Muslim American Perceptions Hardly Changed – Still Facing Discrimination
As Muslim moms, dads, grandparents, family members and community members, it’s critical to arm our children with the realities of what typical Americans “perceive” us to be, who we are, what we do, and how we think.
Now, as optimistic, fun-loving, and open-minded as I am–since birth, I have often scared people because they thought I was naive to think the world is so rosey and peachy-keen. Now, I never assumed people to be as blissful (which is a good thing, mashaAllah) and ultrusitic as I, but I don’t think this world is all doom and gloom either…and remember my babies and I lived in a war zone for over a year!
So, despite 9/11 and all has occurred with Muslim hate crime, I continue to live my life optimistically only because I have no fear accept to please Allah by living by the Glorious Qur’an and striving my best to live by the Sunnah.
But,regardless how I feel, it’s my duty to protect my daughters and the number one way is with education and building our self-confidence based on the truth surrounding them.
So, when I was first exposed to the first set of research below by introduction of Ben of Mediacurve.com (comments to the CNN media request), I sat all my girls down to read and discuss each and every single slide, also linked below.
Hijabis in America are seen as Different
MediaCurves.com – What a Difference a Shawl Makes – Perceptions Differ of Woman With and Without a Shawl on her Head (January 2008)
Not surprisingly, nothing has changed a year later.
Muslims still face overwhelming amount of discrimination
Muslims Widely Seen As Facing Discrimination – Pew Forum (2010 surveyed)
- Views of Religious Similarities and Differences
- Views of Islam and Muslim
- About the Survey
- Full Report: Views of Religious Similarities and Differences
MUSLIMS WIDELY SEEN AS FACING DISCRIMINATION (PDF version -24 pgs.) - Topline questionnaire (9 pgs.)
While there’s much for details to go through in the Pew’s detailed research above, it is imperative that I also take the time to go through each and every page with my young daughters as well.
Will you arm your children with knowledge, regardless of their age?
Our girls are 6, 8 and 9 years old.
I’m eager to hear what you have to say. Please comment below.
What are Personalized Learning Centers?
Continuing with our series “Creating the Ideal Islamic Educational System in America” :
3.We don’t need School Reform we need an Overhaul
2. Education of Muslim Children – Challenges and Opportunities (Problems with Islamic Schools)
1. Failures of Modern Schooling – Islamic Perspective
Basically, a Personalized Learning Center is institutionalizing “home school”…availing homeschool families more opportunities for them at the convenience of one area location.
And, more information is available at the Association for Personalized Learning Schools & Services, founded and directed by Jeff Rice. A-PLUS for short.
Personalized Learning is a unique, blended classroom and nonclassroom-based public educational model that is tailored to the needs and interests of each individual student. Personalized Learning is a 21st century, “on the leading edge” approach to public education that honors and recognizes the unique gifts, skills, passions, and attributes of each child. Personalized Learning is dedicated to developing individualized learning programs for each child whose intent is to engage each child in the learning process in the most productive and meaningful way to optimize each child’s learning potential and success.
The key attributes that comprise the Personalized Learning model are based upon a solid foundation of the latest educational research findings as to how students learn most successfully, including a strong emphasis on parental involvement, smaller class sizes, more one-on-one teacher and student interaction, attention to differences in learning styles, student-driven participation in developing the learning process, technology access, varied learning environments, teacher and parent development programs, and choices in curriculum programs. No other educational model offered in today’s public education system has integrated these proven educational research results in such an in-depth and comprehensive manner to serve the diverse needs of today’s public education students.
Of the 46 PLCs in California right now, many have multiple options:
For example, full-time enrollment (academics & extra curricular), or part-time enrollment (extra curriculars and specialized classes).
As a homeschool family,
- If I had access to a gym–sign us up!
- Week-days Arabic or Qur’an classes…I’m in line!
- An organization that sets up all the field trips, and all I hafta do is attend…where’s the registration form!?
- After-school programs with Muslims and non-Muslims kids? Yeehah! Right now…it’s an either-or population in CT. Like, wassup with that!?
The only problems with PLCs!?!?
- These are ALL charter schools ONLY in the state of California!
- Charter public schools can NOT be affiliated with any religion.
Insha’Allah, someone will step up to the plate. But, here’s the catch! It’s hard to turn-over an already corrupt school to a Personalized Learning Center.
Like they say “it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks”.
We need forward-thinkers, risk-takers, though-leaders…Entrepreneurs!
We need parents that demand the VERY best for their children. We need volunteers, community leaders, Action-minded professionals!
Can we achieve this as an ummah!? Insha’Allah, we must! Insha’Allah, I believe our time is coming very soon….
Whadda u think!? Comment below.
