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SCHOOL PROGRAM TO PREVENT HATE CRIMES AND HARASSMENT Resources and Tips for Preventing Hate Crimes and Harassment of Students of Muslim and Middle Eastern Background* Overview With tens of thousands of children of Middle Eastern and Muslim background attending school, ING is concerned about the climate they may face due to current world events and related media coverage of such events and the ongoing war on terrorism. Research studies show that there is a rise in discrimination, harassment, and hate crimes during times of conflict involving people from a particular ethnic or religious group. During the Gulf War in 1991 and in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, there was a peak in such incidents in schools across the country, which affected thousands of innocent children. According to surveys as well as a month-long research study by a local reporter in the San Francisco Bay Area (see article: Suffer the Little Muslims), such incidents have continued to be a problem in schools. Common Types of Discrimination, Harassment, or Other Issues Since 9/11 1. Racially and religiously motivated teasing and name-calling are common. Common slurs include referring to students or their parents as "Bin Laden," and students as "killer," "terrorist," "camel jockey," and "sand nigger." 2. Harassment and degrading comments made in unmonitored areas, such as school buses, hallways, bathrooms, school parking lots, cafeterias, locker rooms and libraries. These actions are generally not monitored or addressed. For example, following the Ft. Hood attacks a ten year old Muslim student was playing with a group of friends on the playground at school when one of them asked, “Who is a Muslim?” He replied in the affirmative. The questioner responded: “I’m going to kill you for being a Muslim.” 3. Discrimination or harassment against Muslim girls wearing a headscarf (hijab) such as being called "rag heads" and having their scarves pulled off. 4. Classroom discussions about the war on terrorism, wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, the Ft. Hood attacks or other incidents that often focus on "us" and "them." Such discussions may unintentionally relegating students of Arab and Muslim background to a position of "the enemy," having to defend themselves or their families. 5. Classroom discussions often lack sensitivity towards innocent civilians of Middle Eastern or Muslim background who have died in Iraq or Afghanistan. Recommendations to Prevent Hate Crimes and Discrimination We request teachers and school administrators to exert a special effort to: 1. Be aware of, understand, and empathize with the challenges that students of Middle Eastern and Muslim background face during times of conflict involving the Middle East or Muslim countries or people. Many students may feel overwhelmed by events and embattled in school, feeling that they need to either justify or explain events. Some may exhibit fear of coming to school or being academically punished for their views. They may feel embarrassed, humiliated or degraded by statements or responses to current events and may generally feel that their own feelings do not matter. 2. Be sensitive in classroom discussions relating to the war on terrorism or any other conflict concerning people of the region. Be supportive in words and deeds of a collective and inclusive environment in the classroom and school, and avoid discussions that may associate a student with "them." 3. Implement a zero tolerance policy for any form of discrimination or hate in the school or classroom, whether perpetrated by students or staff, and provide well-defined instructions and procedures for implementation of this policy. 4. Acknowledge and address personal views on current events which may compromise the school's or staff's academic responsibility to be objective and neutral in education. For example, school staff cannot appear to endorse a particular political point of view. Teachers, in particular, should allow for questions and differences of opinion, which must be grounded in civil discourse and mutual respect. 5. Address the issue of prejudice and its roots in the classroom or even school wide through discussions, posters, assemblies or other forums. Encourage students to relate and discuss their own experience with discrimination. 6. Invite guest speakers into classrooms or for assemblies to address common stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslims. Sponsor cultural diversity workshops for teachers and faculty as well. To schedule an ISB certified speaker for your district, school, or classrooms, simply complete the online speaker request form. A Safe Learning Environment for All Students These issues not only impact students of Middle Eastern and Muslim background, but also students of Sikh, Hindu, or other religious or ethnic backgrounds who may be confused with Arabs or Muslims, or who may be targeted because it presents an opportunity to those who harbor feelings of animosity or prejudice towards certain groups. Discrimination and harassment of any group is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. School should be a place of learning and cooperation for all students, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. Teachers and school administrators can be proactive in building such a place, by creating a safe, comfortable and supportive environment for all students, and preventing hate before it starts. Resources and Tips Please feel free to download these fact sheets to distribute to your school’s teachers, administrators and other staff. Educator Resources • Fact Sheet: Examples of Incidences and Issues that Have Impacted Students of or Who are Perceived to Be Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Muslim Background During Times of Crisis (download PDF) • Tips for Teachers (download PDF) * Adapted with permission from "Protocols for Addressing Issues Concerning Public School Students of Middle Eastern/Arab/Muslim Background When Catastrophe Has Occurred", September 14, 2001, by Sharifa Alkhateeb, Muslim Education Council. Education Administrator Resources • School practices for supporting faculty and students in reducing potential discrimination or harassment towards Middle Eastern or Muslim students (download PDF) San Jose Police Department Information Bulletin for Schools Be sure to read the information bulletin for student policies as well as policy guidelines for teachers and administrators by the San Jose Police Department. Important information is also provided on free speech rights by students and adults in K-12 public schools. Links to Additional School Resources for Preventing Hate • U.S. Department of Education. Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Manual for Schools and Communities, October 1998. • Teaching Tolerance, A Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Be Prepared. • Partners Against Hate. Educators Against Hate Resources. • National Youth Violence Prevention Center. Elements of Effective School Violence Prevention Plans. • National Association of School Psychologists. Promoting Tolerance and Peace in Children: Tips for Parents and Schools. • Crisis Management Institute. Guides to Help Teachers, Parents and Children Cope with Terrorism Issues. Published Articles by American Muslims • Religious Prejudice Simmers Eboo Patel, USA Today – March 8, 2010 Learn about the impact of the Iraq War from the perspective of three volunteers who are members of the Islamic Speakers Bureau. • The War on Our Streets/Curbing Hate at HomeImran Maskatia, San Francisco Chronicle - March 21, 2003 • Schools Must Beware of Harassment of Arab StudentsFarhan Syed, San Jose Mercury News - March 27, 2003 • Prevent Hate in SchoolsUzma Husaini, Oakland Tribune - March 29, 2003 Previous Level Links . . .  Request an Islamic Speakers Bureau presentation  Request an Interfaith Speakers panel Educational Resources Catalog for Teaching About Islam and World Religions Letter to K-12 Teachers, Administrators and Staff Professional Development Workshops for Educators and Administrators Recommended Educational Resources for Teaching World History, World Religions and Global Studies Teaching About Religion: Do's and Don'ts ING and the First Amendment Center Tips for Teaching About Muslims in the Context of Social Sciences and History Calendar of Important Islamic Dates Ramadan Information Sheet Hajj Information Sheet Islamic New Year Information Sheet Book Reviews and Analyses of 7th Grade Literature Ramadan and Eid Arts and Crafts Kit for Grades K-6 Evaluation Findings: Professional Development Workshops |
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