Truthseeker
Non-debating member when I can help myself
Lessons about 9/11 often provoke harassment of Muslim students
Some proposed solutions to this problem quoted from the article:
1. Teach culturally diverse stories
Although it’s common for people to recall how “Islamic extremists” carried out the 9/11 attacks, it’s also true that Muslim immigrants, such as Mohammed Salman Hamdani, lost their lives serving as first responders. Those stories can help counterbalance the negative sentiments that arise from Muslim-blaming narratives that sometimes accompany lessons about 9/11.
2. Examine the social and political effects of 9/11
Teach students how immigration policies became linked to national security. Introduce students to how 9/11 gave rise to the USA Patriot Act, which authorized the broad use of federal surveillance to counter violent extremism, led to the formation of the Department of Homeland Security and informed the so-called “Muslim ban.”
Discuss how 9/11 led to “no-fly” lists and disproportionately affected the surveillance of Muslim Americans. Recount how the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were linked to 9/11.
Show students how Muslims, and people assumed to be Muslim, feared for their personal safety because of all the backlash that followed 9/11.
This can help students better understand contemporary events, such as why Afghan refugees are coming to America, or why airport security increases around Sept. 11 each year.
3. Keep students safe
As the United States prepares for potential terror threats on the anniversary of 9/11, educators bear a responsibility to maintain a safe learning environment. Teachers should pay attention to the conversations between students to ensure that they are not repeating harmful words and actions that target Muslims.
Respond to students who express fear for their personal safety. Educators should consult their state’s anti-bullying policies to get up to speed on how to handle harassment.
But by offering a broader perspective of 9/11 and its aftermath, educators can create a safer learning experience for students as they reflect on 9/11 and how it forever changed Americans’ lives.
Some proposed solutions to this problem quoted from the article:
1. Teach culturally diverse stories
Although it’s common for people to recall how “Islamic extremists” carried out the 9/11 attacks, it’s also true that Muslim immigrants, such as Mohammed Salman Hamdani, lost their lives serving as first responders. Those stories can help counterbalance the negative sentiments that arise from Muslim-blaming narratives that sometimes accompany lessons about 9/11.
2. Examine the social and political effects of 9/11
Teach students how immigration policies became linked to national security. Introduce students to how 9/11 gave rise to the USA Patriot Act, which authorized the broad use of federal surveillance to counter violent extremism, led to the formation of the Department of Homeland Security and informed the so-called “Muslim ban.”
Discuss how 9/11 led to “no-fly” lists and disproportionately affected the surveillance of Muslim Americans. Recount how the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were linked to 9/11.
Show students how Muslims, and people assumed to be Muslim, feared for their personal safety because of all the backlash that followed 9/11.
This can help students better understand contemporary events, such as why Afghan refugees are coming to America, or why airport security increases around Sept. 11 each year.
3. Keep students safe
As the United States prepares for potential terror threats on the anniversary of 9/11, educators bear a responsibility to maintain a safe learning environment. Teachers should pay attention to the conversations between students to ensure that they are not repeating harmful words and actions that target Muslims.
Respond to students who express fear for their personal safety. Educators should consult their state’s anti-bullying policies to get up to speed on how to handle harassment.
But by offering a broader perspective of 9/11 and its aftermath, educators can create a safer learning experience for students as they reflect on 9/11 and how it forever changed Americans’ lives.
