Anti-Muslim sentiments and actions in the U.S. are much more than religious intolerance. They function as a form of racism, as they are similarly built on narratives that lead to distorted understandings of people and actions that punish anyone presumed tonbe a group member. This talk focuses on why some aspects of American culture promote Islamophobia, including through its history and media portrayal of Muslim populations around the world. It also looks at the harmful impacts of Islamophobia on Americannmen, women, and youth.