Post 9-11 America Discussion Jessica Garrison

How can we talk about national culture and not bring up an event : 9-11 which has so profoundly
impacted our nation and hence our sense our sense of national culture? As Americans we need to
consider the issues of difference, hatred, violence, resentment behind this tragedy and the subsequent
response to it (our involvement in a long term war in the middle east). How are US Americans seen by the
Muslim world? What is at the root of our differences? There are specific political and diplomatic responses to
these questions that we hear from our politicians on a daily basis. I want you to think like an interculturalist
and consider the perspective of the other, the cultural issues, the issues of privilege and oppression as you
understand them. These are complex issues and I do not expect any easy or simple answers. I am not
asking you to answer each of these questions but perhaps you can touch on some of the ideas in the
discussion.

Showing respect to the diverse opinions of your classmates means suspending judgement and really trying
to hear where they are coming from. I ask that you respond to at least one of your classmates.

I want you to explore this theme pf post 9-11 America via film (I am still developing this list and perhaps
you can add to it). Your assignment is to watch any of the following films or one that you are aware of that
deals with the theme of post-911 US culture (documentary or Hollywood feature is fine).
Discussion Assignment (two written paragraphs): Please describe the main idea of the film in
the first paragraph and what you think the main message is. In the second paragraph, please
examine the way in which the charecters approach difference, particularly with a post 9-11 lens.
What do we learn from this film and how could this be used in a classroom? What would be your
main objective in using it, describe the context of your learning and for what kind of audience?
Film options:
"My Name is Khan" is about an Indian Muslim man with Aspergers in a post 9-11 America and his quest to
deliver a message to the president.
"Rendition" about an American woman's Egyptian born husband, who was vanished from an international
airport and taken to a secret prison.
"Beyond Belief" is the true story of two 9-11 American widows who travel to Afghanistan to meet with war
widows from that country
The Visitor is the story of undocumented immigrants from Africa and Palestine and their interaction with
a US American, and Homeland Security

I would like to start off with how unfair it is to anyone with this culture as their roots. I
feel like when we as white people see others with white skin on the news as involved
with shootings and rape and other horrific things that we dont have to within this
country feel ashamed as a race or afraid for our lives. Egyptian born or not, Muslims do
not feel safe in the United States. They are questioned with stares or confrontation. I
watched "American East" (2008) the story of Muslims, heightened islamaphobia in a
post 9-11 world in Los Angeles. And there were many things I took note of from the film.
In the beginning there was an innocent man questioned because of his possessions
including the Koran recordings that he liked to listen to, and certain donations he made
on his money transfer records. Even though the gentleman being questioned was
innocent, and it was just a big mistake, the investigator still crossed the line to research
his money transfers. People with Muslim or Islamic roots have to be very mindful of how
they act and speak because people are on high alert.
They said in the movie that a Jew wont partner with a Muslim; he will eventually make
him their bitch. This is one example of how Muslims see us Americans. They cannot
trust us. Another character Omar is getting married to a white girl, Hes an Egyptian
actor that has played a terrorist in movies, and then accused of actually being a terrorist
in a coffee shop for leaving his bag lying around. American news is constantly feeding
you fear of your own Muslim people. Arabs are paying the price, in summary the reason
for this feud is that People in the Middle East are paying the price so Americans can live
the American dream. The Christian Arabs have to deal with people of their own religion
invading their own country.
There is a 1400 year old story about a man named Muhammad. He got a message from
God about Islam. Everyone was equal, so it spread throughout Arabia. Islamic
civilization, they were like top dog. Europeans didnt like the power this held and they
called these people sand nigger leading to crusades. Christians took back land. Jews
Christians and Muslims were all involved, however Europeans took over Jerusalem. Its
a spiritual place, the land of milk and honey. Then oil came into the picture. Innocent
people are being wrongly accused, just for having a certain belief and having a certain
color of skin, when there isnt really that reverse racism in America. Yes they can hold a
resentment, I would too if I were them, however we as white Americans do not live in
fear everyday for our lives.Pretty soon everyones going to be scared shitless of
anyone with a sun tan was a line from the movie that I held on to. Is the root of our
difference really just the color of our skin? I believe so because not liking someone
because they believe something different than you would lead you to not liking anyone
because we all have vastly different beliefs here in America, thats what makes America
supposedly the land of the free because youre supposed to be able to be whoever you
want to be