Claiming Space for the Muslim American Experience

• In Event: Storied Lives Across the Globe

Abstract

The lived educational experiences of Muslim American youth are deeply affected by the white, mainstream landscape where they navigate their realities as a minoritized and demonized group. Muslim American youth experience a distinct marginalization experience of challenges and resilience, invalidation and strength, as they navigate their intersectional realities with hyphenations and multiplicities of identity at play (Sirin & Fine, 2008). White control over the narrative of Muslim Americans either creates a story of oppression of Muslims by other Muslims, or spins a tale of terrorism. This paper is centered around a narrative inquiry of 15 female Muslim American students around how they have navigated both Muslim and non-Muslim educational spaces in the United States.

Author

• Noor Ali, Northeastern University
  Presenting Author