labels and phobias

Labels are funny things. 

We generally allow people to self-label, even when the labels reflect a reality that is somewhere between unclear and misleading (e.g., most self-styled liberals and conservatives).

The use of "phobia" to describe some folks is a notable exception. For one thing, the state being described is rarely phobic/fear-based, which indicates the labeler's lack of clear thinking. (Can their claims be reasonably dismissed out-of-hand simply for this?) 

For another, these matters are usually complicated. So, such labeling is simplistic and seems designed to illiberally squelch free thought and free speech. 

Here's an application of this to "Islamophobia"...