Jackson State University News April 25, 2017 Is Muslim the new black? Panel encourages education and conversation to combat bias "Samuel L. Jackson called Muslims the new black kids in America," said Maryam Abdur-Rashied, a JSU clinical psychology major at Jackson State University. In celebration of Islamic Heritage Month, the Margaret Walker Center hosted "Tackling the issues: The Entanglement of Islamophobia and Anti-black violence" panel discussion on April 20. Dr. Sakinah Abdur Rashied served as moderator, and panelists included: ? Dr. Berthrone L. Mock-Muhammad - Jackson cardiologist ? Dr. Robert Luckett - director of the Margaret Walker Center ? Maryam Abdur-Rashied - education coordinator at the International Museum of Muslim Culture (IMMC) ? Jed Oppenheim - member of Jackson Public School Board Maryam Abdur-Rashied's quote of Jackson alluded to the sweeping generalization, perception and treatment of Muslims in America against the backdrop of racism that African-Americans experience. "We thought it was important to have this conversation at an HBCU because as African-American Muslims we often find ourselves fighting both struggles." She said, "We know people in the diverse Muslim community that are not getting involved. On the other end, we know people in the anti-black violence movement that are really concerned about Islamophobia." Maryam Abdur-Rashied added that both sides had connected interests and both are necessary allies to end anti-Muslim sentiments and violence against African-Americans. Statistics show that after Sept. 11, Islamophobia surged and was further inflamed during the recent presidential campaign and election. Amid the aftermath of the twin towers attack, Mock-Muhammad, who was working at the Cleveland Clinic, said he witnessed Muslims "painfully brutalized and beat up." He also said he noticed a distinct "role reversal" in the way he was treated. "After 9/11, my American accent made people feel more comfortable," he divulged. The cardiologist explained that when he would be in an elevator, for instance, women no longer clutched their purses and moved away from him as he once experienced. Instead, they would gravitate toward him if someone else was in the elevator who spoke with an accent or appeared to be a foreigner. Mock-Muhammad describes himself as "an international Muslim with multicultural connections" that stem from an array of studies that include the black power movement, the Black Muslim organization, orthodox Muslim to Sunni and Shia denominations of Islam. While serving in Desert Storm and stationed in Saudi Arabia, the doctor began to develop a moderate interest in Islam and the Muslim culture. At that time, Mock-Muhammad admits that he believed Muslims were light-skinned Arabs and he was surprised to find that many looked like him. "We worked closely with Saudi Arabian Muslims and their air force pilots, and I found some commonalities in how they appeared, not like the typical, so that caused a discussion," he said. Although each speaker imparted a mix of expertise and intimate knowledge of the topic, all seemed to share a recurring theme - uncomfortable conversations and education are a component to combat or eliminate explicit and implicit bias. "It's been really important to open up the community to realize we're much more diversified then we come across, and we all have multiple identities," said Oppenheim. He urged that more young people need to see and recognize what diversity means so as they mature they do not replicate the hatred and misunderstanding that is prevalent in the world. "Children are freethinking until they conform to the boundaries of school." Oppenheim said, "They start as freethinkers but then they get kind of boxed in as they go up this hill of education and academia. While it's important to do this on a college campus, anything we can be doing (like this) in the communities is equally important." Luckett expounds on the practicality of education beyond the pursuit of degrees and employment. "It's when we, as faculty, teach our students to think, write, and speak critically and analytically. With those skills, young people can be prepared to tackle the problems of the future, including anti-black violence and Islamophobia." Local graphic designer Heidi Barnett shared that she experienced an awakening later in life when she participated in Leadership Greater Jackson. "The rose-colored glasses are gone," she laughs. Barnett, a wife and mother, also believes knowledge is crucial. She said, "What brought me out was continuing education. I have children. We have four. The more we learn the more we know, the more knowledge we have the more we can share." SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/