I think that's a very good point being made, one that goes back to the idea of the "triple gaze" we've mentioned so often since our discussion on Race and Class. The identity of marginalized peoples tends to matter less than what their 'perceived identities' are, they are often being defined by how a white society views them.

This can be the case for someone seen as Black, Asian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, or any other minority group. How someone truly identifies doesn't matter to the white majority, who just make assumptions and assign a minority's labels for them. If assigning someone as a 'Scary Black Man' is racist, so too should be the assigning of someone as a 'Scary Muslim Man'.

To me, Islamophobia and anti-Indigenous racism are deeply intertwined and continue to persist today. Both Indigenous and Muslim identities are complex and differ across the world, making it easier for those in power to create hierarchical narratives. What makes these struggles so connected is that 'Indigeneity' takes different forms. For example, the Indigenous peoples of North Africa, such as the Amazigh, are often Muslim, creating a layered identity that can be exploited to perpetuate white Christian supremacy. As you pointed out, both Indigenous and Muslim identities have been historically portrayed as ‘savage’ and uncivilized, reinforcing the same colonial and dehumanizing narratives.

On a more personal note, I recently had an experience highlighting the need for solidarity. In a discussion about our environment class, I mentioned my interest in exploring the intersection of colonialism and environmental issues. The person responded bluntly: ‘I don’t care about Indigenous or whatever.’ At the time, I was unsure how to respond—not just as an Amazigh person, but out of respect for Indigenous communities everywhere.

Reflecting on it now, that comment reaffirmed for me that even though Islamophobia and anti-Indigenous racism may manifest differently today, they are deeply intertwined through a shared colonial history. This connection makes solidarity all the more important in confronting both.