Responding to Terrorism and War - Information for Educators
Preventing Harassment and Hate Crimes
In the aftermath of terrorist attacks, it is not uncommon for children and teens to respond with feelings of hatred, rage, and a desire for revenge. It is the responsibility of the adults in their lives to help them to deal with their intense emotions, to understand the facts of the situation, and to channel their strong feelings in positive directions. Without such guidance, children and teens may scapegoat and attack innocent parties. After the September 11th attacks, many Arab-American, Muslim, and Sikh children and teens were threatened and harassed by their peers.
How Educators Can Help
Model tolerance.
It is not only children who struggle with feelings of anger, rage, and a desire
for revenge following a terrorist attack. We all must confront and deal with
these emotions. It is important for adults to avoid making negative statements
about any racial, ethnic, or religious group, even in conversations with other
adults. Children hear much more than we often realize, and they take their emotional
cues from the key adults in their lives.
Help students to deal with their angry feelings.
After a terrorist incident, some students may express rage or a desire to hurt
or kill those responsible; others may engage in violent play. Let them know
that their feelings are only natural under the circumstances. At the same time,
help them to maintain control over what they do about their feelings, encouraging
them to reject hurtful actions. Let them know that violence is never a solution.
Prevent stereotyping and scapegoating.
Help your students to separate their thoughts and feelings about the individuals
who committed the terrorist attack from those about larger groups of people
(e.g., all Muslims, people of Arab descent, or foreigners). Groups of people
should not be judged by the actions of a few. Reinforce the point that Muslims
throughout the world, and in America, condemn terrorism and war and hatred.
Educate your students about diversity and tolerance.
Take this chance to talk with your students about the value of diversity in
our nation and how it contributes to our nation's strength. Let them know that
tolerance for different viewpoints is crucial in a democracy and that it is
important to express disagreement over ideas or beliefs in a respectful manner.
Do not tolerate harassment or bullying.
Make it clear to students that harassment and bullying are unacceptable. Encourage
all students to take a stand and report all threats of racial or ethnic harassment.
Have policies in place to deal with this type of behavior.
Support ongoing efforts in your school and community to help children
and teens develop an appreciation for diversity and an acceptance of differences.
If we build a sense of tolerance and appreciation for diversity among children
and teens in our community, they are less likely to respond with scapegoating
and harassment under times of stress.
Federal Resources for Educators on Harassment and Hate Crimes
2000 Annual Report on
School Safety - Department of Justice and Department of Education
This document includes information on the current status of hate crime and harassment
legislation and related statistics.
Arab American Students in Public Schools - ERIC Digest, ERIC, U.S. Department of Education
Reviews the resources available to provide Arab Americans with a supportive
school environment and all students with an accurate and unbiased education
on the Middle East.
Hate Crime Statistics, 2000
- Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice
Includes national hate crime statistics collected in the FBI's Uniform Crime
Reporting program, with information about types of offenses, victims, offenders,
and locations, along with some information for individual communities.
Healing the Hate: A National Bias Crime Prevention Curriculum for Middle Schools - National Center for Hate
Crime Prevention, Funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention,
Department of Justice.
This curriculum was designed for teachers in middle schools and for other professionals
working with youth. The curriculum deals with the extent of hate crime in America
and strategies that are proving effective in reducing hate crimes among our
youth.
Indicators of School Crime
and Safety, 2001. Department of Justice and Department of Education
This document includes information on the current status of hate crime and harassment
legislation and related statistics.
In the Spotlight: Hate Crimes - National Criminal Justice Reference Service, Dept. of Justice
This site includes links to hate crime information, including statistical information,
publications, programs, and other resources.
Preventing Youth Hate Crime: A Manual for Schools and Communities -Department of Education
This manual is intended to assist schools and communities to confront and eliminate
harassing, intimidating, violent, and other hate-motivated behavior among young
people.
Resources for Responding to Hate Crimes - Office for Victims of Crime, Department of Justice
Includes contact information for sources that monitor hate groups' activities,
organizations assist hate crime victims and help local communities develop appropriate
responses, legal and law enforcement resources, and workplace resources.
Responding to Hate Crime: A Multidisciplinary Curriculum - National Center for Hate Crime Prevention
Education Development Center, Inc. and Office for Victims of Crime.
This curriculum was developed for law enforcement and victim assistance professionals
in order to help them better respond to victims of hate crimes.
Teaching About Ethnic Diversity - ERIC Digests - Educational Resources Information Center, Department
of Education
This digest examines (1) the meaning of education about ethnic diversity in
the United States, (2) reasons for its importance, (3) the place of ethnic diversity
in the curriculum, and (4) procedures for teaching about ethnic diversity in
the United States.
Twenty Plus Things Schools
Can Do to Respond to or Prevent Hate Incidents Against Arab-Americans, Muslims,
and Sikhs - Community Relations Service, Department of Justice
This fact sheet provides a series of steps schools can take to respond to or
prevent hate incidents against Arab-Americans, Muslims, and Sikhs