In this essay, Type Media Center fellow Rozina Ali reflects on the parallels between the state of Islamophobia in the United States in the present day and in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001. Ali delves into the ways in which historical patterns repeat themselves, depicted clearly through reactions to the Israel-Hamas war. Ali’s essay reflects Type Media Center’s commitment to informing social movements and catalyzing change.
Highlights
- Historical Parallels: In her essay, Ali draws parallels between the post-9/11 spike in Islamophobia in the United States, and the current fear many Muslim Americans face of a resurgence of violence against their community. In both Ali’s comparison and her statements that we should not repeat history, she reflects Type’s goal of informing and uplifting social movements.
- Contextualizing Comparisons: While comparing the reactions to the September 11 attacks and the Israel-Palestine conflict, Ali also raises significant differences between the two situations. Despite similar responses from governments and citizens alike, Ali notes that “Israel dropped more bombs on Gaza [within the first week] than the United States did on Afghanistan in a year.” This differentiation, among others cited by Ali, serves to emulate Type’s focus on addressing injustice and inequality.
- International Ties: Ali maintains that, despite the attacks happening abroad, “this is an intimate war for many Americans”, with many in the U.S. having familial ties to both Palestine and Israel. She also writes of the retribution many are facing in western countries for showing support towards Palestinians. In acknowledging this connection, she exhibits Type’s goal of sparking national and global conversations.
- Lasting Impact: In the article, Ali notes the lasting impact of the 9/11 attacks on the Muslim community in the U.S., including data showing that the levels of anti-Muslim hate crimes spiked in 2001 and did not ever return to their former levels. Ali suggests that lessons learned from the aftershocks of the September 11 attacks have been forgotten, and posits that, although history seems to be repeating itself, “we don’t have to be here again”. This reflection on the larger, long-term impact of these attacks on public opinion mirrors Type’s mission to catalyze change.
Type Media Center’s Note
This article by our fellow Rozina Ali reflects Type Media Center’s dedication to nurturing independent journalism that not only informs but strives for societal change. Through her insight into the parallels between the 2001 attacks and the Israel-Palestine conflict, Ali contributes to our broader mission of producing high-impact journalism that sparks national and global conversations.