I think its the "Quiet" Before the "Storm."
I learned about it much the same way you did, and was astonished to hear people adimately claim that racism did NOT exist!!
One problem is some boards make it a violation to link sites like that so even when you try to raise awareness you reach some pretty bizarre obstacles. You remember the crap when 9E happened? Wasn't it amazing how even for the briefest of moments, traditional racism was put on the back burner? I say "traditional" because Islamophobia was on the quick rise. When we get attacked if it is severe enough to usher martial law we'll be in a very high tech 1824.
I'm afraid you're going over my head: 9E = 9/11
high tech 1824 = ?
I think what you're saying is that racism has its traditional roots in the USA against blacks, however it could easily morph into a more contemporary form of Religious Intolerance.
This is a good point. I wouldn't think that the number of Muslims in the USA would really make is worthwhile for terrorists to try to ignite their war against the west in the USA.
However, it might work in Europe, where, despite the atheistic tolerance they like to display, there's a long culture of Religious Intolerance, particularly for Muslims that are becomming a larger minority on the continent every year. If Islamic Terrorists set off a dirty nuc in Berlin or Paris, then I have no doubt you'd see rail cars filling up with muslims in Munich or Lyon.