Backlash, Hate Crimes, Scapegoating,
and Islamophobia
Addressing Racial/Ethnic Targeting to Prevent Further Terrorism and Fear
A Workshop with Siddharth Ashvin Shah, M.D., M.P.H
This program was presented on December 8, 2007
December 8, 2007
In a climate of fear, public reactions to terrorism demonstrate a clear impulse to hold Muslims responsible as a group. Backlash is the negative impact suffered by sections of a population as a result of being wrongly associated with events. Any report of terrorism now positions Muslims and "Anyone Appearing Muslim" [AAMs] to be vulnerable to attack by revenge-seeking groups. In the United States, such Islamophobic backlash has been poorly addressed, even though it is predictable from a public health standpoint.
Even when backlash is not obviously criminal, its effects are deeply felt in the form of social/economic boycotting, school-based bullying, and bystanders "looking the other way." Without specially focused approaches to mitigate this additional layer of trauma in a climate of terrorism, backlash-affected communities become further damaged, isolated and alienated. Moreover, studies show that disenfranchised communities are more vulnerable to serious mental health issues, less likely to access help, and less likely to be reached in outreach efforts.
This workshop seeks to mainstream the delivery of services designed to discourage the perpetration of hate crimes and respond to populations affected by backlash trauma. Psychosocial countermeasures are central to preventing further harm in terrorized societies, and psychosocial methodology will inform the entire workshop. Experiential exercises, role play, and group didactics will be utilized for learning purposes. Blending psychodynamic and public health disciplines, this workshop will build capacity in post-terrorism responders who anticipate involvement in either clinical treatment or public outreach efforts.
Objectives
The workshop will build capacity in attendees to:
- Identify the systemic and psychodynamic impulses to scapegoating and Islamophobia [i.e. identifying the resistances to mitigating Backlash].
- Recommend proactive, culturally-appropriate approaches to work with Muslim and AAM populations affected by Backlash.
- Respond ecologically to terrorism in a way that strengthens civil society and promotes social justice.
Who Should Attend?
- Mental health responders to terrorism who wish to address the layer of trauma felt by Backlash victims and ethnic minority communities.
- Those in agencies that endeavor to serve immigrant populations affected by Backlash [hate crimes, civil rights violations].
- Practitioners who wish to develop cultural capacities in treating Muslims, Sikhs, and South Asians.
- Group and organizational consultants concerned with the large group dynamics of hate, revenge, Islamophobia, terrorism, trauma, and war.
- Clergy, media professionals, and other civic opinion leaders who want to send public service messages to prevent Backlash.
- Leaders of Backlash-affected populations that want to reduce the risk and impact of hate crimes.
- Service-providers who liaise with police, military, courts and attorneys.
Presenter
Siddharth Ashvin Shah, M.D., M.P.H. is the founder of Psychosocial Assistance Without Borders, which develops training and resiliency services for people involved in humanitarian responses. He has traveled to Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, and throughout the U.S. to train people responding to September 11th, war and conflict, the Indian Ocean tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and the Pakistan earthquake. He developed this backlash mitigation workshop to supplement his work in India with Hindu-Muslim conflict and his post-9/11 involvement in New York City.
Dr. Shah's educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies, a Masters in Public Health, medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine, psychiatry internship at the Menninger Clinic, and residency in Preventive & Behavioral Medicine at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine. He has a consultancy practice at the George Washington University Center for Integrative Medicine where he specializes in stress-related illnesses, mind-body interventions, problem-oriented psychotherapy, vicarious trauma, and spiritual healing practices.
Location
The Washington School of Psychiatry
5028 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC, 20016
Directions
CEU/CME: 6 hours
The Washington School of Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to provide continuing education for psychologists. The Washington School maintains responsibility for the program. The School is approved by the Social Work Board of the State of Maryland as a provider of continuing education for social workers. The School is approved by the Medical Society of Maryland (MEDCHI) for continuing education for psychiatrists.
Fee
$180 with scholarships available for selected candidates.
Registration
Complete and mail or fax the registration form, or call the Registrar's Office with credit card information. Space is limited.
Questions?
Please call Lisa Head at (202) 237-2700.