Assignment #2

Identity & Belonging

What I learned from the paper:
One thing that specifically stood out to me was how Muslim students did not not view being Muslim and being American as conflicting identities, and rather struggled with how others viewed them, whether that meant teachers or peers that did not understand Islam and based their views off of stereotypes. It was clear to me that students were strongly aware of their identities and held onto them tightly, even while the public school environment that they were in did not always make space for them to be that way. 

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Why this matters as a mentor:
This matters to me as a mentor because it is a reminder of how imperative it is to make students feel like they don’t have to choose between their identity and their education. It is so important that students feel accepted for who they are without having to change any aspect of their identity as they are much more likely to feel confident and engaged. 

School Environment & Power

What I learned from the paper:
I learned from the paper that schools often view cultural norms as the truth which makes Muslim students feel like they are an “exception”. Things like teacher misunderstandings of Islam, or lack of accommodations puts Muslim students in an uncomfortable position where they have to explain themselves or feel like they are different from their classmates. 

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Why this matters as a mentor:
This is important as a mentor because it can help students navigate these systems and be a reminder to them these challenges they may be facing are not their fault. Even the slightest acts of support can make school feel more manageable and much less isolating. 

Support Systems & Community

What I learned from the paper:
I learned how support systems played such a huge role in helping Muslim students feel grounded. Community centers and families helped students process the negative experiences that they were facing at school and reinforced their sense of identity.

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Why this matters as a mentor:
This is important to me as a mentor because having someone who listens and validates students' experiences can make a huge difference, especially when school feels like an unwelcoming environment for kids. 

Continuity & Change

Something that Muslim students are dealing with today are Islamophobic jokes, especially ones tied to 9/11 or terrorism. I’ve witnessed kids make “bombing” or 9/11 jokes at school and just laugh them off, but these comments can be very hard to hear for Muslim students. This paper does a good job at capturing how stereotypes shape everyday interactions, some of which have not gone away. One significant difference today is that Muslim students have much more access to community and visibility than they did in 2003. Whether through Muslim Student Associations, social media, or just open conversations regarding the topic of Islamophobia, students today are much more likely to seek support and speak up. While many challenges still exist, there are many more spaces where Muslim students feel seen.