Dear Tanenbaum Community,
Today is the 19th Anniversary of September 11, and while the death and destruction of that day will never be forgotten, the story we tell about those events, the motivations of the perpetrators, the ongoing trauma of the victims of that day is already diluted.
According to the FBI, hate crimes against Arabs and Muslims multiplied by 1,600% from 2000 to 2001. And in just the first weeks and months after 9/11, human rights organizations documented hundreds of violent incidents experienced by Arab and Muslim Americans and people mistaken for Arabs or Muslims – like the murder of Sikh gas station owner just days later. This information is juxtaposed against the reality that in the last two-decades, far-right terrorism significantly outpaced other types of terrorism, including from far-left networks and individuals inspired by the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. And in the U.S. itself, more people are killed by far-right extremists than by those who are adherents to Islamist extremism.
Yet discriminatory acts against religious minorities stemming from misinformed stereotypes persist. In whatever way you reflect on the events of 9/11/2001, we invite you to remember this day in a way that does not conflate an entire religion with the tragic events of 9/11, and offer some resources for your consideration, so we may truly never forget what happened.
Read:
- September 11 Fact Sheet: An easy-to-use resource sheet highlighting the facts and history of 9/11.
- Diversity in Islam: A fact sheet exploring the different paths within Islam.
- White Supremacy: An Overview: A comprehensive fact sheet about the varied white supremacist movements and groups.
- Talking Terrorism…Did You Know?: A resource with the latest facts about global terrorism.
- Explaining Extremism and Addressing Islamophobia: Five practical steps about how parents and educators can explain extremism and address Islamophobia.
Watch:
- Extremists in Opposition: A Dangerous Symbiosis: Hear reformed white supremacist Arno Michaelis share his experiences and how the actions and rhetoric of opposing extremist movements fuel each other.
- Controversial Conversation – A Story of friendship between a Sikh and a former skinhead
Act:
- Register for our LIVE WEBINAR, The Effects of Fake News: Media misrepresentations & religious communities reclaiming narratives. September 25, from 12 – 1 pm ET.
- Five Ways to Counter Extremists on Social Media: A “How To” resource sheet for rising above social media extremists and right-wing hate groups.
There is much to repair, much to learn, and so much growth for all of us to move toward a humanity that respects all life.
In remembrance,
Rev. Mark Fowler
CEO, Tanenbaum