The Cultural Representation and Career Success of Muslim Women in the U.S. in the 21st Century

Abstract

Muslim women, who have often had their voices silenced, have gone from invisible to highly visible in recent years in the United States. This shift has increased stereotypes and fed many tropes to disempower Muslim women. Still, Muslim American women have succeeded in many major industries, including sports, politics, fashion, arts, and journalism. Unfortunately, they often face discrimination like racism and Islamophobia due to inaccurate media representations and stereotypes. This treatment of Muslim women in prominent American industries is unexpected based on their socioeconomic status. More accurate media representations are needed to counteract the discriminatory acts that stem from misconceptions about the Muslim community and, in particular, about Muslim women. I will highlight that even though they are so successful, Muslim American women are treated unjustly in their respective fields, whether in sports, modeling, or numerous other industries. Regarding the methodology for this paper, these women’s experiences, representations, and the overall impact they have left in their fields will be analyzed by reading biographies and scientific articles and assessing how they still face discrimination.