Backlash 9/11

Book Talk/Signing: Backlash 9/11 – Middle Eastern and Muslim Americans Respond

Wed, April 8, 2009 7:00 pm at Alwan for the Arts

Backlash 9/11 – Middle Eastern and Muslim Americans Respond by Anny Bakalian and Mehdi
Bozorgmehr

Co-sponsored by AMEJA - Arab and Middle Eastern Journalist Association (www.ameja.org)

Free and Open to the Public


For most Americans, September 11, 2001 symbolizes the moment when their security was
altered. For Middle Eastern and Muslim Americans, 9/11 also ushered in a backlash in the form
of hate crimes, discrimination, and a string of devastating government initiatives. From the
viewpoint of the targeted populations, the backlash spoke louder than official proclamations to
the contrary. Instead of capitulating, however, organizations representing Middle Eastern and
Muslim Americans mobilized to demonstrate their commitment to the United States while
defending their rights. They distanced themselves from terrorists and condemned their actions;
educated the public about the Middle East and the Muslim faith; and actively involved their
constituents in voter-registration, know-your-rights forums, and civic and political integration
activities.


This book provides the first comprehensive analysis of the impact of the post-9/11 events on
Middle Eastern and Muslim Americans as well as their organized response for inclusion in
America’s social, religious and political mosaic. Through fieldwork and interviews with leaders
of community-based organizations across the country, the authors have researched the
unfolding of this process since its inception. Backlash9/11 introduces a new theoretical model
of backlash and mobilization during times of crisis.


About the Authors:


Anny Bakalian is Associate Director and Mehdi Bozorgmehr is Co-director of the Middle East
and Middle Eastern American Center (MEMEAC) at the Graduate Center, City University of New
York. Bozorgmehr is also Associate Professor of Sociology at the City College and the Graduate
Center, City University of New York.


Early Praise:


"Bakalian and Bozorgmehr provide a comprehensive account of the processes by which certain
American religious and ethnic groups were transformed into scapegoats and objects of hate."—
Herbert J. Gans, Robert S. Lynd Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Columbia University


"The recent history of the United States has taken many strange, unexpected turns, not least of
which was the way in which the tragedy of 9/11/2001 triggered a backlash against the Middle
Easterners living in the United States, which, in turn, pushed this population into activism and
transforming them into full Americans. Bakalian and Bozorgmehr's humane and beautifully
written book is the essential window into this process, providing a fascinating, original account
of an important aspect of contemporary American life."—Roger Waldinger, Distinguished
Professor of Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles


"This is the first truly comprehensive look at the challenges faced by the Middle Eastern and
Muslim American organizations defending the rights and liberties of their constituents in the
aftermath of 9/11."—Muzaffar Chishti, Director, Migration Policy Institute Office at New York
University School of Law


"Bakalian and Bozorgmehr cast the post-9/11 backlash unleashed by American society and
government against Muslims and Arab-Americans in a comparative historical perspective. This
indispensable work concludes, somewhat unexpectedly, that rather than foster alienation, the
backlash prompted a mobilization of the targeted groups to seek greater integration in
American society."—Aristide Zolberg, Walter Eberstadt Professor of Political Science, New
School University


"Bakalian and Bozorgmehr have captured the untold story of how the tragedy of 9/11 altered
the landscape for Middle Eastern communities in America. The quality and scope of this
research not only documents a critical chapter in our nation's struggle with tolerance and racial
profiling, it brings to light the deep impact the backlash continues to have on the ethnic and
religious institutions that serve the affected populations. It is a thorough and timely chronicle
of the internal and external challenges to American pluralism during the ongoing 'war on
terror'."—Helen Samhan, Executive Director, Arab American Institute Foundation.


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