Arnhold Hall
The post-9/11 era in the U.S. has exposed a significant degree of prejudice and bigotry towards Muslim people. More recently, many 2016 Presidential candidates have exacerbated broad vilification of Muslims to serve political agendas. In 2012, a violent hate-motivated attack on a Sikh temple in Wisconsin highlighted the fact that Islamophobia is not just an issue that only impacts Muslims in America. Meanwhile, underscored by the horrific murders of three UNC students, there continues to be widespread racial profiling, hate crimes and bullying throughout the country.
Amer F. Ahmed, Ed.D, serves as Director of Intercultural Teaching and Faculty Development at University of Massachusetts – Amherst, Faculty at the Summer and Winter Institutes for Intercultural Communication and a member of SpeakOut: Institute for Democratic Leadership and Culture. An individual with eclectic personal and professional experience, he is a Hip Hop activist, spoken word poet, diversity consultant and college administrator, channeling his diverse experiences into work geared towards facilitating effective intercultural development. He has been featured on MSNBC’s “Melissa Harris Perry” show and in Dr. Shakti Butler’s film on racism entitled “Cracking the Codes.”
This program will benefit participants interested in learning more about Islam and Islamophobia, providing needed context to bridge divides.
This event is sponsored by the The New School’s Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy