Perspective: Parents, we need to teach our children about the dangers of hate-laced speech against Muslims
By Hena Khan April 9 at 9:00 AM When I was in elementary school, a boy called me “Indira Gandhi.” It was intended as an insult, but I was more surprised than offended. Gandhi was the former female Prime Minister of India, which wasn’t too shabby.
I regularly hear alarming stories of Muslim girls getting their hijabs yanked off. Muslim kids are being singled out and harassed for their faith by fellow students and sometimes even teachers and administrators. In one case that made national news last year, an elementary-aged child received sloppily handwritten death threats in her cubby, of all places.
I came home and asked my sons, now in middle and high school, about what I had heard. I said, “These kids live in our county, and they experienced this in school.” And my kids, like the others, nodded their heads and said, “Oh, yeah.” They apparently heard the same types of things all the time, too. When I asked why they hadn’t told me, it was because no one was saying these things directly “to” them.
My son understood this in theory, but he still hadn’t brought it up to his friends when I asked later. I get it. When you already feel different, and are associated with a group that is being vilified, it’s hard not to want to hide or just blend in, especially if you aren’t oozing extra self-confidence.
Anti-Muslim speech and attitudes are dangerous. They are the seeds of hate that can grow, fester and turn violent, not only on the playground, but as we saw in New Zealand recently, in unthinkable ways.
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Perspective | Muslim American girls need role models, but they are hard to findSo I take my daughter to meet women who are making a difference, even if they aren't famous.
Weiterlesen »
Perspective | Muslim American girls need to see their role models reflected in the spotlight, tooPerspective: Muslim American girls need to see their role models reflected in the spotlight, too
Weiterlesen »
From the ashes of genocide, Islam rises in RwandaWhen the genocide began in Rwanda 25 years ago, its tiny Muslim community refused to take part in the killings. Their stance inspired thousands to become Muslim in what was once called Africa’s most Catholic country.
Weiterlesen »
Have you been to the mosque next door?Muslim contact with the Aboriginals of Australia predates the European conquest, but often the country’s small Muslim population is ignored or feared. One century-old mosque in Brisbane is aiming to change that by opening its doors to non-Muslims.
Weiterlesen »
Is ‘French Islam’ an attempt to control Muslims in France?French President Emmanuel Macron has advocated for a ‘French Islam’, a controversial term that was also used by former presidents. We spoke to French Muslim activist Abdelaziz Chaambi, on how words politicians use impact everyday life for Muslims.
Weiterlesen »
Perspective | Muslim American girls need to see their role models reflected in the spotlight, tooPerspective: Muslim American girls need to see their role models reflected in the spotlight, too
Weiterlesen »
Perspective | Muslim American girls need role models, but they are hard to findSo I take my daughter to meet women who are making a difference, even if they aren't famous.
Weiterlesen »
European Muslims seek protective laws in the face of rising hate crimesMuslims demand legal protection in the face of daily attacks by far-right extremists, yet European politicians resist recognising Islamophobia as a problem
Weiterlesen »
Perspective | The power of imagination, and other parenting lessons from Calvin and HobbesPerspective: The power of imagination, and other parenting lessons from Calvin and Hobbes
Weiterlesen »
Perspectives: Without internet, 364 million children are falling behindIf the digital divide continues, a booming global population will be matched by an equally booming youth unemployment crisis, writes Henrietta Fore, executive director of UNICEF.
Weiterlesen »