Media Analysis for a Cultural Snapshot
Our Arab/Muslim Friends as Portrayed in the Media:
Time Magazine article Hostile Arabs
This article is linked from the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee home page offers safety tips to American Middle-Easterners who will possibly face racial discrimination in their schools or homes because of more terrorist activities.
This is from a YouTube search of "Muslim Children"
Analysis
Now, I have lived among Palestinians and the first YouTube video I posted is not at all what I experienced among the Muslim children. Most were excited to see us and the few who weren't were frustrated with American support of the Israelis who oppress their people.
I had to search for quite a bit on YouTube to be able to find a positive video that portrays the religious beliefs of the majority of Muslims.
I am amazed that so many Americans misunderstand the Muslims. However, as I skim through our media and find articles about Jihad it is hard for the American public to believe anything else. To clear up the misconceptions about Islam, it is a peace-loving religion seeking a self-controlled lifestyle. There is a small (very small considering how many Muslims there are in the world) that have created a violent sixth pillar of Islam. These Islamic radicals gain all the media attention, so the culture of power is forced to see all Muslims as threats. And unfortunately they are continually discriminated because they don't have a strong voice as a minority culture.
How this affects students in the classroom and teacher strategies to assist these students:
This is an account of a Muslim girl attending public school in America
Here is her story of her childhood in public school and moving to a private Muslim school where she has become a teacher herself.
When teachers create an environment of passive racism, these students with different beliefs and backgrounds suffer. They are bullied and teased because other students have only been given misinformation. Quite often these students feel as if they shouldn't share their opinions or views for the fear of being different. If the classroom is not a safe environment for the student, then their ability to learn will be jeopardized.
Unfortunately, the religious clothing that the Muslim females wear is seen in a negative light by most Americans. We assume it is a sign of male dominance in their society. However, it represents their modesty and religious sacrifices, so it should be condoned. Also, Muslims celebrate the holy month of Ramadan and fast during the daylight hours. Students during this time need to be carefully watched to ensure they are understanding the material as it may be more difficult for them to focus.
Even further, this student could possibly be an immigrant or refugee fleeing the struggles of war in their home country. This difficult past was left in the hopes of a better future. These students need to feel that they can be successful in the classroom.
Teachers should first inform all the students about the different culture, so that there are no misconceptions. If the Muslim student is willing to share personally then it opens his/her ability to communicate about the topic in a respected way. In the process the teacher will be creating an environment of sociocultural learning. Also, teachers should not force assimilation on these Arab students. It is important to respect their religious beliefs and be aware of possible cultural conflicts. Promote biculturalism in a way that prevents resistance to the classroom culture. Furthermore, create a nurturing pedagogy that will only disprove the deficit theory.
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