The September 11th attacks forever changed Americans' perceptions of Muslims, Arabs and South Asians.  Communities that were either invisible to the mainstream or viewed as obscure new immigrants became collectively suspect of terrorist inclinations.  Their common religion or ethnicity with the 9/11 hijackers indicted them as guilty by association unless they could individually prove their innocence.  As a result, members of these diverse communities across the United States have experienced various forms of discrimination, hate crimes, and profiling by government and private actors. 

Despite the passage of more than a decade  since the terrorist attacks, the anti-Muslim bias continues to rise among some Americans while other Americans are courageously defending all Americans' rights to equal protection, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech.  Therefore, it is incumbent upon all Americans to educate themselves about the adverse changes in law and policy that have eroded civil liberties and civil rights in the United States.  Congress expanded the executive's authorities to spy, investigate, and prosecute individuals based on activities that were once considered protected by the First Amendment.  Similarly, fear-based arguments have caused courts to widdle away at the Fourth Amendment's protections against unlawful search and seizure.  In the end, all Americans are at risk of losing the rights that historically distinguished the United States from other nations.

If you are interested in learning more about these issues, visit our News and Events page for Sahar Aziz's latest articles, scholarship, and speeches.  Professor Aziz is a weekly guest on XChange Radio every Wednesday at 6:30 pm central time.

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