We do not need to wait for a final report to recognize the climate around American Muslims. When people with power spend months portraying Muslims, mosques, Muslim schools and Muslim civic organizations as threats, hate becomes more dangerous because it starts to sound reasonable.
After the San Diego shooting, there were statements, condemnations, prayers and calls for unity. Those things matter. Communities under attack deserve to know their pain is seen. But statements after violence are not enough.
Members of the House should leave the Sharia-Free America Caucus. Party leaders should refuse to legitimize hearings built on anti-Muslim fearmongering. Local officials should meet with Muslim communities before tragedy strikes, not only after.
Lorrie Adam is communications manager at the San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, working to amplify Muslim voices on civil rights, immigration and free speech issues.