1. Space Making & Voice Finding for the Muslim American Narrative
Noor Ali
March 2018

2. A bit about myself- Positionality
Personal Journey
Professional Journey
Educational Journey

3. Problem Statement
Range of institutionalized oppression against Muslims 1
Increase in Islamophobic rhetoric 2
Underrepresentation of the “hyphenated identity” experience. 3
A space making for counter-stories of challenge and resilience. 4

4. Educational Experience
Using Critical Race Theory as a lens to study the educational experience of this demographic.
Spectrum of educational experience to include formal and informal aspects.
The academic learning experience of students includes curriculum, text, and the role of teachers.
Learning beyond text through opportunities for or engagement in extra curricular. Interactions with peers on these students’ experiences.
Educational Experience

5. Issues of Identity
Muslim American students experience multiplicities of identity
Islamophobia has an impact on identity making and navigation for students
Muslim American students struggle with identity navigation in areas of constructing a social presence
Religious organizations have an impact on Muslim American students’ identity.

6. The acculturation process explains integration, assimilation, separation or marginalization that impact minorities.
Acculturation among Muslims hold similar challenges
The mosque impacts acculturation of Muslim students.
Islamophobia has impact on acculturation choices made by Muslim American students.
Cultural capital and cultural deficit impact on marginalized communities.
Acculturation

7. Theoretical Framework- Critical Race Theory
Endemic Nature of Racism
Whitenesss as Property & Norm
Intersectionality
Counter-narratives

8. What are the lived experiences of Muslim American high school seniors in their formal and informal educational journeys?
Research Question

9. The Research Process
Methodology
Recruitment
Participants

10. Hafsa’s Story
I wouldn't know how it's like not to be an American because I haven't lived anywhere else.

11. Amber’s Story
I think the fact that I have such light skin and the fact that I don't wear a hijab is what's kept me from ever experiencing outright discrimination.

12. Selma’s Story
I'm so ready to represent the Muslim Ummah in a way that I know others have done before me, but I want to hop on that bandwagon as well.

13. Rida’s Story
But the school environment does not expand me as an American person within American culture basically. It's like a very closed-off type of universe. It doesn't feel like we're very connected to the world outside.

14. Findings & Implications
Values vs. Culture
The Place of Islamic Education
Enabling or Disabling?
Empowering Our Students- beyond awareness

15. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
Values vs. Culture

16. The Place of Islamic Education

17. Enabling or Disabling?

18. Empowering Our Students- beyond awareness