BuildingResilience to ViolentExtremism AmongSomali ... · economic, social, and political drivers...
Transcript of BuildingResilience to ViolentExtremism AmongSomali ... · economic, social, and political drivers...
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
August2012
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Based at the University of Maryland
3300 Symons Hall bull College Park MD 20742 bull3014056600bullwwwstartumdedu
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
About This Report
TheauthorsofthisreportareStevanWeine Professorof PsychiatryattheUniversityof Illinoisat Chicagoand OsmanAhmedofMinneapolis‐St PaulQuestionsaboutthisreport shouldbedirectedtoStevan Weine atsmweineuicedu
Thisreportispartof a seriessponsoredbytheHumanFactorsBehavioralSciencesDivisionScience and Technology DirectorateUSDepartmentofHomelandSecurityinsupportofthePreventDeterprogramThegoalofthisprogram istosponsorresearchthatwillaidthe intelligenceandlawenforcementcommunities inidentifyingpotentialterroristthreats and supportpolicymakers indevelopingprevention efforts
ThisresearchwassupportedbytheUSDepartment of Homeland Security(DHS)ScienceandTechnologyDirectoratersquosHumanFactorsBehavioralSciences Division(HFD)throughGrant AwardNumber2009ST108LR0003 made totheNationalConsortiumfortheStudyofTerrorismandResponsestoTerrorism(START)Theviewsandconclusionscontainedinthisdocumentarethoseoftheauthorsandshouldnotbeinterpreted asnecessarilyrepresenting theofficialpolicieseitherexpressedorimpliedofthe USDepartmentofHomelandSecuritythe UnitedStatesGovernmentorSTART
About START
TheNationalConsortiumforthe StudyofTerrorismandResponsestoTerrorism(START)issupportedinpart bytheScienceandTechnologyDirectorate ofthe USDepartmentofHomelandSecuritythroughaCenterofExcellenceprogrambased at theUniversityofMarylandSTARTuses state‐of‐the‐arttheoriesmethodsanddatafromthesocialand behavioral sciences to improveunderstanding oftheoriginsdynamicsandsocialandpsychologicalimpactsofterrorism FormoreinformationcontactSTARTatinfostartstartumdedu orvisit wwwstartumdedu
Citations
Tocite this reportpleaseusethisformat
WeineStevanand OsmanAhmedldquoBuildingResilience toViolent ExtremismAmongSomali‐Americansin Minneapolis‐StPaulrdquoFinalReporttoHumanFactorsBehavioralSciencesDivisionScienceand TechnologyDirectorateUSDepartmentofHomelandSecurityCollegePark MDSTART 2012
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Contents
ExecutiveSummaryhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2
Backgroundhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip5
Conclusionshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip30
Introductionhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip3
KeyConceptshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip7
Methodhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip9
Resultshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip12
Referenceshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip33
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 1
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Thisstudy askedmembersofthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaultodescribethechallenges ofliving in arefugeecommunityhowviolent extremists trytoexploittheirconditionforrecruitmentpurposesandwhatresourcesand strategiesareneededto minimize theirvulnerability Using ethnographicmethodsthisstudylookedattheeverydaylivesof Somali‐Americanadolescentboys andyoung meninthe contextof theirfamiliesandcommunities Itfoundopportunitiesforentering violent extremismaswellascapacities fordiminishingthoseopportunitiesBasedonempiricaldataand informedbyrelevant theoryit identifiedthemesandbuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunitiesfor ViolentExtremism (DOVE)whichcanhelp toinformpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilienceto violent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaul
Noonerisk factorexplained involvement inviolentextremism Ratheritwasthe interaction ofmultipleriskfactors atthepeer familycommunityglobalstateand societallevelsThese risk factors combinedtocreateanopportunitystructure forviolent extremismwiththreelevelsofopportunity1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesInvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresence ofallthreewithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwo
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldinvolvestrengtheningprotectiveresources orwhatare calledopportunity‐reducing capacities Furthermorefamilyandyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenprotectiveresourcesateachof thethreelevels ofopportunity Priorities includediminishing1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolent extremismand 3)thepotential forcontactswith terrorist recruitersor associates
Buildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremismshouldbeapproachedthrough community collaboration and capacity buildingInterventionsmay involvegovernmentcommunityandfamilies workingcollaborativelytoimproveeachotherrsquoscapacitiesSharedgoalscouldbe to1)collaborativelystrengthen families2) developcommunitysupportforfamilies andyouthand3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Onewayto determine priorityareasfor prevention mightincludeidentifying protectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotentialforaddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetweengovernmentcommunity andfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhance thesecapacitiesBasedonthe currentstudypromisingpreventive interventions in theSomali‐AmericancommunityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourcethatincludesinformationand trainingaboutrisksandsafeguards forusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2)providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunities for servicein theircommunity andhumanitarian and peaceworkthuscreating alternative waysforyouthtochanneltheirpassion forSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersandcriticalvoicesinthecommunityandonthe web
Additional research isneededincommunities underthreattoshowwhichactsofbuilding resilienceworkwithwhomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOneway todo thiswouldbetocollaboratewiththecommunity todeveloppilot andevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedprevention strategy in Minneapolis‐StPaul basedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunitiestargetedbyviolentextremists inthe UnitedStatesandabroadsoastorefinethemodelandapproachesthatcanreliablyassess communitiesatriskandhelptoinformandprioritizepreventionstrategies
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 2
2) 3) 4)
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
INTRODUCTION
OnMarch62011DennisMcDonoughDeputy NationalSecurityAdvisortoPresidentObamaspokeattheAllDullesAreaMuslimSociety inSterling VirginiaandmadethefollowingstatementldquoWeknowas thePresidentsaidthat thebestdefenseagainstterrorist ideologies isstrongand resilient individualsand communitiesrdquo(McDonough2011) McDonoughwasvoicingwhat theObamaAdministrationhadalready articulatedinits2010NationalSecurityStrategyin whichthewordldquoresiliencerdquoappearedmultipletimes(TheWhiteHouse2010)SeveralEuropeancountrieshavealsoacknowledgedthekeyroleofcivil society incounteringviolent extremismthrough forexampleamelioratingthe underlyingeconomicsocialandpoliticaldriversofviolentradicalization andterrorist recruitment(Archik2011 Briggs2006)
Emphasizingresilience highlightsthepositive attributesofcommunitiesandpersonsthathaveoftenbeenhighly stigmatizedinpublicdiscourses andcouldhelpto opendoorstocommunity‐governmentcollaborationButwhatexactly is resilience Canbuilding itreallypreventviolent extremismAndifsohowcanwedevelopprogramsand policiesto supportcommunities underthreat
TheObama administrationrsquosDecember2011 Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States offeredpreliminaryanswerstothesequestionsForexamplein asectionfocusedontheimportanceofenhancing federalengagementwithandsupportoflocalcommunitiestargetedby violentextremistsonesub‐objective(12)highlightedthe need to1) Fostercommunity‐ledpartnershipsandpreventativeprogramming to buildresilience againstviolent
extremist radicalization byexpandingcommunity‐based solutionsLeverageexistingmodelsofcommunityproblem‐solvingandpublicsafetyEnhanceFederalGovernmentcollaborationwithlocalgovernments andlawenforcementand Providecommunities withinformation andtrainingaccesstoresourcesandgrantsandconnectionswiththephilanthropic andprivate sectors(WhiteHouse2011 p10)
Inorderfortheseeffortstosucceedwhatare alsoneeded are models andinterventions that arewell supportedbytheoryandempirical evidence andthat arefeasibleacceptableandappropriateto communitiesand their membersTo thisendtheauthorsconductedethnographicresearch intheSomali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulinorderto 1) characterizehowsocialexperiences impactinvolvement in violent extremismfordiasporayouthand youngadults2)understandhowresilience mightpreventviolent extremismincommunitiesunder threat and 3)informthedevelopment ofpreventionstrategiesthatincorporatebothsecurityandpsychosocialdimensionsandarebasedontheoryevidenceandcommunitycollaboration
Betweenlate2007 and Autumn2008atleast 17Somali‐American adolescentboysandyoungmenlivingintheMinneapolis‐StPaularea secretlylefttheirhomesand flew to Somaliatojointraining campsrunbytheAlShabaaborganization(Elliot2009 Weine etal2010)TheseactivitiesproducedthefirstUScitizensuicidebomberShirwaAhmedwhoonOctober292008killedatleast30peopleincludingUNaidworkers inHargeisa‐BosasoSomalia(Elliot2009) These adolescentboys andyoung menleft intwowaveswith thesecond wavebeing alittleyoungerandmoreacademicthanthefirstThissecondwaveincludedBurhanHassana 17‐year‐oldA‐studentandsenioratRooseveltHighSchoolaswellasotherhighschoolanduniversitystudentsthusonceagaindispelling theassumptionthat onlyunsuccessfulor mentallyillpersonsbecome involvedin terrorism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 3
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Tounderstandhowsomepersonsgetinvolvedinviolent extremismexpertanalyseshavedevelopedtheoriesof ldquopathwaysrdquo withpush andpullfactorsinfluencingindividualtrajectories(Atran2010Horgan2008a2008bamp2009McCauleyandMoskalenko2008Moghaddam2005Sageman2008)Takingthisperspectivefactors thatmayhavepushedtheseSomali‐American adolescentboysandyoung mentoward violent radicalization werewidespreadand include exposuretowarin theirhomecountryandforced migrationpriortocomingtotheUnitedStates poverty broken familiesduetotherefugee experience (especially theabsenceoffathers)orracialorreligiousdiscriminationFactorsthatmayhavepulledthemtowardviolentradicalization weremorediscrete intimeand spaceand includeexposureto violent extremismon theInternet theEthiopian invasion ofSomaliaandriseofAlShabaab culturally‐inscribedcopingmechanismssuchastheSomaliwarrior tradition oraffiliation withcharismatic malerecruiterswhocouldspeaktoadolescentboys andyoungmenabouttheseissueswithauthoritygiventhelack offathersor powerfulmeninsomeof theirlivesAnemergingdiscourseonhomegrownterrorism hasgonebeyondaldquopathwayrdquoapproachtoconsidermultiplelevelsof risk factorsincludingthoseatthecommunityandfamilylevelsaspartof abroaderldquoecologicalrdquoview(Briggs2006Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Weineetal 2009Weine2011)Thisstudyaddressedtheabovefactorsbutfromanecologicalperspective
Inthisresearchthere wasnopresumptionthatwhatever knowledgewasbuiltregardingSomali‐AmericansinMinneapolis‐StPaulwouldnecessarilyapplytootherSomali‐American communitiesortootherMuslimdiaspora communitiestargeted byviolentextremistsAlthoughIslamis one worldreligiontherearemanydifferentMuslim religiousbeliefs andpracticesandtherearedistinct immigrant and refugeecommunities ofMuslimsin the US(Ramadan2009)That beingsaidtherecouldbeuseful continuities acrosscommunities andgroupsbuttheseareinneedof thoughtfulreflectionutilizingcross‐culturalandsite‐basedapproachesthatcouldhelptoidentify possiblesimilarities anddifferences betweencommunities
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 4
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
BACKGROUND
Thirty years ofwarin Somaliahasledtoanestimated1 millionSomalisbeing forciblydisplacedlargenumbersofwhomwereresettledinEuropeanUnioncountriesAustraliaCanadaandtheUnitedStates(KusowampBjork2007 Horst2006FarahMuchieampGundel2007) Prior researchconducted in these resettlementcountrieshasfocusedonunderstandingand addressing thepsychosocialneeds ofSomalisinthediaspora
Forexampleresearch hasshown thatSomalisin theUKandDenmarkstruggled withissues ofidentityandbelongingand that secondhandnarrativesofidentity fromfamilyandcommunitymembersplayedanimportantroleinovercoming theseissues (Valentine 2009) Sportondescribedhowproblemswithsocialexclusionand discrimination againstSomalisintheUKcouldhavecontributedtosomeyoungSomalisparticipating intheJuly11Londonbombings(2006)In astudycomparingVietnameseIranianandSomaliyouthandfamiliesin theUnitedStatesSomalimothersweretheonlygrouptostateapreference forstilllivingin their homeland(McBrien2011) Post‐resettlement stressors acculturativestress and especiallyperceiveddiscriminationhavebeen found tobeassociatedwithgreaterPTSD(Ellis2008)ExperiencingdiscriminationwascommonandassociatedwithworsementalhealthforSomaliboysintheUnitedStateswhereas participationinAmericanculturewasassociatedwithbettermental health(Ellis2010)
Severalreportshave focusedon theSomalifamilywhichisnot only anuclearbutanextendedfamily Theculturalsayingldquounityispowerrdquo underlies thestrong sense offamilyloyaltyintheSomalicommunityParents tend toconceiveoftheirparenting asbeingldquoguardiansrdquooftheirchildrenandemphasizeprovidingeducationandtraining morethan emotionalsupport(Heitritter 1999)InresettlementcountriesSomalifamilieshave experienceddifficulties associatedwiththeprevalenceofsingle‐parent families isolationfeelingsofdisloyaltymissingfamilymemberschildrenrsquosdisrespectfor generationalboundaries andtheover‐intrusion ofauthoritiesorproviders (Heitritter1999)Atthesame timeseveralprotectivefactorshave beenidentifiedincluding familyattachmentand stabilitystrongsocialskillspro‐socialrelationshipsreligionacademicachievementaccesstocommunityresources(BRCYS2009)and senseof belonging inschool(Ellisetal2007)
WhenSomaliadolescentsseekhelp theytendtofirstapproach friendsfamilyteachersand religiousleaders(so calledldquogatewayprovidersrdquo)buttheyhave astrong tendencytohide theirproblemsbecause theydoldquonot want toburdenparentswiththeirownworriesrdquo(Ellis 2011p804)Somali youthandfamilies seemanybarrierstoseekingcare includingtheir distrustofauthoritythe stigma associatedwithmentalillnessandlinguisticandculturalbarriersInSomaliaasinmanyotherAfricancountriesthereislittleprecedent forparentsbeing highlyinvolvedwithteachersorschoolofficialswhichcansetthemupforchallengesin USresettlement (BRYCS2009)
There arebelievedtobe60000SomalisinMinnesotathelargestpopulationoutsideof EastAfricaManyliveintheCedarRiversideneighborhoodinalow‐incomehousingdevelopmentknownastheTowersMostMinnesotaSomalisarrivedviasecondary migration choosingtomovetoMinnesotaafterlivingforatime intheir initialrefugeeplacementlocalewhichmeansthatthey arenot eligibleforfederaldollarsforhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices(Weineetal2011 WeineLevin HakizimanaDanweigh2011)In 2008amongSomali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐StPaultheunemploymentrate was17themedian income$14367andthepovertylevel42(Kasperetal 2009 City ofMinneapolis2009)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 5
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐AmericanyouthinMinneapolisareoftenreferredtoasldquoGeneration 15 Mostwere borninawar‐torncountryraisedinrefugeecampsinKenya andthensettled inimpoverishedandghettoizedUScommunitieswheretheywatched thewar in SomaliaonYouTube Thoughthey weretooyoungtodirectly experience the warmosthavelostfamilymembersand heardtalkaboutthe warfromothers
Theemergingdiscourse in academiaonSomali‐Americans hastypicallyfocusedontheir vulnerabilities(Weineetal2010)Vulnerabilitiescitedincludepriorexposuretopersonaltraumalivinginpovertybeingraisedinbroken families andorwithsinglemothersexposuretoanexcessofwarimagesand experiencing discrimination A largeepidemiologicalsurveyconductedinMinneapolis‐StPaulin2004foundthat37ofSomaliwomenand25ofSomalimenhadbeentortured andthattorturesurvivorsreported significantly moresymptomsofPTSD andmorephysical andpsychologicalproblems(Jaransonetal2004)Anotherstudyin Minneapolis‐StPaulfoundthatnearly halfofSomalimothers were torturesurvivors morethan a quarterhadnoformaleducationand 70 weresingleparents(Robertsonet al 2006)
Otherresearchconductedin the Somali‐AmericancommunityinMinneapolis‐St Paulhasdescribedunsafe neighborhoods(Hirsi2009a)andproblemswithcivicengagement(Dickson2011) Thelatterreported thatldquothedeepestproblemamongSomalicommunities in Minnesota mightbelsquothehollowing outoftheir civicspiritrsquordquo(Dickinson p114)Nderu(2005) describedapatternofldquoperipheral supportrdquoofSomalichildrenbytheirparents whichincludedfathers notbeing asinvolved asmothersandcalledforbetter effortstobridge theculturalgapbetweenfamiliesand schools Ailitolppa‐Nitamo(2004)reportedonthechallengesfacedbyparents whowereilliterateuneducatedandunemployedwhichledthemtobemoreisolatedfrommainstreamsociety Robillos(2001p18) reportedon theparticularneedsofmaleadolescentswho ldquoespecially expressedthedesireforaplacetosocializeplaysportsorhavefunafterschoolrdquoSomalimothersexpressedconcernabouttheiryouthgettingintoconflictwithothersafterschoolreportingthatldquotaunting andfightsoccurlsquowhentheycomehomeThatrsquoswhentheyteasethemrsquordquo(McBrien2010p82)However these mothersdidnrsquotnecessarilyunderstandEnglishwellenoughtoknowwhattheconflictswereabout
Inadditiontothefamily andcommunityvulnerabilities orrisk factorsdescribedabovestudieshavedescribedthestrengthsoftheSomali‐Americancommunity These includeastrongsense ofcommunity identitytheestablishmentofSomaliSchoolsor dugsisresistance toAmerican racismandsupportfor childrenand their education(Kapteigns and Arman2008)
Finallythis researchbuiltupon priorandongoingresearchwithrefugeeand immigrant familiesfromotherAfricancountrieswhichhasindicatedthe importanceof examining factors suchasthetransnationalfamilyfamilysolidarityparent‐childcommunicationparentalmonitoring andsupervisionparentalschoolinvolvementand racialethnicsocialization(Berns‐McGown2008StevensonampArrington2009Weine2008Weine andSiddiqui2009Weine etal2008Weineetal2009Weine etal2011) Theseareareas inwhichparents often face great difficulties andoftenlacksupportfromthe communityatlargeandfromcommunity‐basedservices Inthat sensethefocus onfamiliesisnecessarily connected withthefocusoncommunitiesbecausefamiliesneedthesupportofcommunitiesinordertobestrongandprotectiveoftheirchildren(Ungar 2008)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 6
Resilience is neither entirely individual nor entirely social but an interactive combination (Luthar and Zigler 1991) Tounderstand resilience it isnecessary tolookbeyondindividualcharacteristics andalsoexamine familycommunitysocietalstateandglobal characteristics
Youth can be resilient to some risks but not to others (Luthar and Zigler 1991)
When youth face risks from socio‐economic and sociocultural adversities their family is often the strongest buffer against the associated risks (Weine and Siddiqui 2009)
For diaspora communities perceptions of the characteristics of resilience are shaped as much by the home country and refugee camp internment as by American values and institutions (Weine et al 2011) Indiasporacommunitieshigher resiliencedoesnrsquotnecessarilymean greater alignment with American societyanditsvalues
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KEY CONCEPTS
Thissection describesthekeyconceptsthatinformedthisstudyonbuildingcommunityresilience to counterviolentextremismThese includeresilienceprotective resourcesopportunitystructuresandpreventiveinterventionsTheseconceptsare brieflydefinedandelaboratedwithsomerelevant research
ResilienceResilienceisatermborrowedfrom engineeringwhere it refers toldquothecapacityofamaterialorsystemtoreturn to equilibriumafter a displacementrdquo (BodinampWiman 2004)Communitypsychologistsuseresilience torefertoa process shapedbyresourcesndashsuchas economicdevelopmentsocialcapitalinformationandcommunicationandcommunitycompetencendashthat mayleadto adaptation aftera disturbanceoradversity(Norris StevensPfefferbaumBWycheampPfefferbaumRL2008)
Thoughresiliencehasbeen increasinglycited byterrorism experts andpolicymakers asan essentialconsiderationwhendevelopingprogramstocounterviolent extremismresearch onresiliencehasnotyetbeensystematicallyappliedto thiscontextOverthe past tenyearstherehasbeenan explosionof interest in resilience in theclinical community andfamilysciencesconcerningabroadrangeof adversities Whatdoesthisemergingknowledgeofresiliencetellusthatispotentiallyrelevantto countering violent extremism
Protective ResourcesProtective resourcesare social and psychosocialfactorsthatcanstopdelayordiminishnegativeoutcomes(Weine etal2011)Protectiveresourcesencompass notonlyresilience(egbouncingback)butalsoresistance(eg preventing)Protectiveresources canreside infamiliescommunitiesandinstitutions Thusfamilyprotectiveresourcesarefamilycapacitiesthatpromotepositive youthpsychosocialwellbeingCommunity protectiveresourcesworkeitherbybuildingfamilyprotective resourcesor byworkingdirectly upontheyouthtopromotepsychosocialwellbeingArangeofdifferentkindsofactorsinacommunitycanprovideprotectiveresourcessuchasteachersclergy coachesandelders
Opportunity StructuresStudiesof migrationhavedescribedthekeyroleofldquoopportunitystructuresrdquoinrelation tosuchoutcomesasinvolvement interrorismandsexualriskamongmigrants(ClarkeampNewman2006Hirschetal
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 7
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
2010)Theoriesofopportunitystructureholdthatldquotheprobabilityofsocialrelationsdependsonopportunitiesforcontactrdquo(Blau199429)Thisconceptfocusesnot justonindividualcharacteristics but onopportunities forbehaviorthat areprovidedbyagivensocialcontextItalsofollowsthatanopportunitystructurersquosinfluence onyouthandyoungadultscan becountered byldquoopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesrdquo whichmayalsobethoughtofasatypeofprotectiveresourcethatcontributes toresilience
Preventive InterventionsPreventive interventionsaimtoenhanceprotectiveresourcesat populationcommunityandfamilylevelssoastostoplessenor delaypossiblenegativeindividualmentalhealthandbehavioral outcomesPreventive interventionsoftenusemultilevelstrategiesthatsimultaneouslyaddressfamilysocialandstructuralissues(Schenschul etal2009 OrsquoConnellet al2009)
Thesekeyconceptsprovided the basisfor the researchquestionsthatwerestartingpoints fortheethnographicstudy
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 8
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
METHOD
Inthepast severaldecadesscholarsworkinginthepsychosocialarenahavebecomemoreinterested inapplyingethnographicmethods1 Ethnographicmethodsincludedatacollectionthroughinterviewswhereparticipantsare encouragedtospeakopenlyandfreelyandthroughparticipantobservationDatacollectionandanalysis areguided byaniterativeprocess wherebyinitialdatacollectionleadstorefinement ofquestionsandnew theoreticalinterpretationsleading tofurther datacollectionandinterpretationandculminating in newempirically‐basedmodels orfindings
Thesemethodsinparticularhave helpedthepublichealthandpsychosocialfieldstobetterunderstandanarrayof important issuessuch aslocalpatternsofdistresstheroleofculturelocalprocessesofchangethe insiderrsquosperspectiveandthecultureofserviceorganizationsForexampleethnographicmethodshavebeen appliedin the realmsofsurvivorsrsquotestimoniesof politicalviolencerefugeementalhealthmentalhealthreforminpost‐conflictcountries andHIVAIDSpreventionandlabormigration(Weine2006Weine AganiCintron2003 Weine etal2008 WeineBahromovMirzoev2008Weine2009Weineunderreview)
Theroleof thisethnographicstudywastogenerate amodelfor preventingviolentextremismthrough buildingcommunityresilience thatwasinformedbylocalvoices andanunderstandingofthe contextinMinneapolis‐StPaulinorderto supportthedevelopmentofpolicyandprograms
Sample and RecruitmentWeinterviewed57personswholivedorworkedinMinneapolis‐StPaulandwhowereeither1)Somali‐Americanyoungadultmales(ages 16to30)(n=18)2)Somali‐Americanparentsoradultfamilymembers(n=19)or3)serviceproviderswhoworkwiththeSomalicommunity(n=20)InthisreportthetermldquoSomali‐Americanrdquois not beingused onlytorefertoUScitizensPotentialsubjectswereinitiallyidentifiedbymembersofourresearch teamwhowere eithermembersoforfamiliarwiththeSomali‐Americancommunityand relevantgroupsandorganizationsPotentialsubjectswerechosenbothbecausetheresearchersthoughtthattheymayhavevaluableperspectivesontheresearchquestionsandtotry torepresentsomediversityofexperience within theSomali‐American communityBeforeparticipating in anyresearch activities participants were askedtogive informedconsent inaccordancewiththeresearchproceduresapprovedbytheUniversity ofIllinoisat ChicagoInstitutionalReviewBoard
InterviewsTheprincipalinvestigatorprovidedtraininginethnographicinterviewingtotheresearchteamwhichincludedrelevantreadingsandhands‐onexperience topractice skillsandtechniquesTrainingfocusedon1)approachestodevelopingsustainingandending relationswithsubjects2)proceduresforthe protection ofhumansubjects3)waysofdealingwithemergenciesandethicalproblemsincluding threats tothesafetyof researchers4)practiceinconducting minimally structuredinterviews(eg asking open‐endedquestionslearninghowandwhento probelearning tolisten)5)anintroductiontoAtlastianalysissoftwareand 6)intensiveintroductionstothetopicsofviolent extremismrefugeeyouthandfamilieslanguageandcultureDuringdatacollectionongoingsupervisionwasprovidedthroughtelephoneand face‐to‐face meetings
1 Thepsychosocialarenaencompasses mentalhealthhealth and socialserviceproviders and organizations who areengagedinunderstandingand helping individualsfamiliesandcommunities withproblems of a psychologicaldimensionthat occurin thecontext of complexsocial situations Thisincludes such issues as mentaland physicalillness violencesubstance abuse HIVAIDS andmigration‐related problems
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 9
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Datacollectionconsistedofone‐timeminimallystructuredinterviewslastingbetweenoneandtwohoursTheinterviewerswere threeSomali‐Americanswholived andworkedin theSomalicommunity inMinneapolis‐StPaulandtwoAmericanpsychiatristsDuringthese interviews participantswere encouraged totalkopenlyabout topicsandissuesthatfitwithintheoverallconcernsoftheresearchAtthebeginningofthe interviewstheresearchersstatedthe overallprojectaimsParticipants were then askedtospeakaboutwhatevertheywished intheorder thattheywishedRecognizingthat different peoplecanspeaktodifferentissuesdependingontheir ageandsituationthe interviewersleft ituptotheparticipantstodeterminehow muchdetailtheywantedtogo intoandgenerallyrespondedwithpromptstoencouragethemtosay more(asculturallySomalistendnottobeveryforthcomingininterviews)Theinterviewershadalistoftopicsforthepersontospeaktoandiftheydidnotspeak tothesetopicstheywere askedaboutthemThesetopicswere1)familyandcommunityprotectiveprocesses withrespecttoviolent extremism 2)communityknowledgeand attitudestowardsviolentextremism 3)theindividualfamilyandcommunityprocessesunderlyingrisks ofviolent extremism 4)thepotentialroleoflackofsocialintegration inviolent extremismand5)communityknowledge attitudesandbehaviorstowards lawenforcementThe majority of interviews weredigitallyrecorded andthentranscribed intoEnglishInthosecasesinwhichthe persondidnotpermitrecordingdetailed fieldnotes were taken bytheinterviewer
Data AnalysisThisstudy utilizedagroundedtheoryapproachtoqualitativedataanalysis(Charmaz2006Patton2002StraussampCorbin 1998)The groundedtheoryapproachis designedfor the developmentoftheorywithin thecontextofintensive fieldresearchwithqualitative data Specifically thisresearchusedan iterative analysisstrategythatcodedpatterns inqualitative data todescribecategories typologiesandprocessesleadingtothecreationofmodelsTheresearchers utilized Atlasticomputersoftwarewhichisdesigned formanaginglarge amountsofqualitativedata and applyinggroundedtheory methods (Muhr2004)Transcriptsofthe interviews translatedintoEnglishwere entered intoAtlasti
Theresearchersalsodecidedtoenterintothe Atlastidatabaseopen sourcematerialsfromthemediaorgovernmentconcerningSomali‐Americans inMinneapolisTheseincludedinformationonSomali‐Americans violent radicalizationandviolentextremismaswellasdirectquotationsfromfamilyandcommunitymembers2
Theanalysisbeganwithareading oftheentiredatasetof interviewtranscripts bytheresearchteammembersTheinitialreading yieldedasetofcategories thatcorrespondedwiththeinitialconceptualframeworkExamplecategorieswereindividualriskfactorsfor violentextremismfamilyriskfactorsforviolent extremismcommunityrisk factors for violent extremismfamilyprotectiveresourcesagainstviolent extremismcommunityprotectiveresourcesagainstviolentextremismandlawenforcementandculturalissuesThecompleteset ofcategoriesthencontributedtodevelopingacodingschemewithatotalof146codesThereadersalsokepttrackofotherdemographiccontextual andexperiential itemsthatwereimportantin understandingSomali‐Americanswhichin addition tobeingcoded were recorded throughwritingmemos Someexamplesincludedtheimpactofpovertycommunityviolence involvementwithInternetthe transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandgenderrolesinSomalifamilies Thesetooinformedthecoding
2 Thesequotationswere labeledand categorizeddifferentlyinthe database so thatwe could determinewhethera particular quotation camefromanintervieweeoranalternatesource
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 10
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
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JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
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NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
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NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
About This Report
TheauthorsofthisreportareStevanWeine Professorof PsychiatryattheUniversityof Illinoisat Chicagoand OsmanAhmedofMinneapolis‐St PaulQuestionsaboutthisreport shouldbedirectedtoStevan Weine atsmweineuicedu
Thisreportispartof a seriessponsoredbytheHumanFactorsBehavioralSciencesDivisionScience and Technology DirectorateUSDepartmentofHomelandSecurityinsupportofthePreventDeterprogramThegoalofthisprogram istosponsorresearchthatwillaidthe intelligenceandlawenforcementcommunities inidentifyingpotentialterroristthreats and supportpolicymakers indevelopingprevention efforts
ThisresearchwassupportedbytheUSDepartment of Homeland Security(DHS)ScienceandTechnologyDirectoratersquosHumanFactorsBehavioralSciences Division(HFD)throughGrant AwardNumber2009ST108LR0003 made totheNationalConsortiumfortheStudyofTerrorismandResponsestoTerrorism(START)Theviewsandconclusionscontainedinthisdocumentarethoseoftheauthorsandshouldnotbeinterpreted asnecessarilyrepresenting theofficialpolicieseitherexpressedorimpliedofthe USDepartmentofHomelandSecuritythe UnitedStatesGovernmentorSTART
About START
TheNationalConsortiumforthe StudyofTerrorismandResponsestoTerrorism(START)issupportedinpart bytheScienceandTechnologyDirectorate ofthe USDepartmentofHomelandSecuritythroughaCenterofExcellenceprogrambased at theUniversityofMarylandSTARTuses state‐of‐the‐arttheoriesmethodsanddatafromthesocialand behavioral sciences to improveunderstanding oftheoriginsdynamicsandsocialandpsychologicalimpactsofterrorism FormoreinformationcontactSTARTatinfostartstartumdedu orvisit wwwstartumdedu
Citations
Tocite this reportpleaseusethisformat
WeineStevanand OsmanAhmedldquoBuildingResilience toViolent ExtremismAmongSomali‐Americansin Minneapolis‐StPaulrdquoFinalReporttoHumanFactorsBehavioralSciencesDivisionScienceand TechnologyDirectorateUSDepartmentofHomelandSecurityCollegePark MDSTART 2012
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Contents
ExecutiveSummaryhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2
Backgroundhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip5
Conclusionshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip30
Introductionhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip3
KeyConceptshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip7
Methodhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip9
Resultshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip12
Referenceshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip33
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 1
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Thisstudy askedmembersofthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaultodescribethechallenges ofliving in arefugeecommunityhowviolent extremists trytoexploittheirconditionforrecruitmentpurposesandwhatresourcesand strategiesareneededto minimize theirvulnerability Using ethnographicmethodsthisstudylookedattheeverydaylivesof Somali‐Americanadolescentboys andyoung meninthe contextof theirfamiliesandcommunities Itfoundopportunitiesforentering violent extremismaswellascapacities fordiminishingthoseopportunitiesBasedonempiricaldataand informedbyrelevant theoryit identifiedthemesandbuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunitiesfor ViolentExtremism (DOVE)whichcanhelp toinformpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilienceto violent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaul
Noonerisk factorexplained involvement inviolentextremism Ratheritwasthe interaction ofmultipleriskfactors atthepeer familycommunityglobalstateand societallevelsThese risk factors combinedtocreateanopportunitystructure forviolent extremismwiththreelevelsofopportunity1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesInvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresence ofallthreewithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwo
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldinvolvestrengtheningprotectiveresources orwhatare calledopportunity‐reducing capacities Furthermorefamilyandyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenprotectiveresourcesateachof thethreelevels ofopportunity Priorities includediminishing1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolent extremismand 3)thepotential forcontactswith terrorist recruitersor associates
Buildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremismshouldbeapproachedthrough community collaboration and capacity buildingInterventionsmay involvegovernmentcommunityandfamilies workingcollaborativelytoimproveeachotherrsquoscapacitiesSharedgoalscouldbe to1)collaborativelystrengthen families2) developcommunitysupportforfamilies andyouthand3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Onewayto determine priorityareasfor prevention mightincludeidentifying protectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotentialforaddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetweengovernmentcommunity andfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhance thesecapacitiesBasedonthe currentstudypromisingpreventive interventions in theSomali‐AmericancommunityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourcethatincludesinformationand trainingaboutrisksandsafeguards forusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2)providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunities for servicein theircommunity andhumanitarian and peaceworkthuscreating alternative waysforyouthtochanneltheirpassion forSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersandcriticalvoicesinthecommunityandonthe web
Additional research isneededincommunities underthreattoshowwhichactsofbuilding resilienceworkwithwhomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOneway todo thiswouldbetocollaboratewiththecommunity todeveloppilot andevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedprevention strategy in Minneapolis‐StPaul basedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunitiestargetedbyviolentextremists inthe UnitedStatesandabroadsoastorefinethemodelandapproachesthatcanreliablyassess communitiesatriskandhelptoinformandprioritizepreventionstrategies
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 2
2) 3) 4)
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
INTRODUCTION
OnMarch62011DennisMcDonoughDeputy NationalSecurityAdvisortoPresidentObamaspokeattheAllDullesAreaMuslimSociety inSterling VirginiaandmadethefollowingstatementldquoWeknowas thePresidentsaidthat thebestdefenseagainstterrorist ideologies isstrongand resilient individualsand communitiesrdquo(McDonough2011) McDonoughwasvoicingwhat theObamaAdministrationhadalready articulatedinits2010NationalSecurityStrategyin whichthewordldquoresiliencerdquoappearedmultipletimes(TheWhiteHouse2010)SeveralEuropeancountrieshavealsoacknowledgedthekeyroleofcivil society incounteringviolent extremismthrough forexampleamelioratingthe underlyingeconomicsocialandpoliticaldriversofviolentradicalization andterrorist recruitment(Archik2011 Briggs2006)
Emphasizingresilience highlightsthepositive attributesofcommunitiesandpersonsthathaveoftenbeenhighly stigmatizedinpublicdiscourses andcouldhelpto opendoorstocommunity‐governmentcollaborationButwhatexactly is resilience Canbuilding itreallypreventviolent extremismAndifsohowcanwedevelopprogramsand policiesto supportcommunities underthreat
TheObama administrationrsquosDecember2011 Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States offeredpreliminaryanswerstothesequestionsForexamplein asectionfocusedontheimportanceofenhancing federalengagementwithandsupportoflocalcommunitiestargetedby violentextremistsonesub‐objective(12)highlightedthe need to1) Fostercommunity‐ledpartnershipsandpreventativeprogramming to buildresilience againstviolent
extremist radicalization byexpandingcommunity‐based solutionsLeverageexistingmodelsofcommunityproblem‐solvingandpublicsafetyEnhanceFederalGovernmentcollaborationwithlocalgovernments andlawenforcementand Providecommunities withinformation andtrainingaccesstoresourcesandgrantsandconnectionswiththephilanthropic andprivate sectors(WhiteHouse2011 p10)
Inorderfortheseeffortstosucceedwhatare alsoneeded are models andinterventions that arewell supportedbytheoryandempirical evidence andthat arefeasibleacceptableandappropriateto communitiesand their membersTo thisendtheauthorsconductedethnographicresearch intheSomali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulinorderto 1) characterizehowsocialexperiences impactinvolvement in violent extremismfordiasporayouthand youngadults2)understandhowresilience mightpreventviolent extremismincommunitiesunder threat and 3)informthedevelopment ofpreventionstrategiesthatincorporatebothsecurityandpsychosocialdimensionsandarebasedontheoryevidenceandcommunitycollaboration
Betweenlate2007 and Autumn2008atleast 17Somali‐American adolescentboysandyoungmenlivingintheMinneapolis‐StPaularea secretlylefttheirhomesand flew to Somaliatojointraining campsrunbytheAlShabaaborganization(Elliot2009 Weine etal2010)TheseactivitiesproducedthefirstUScitizensuicidebomberShirwaAhmedwhoonOctober292008killedatleast30peopleincludingUNaidworkers inHargeisa‐BosasoSomalia(Elliot2009) These adolescentboys andyoung menleft intwowaveswith thesecond wavebeing alittleyoungerandmoreacademicthanthefirstThissecondwaveincludedBurhanHassana 17‐year‐oldA‐studentandsenioratRooseveltHighSchoolaswellasotherhighschoolanduniversitystudentsthusonceagaindispelling theassumptionthat onlyunsuccessfulor mentallyillpersonsbecome involvedin terrorism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 3
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Tounderstandhowsomepersonsgetinvolvedinviolent extremismexpertanalyseshavedevelopedtheoriesof ldquopathwaysrdquo withpush andpullfactorsinfluencingindividualtrajectories(Atran2010Horgan2008a2008bamp2009McCauleyandMoskalenko2008Moghaddam2005Sageman2008)Takingthisperspectivefactors thatmayhavepushedtheseSomali‐American adolescentboysandyoung mentoward violent radicalization werewidespreadand include exposuretowarin theirhomecountryandforced migrationpriortocomingtotheUnitedStates poverty broken familiesduetotherefugee experience (especially theabsenceoffathers)orracialorreligiousdiscriminationFactorsthatmayhavepulledthemtowardviolentradicalization weremorediscrete intimeand spaceand includeexposureto violent extremismon theInternet theEthiopian invasion ofSomaliaandriseofAlShabaab culturally‐inscribedcopingmechanismssuchastheSomaliwarrior tradition oraffiliation withcharismatic malerecruiterswhocouldspeaktoadolescentboys andyoungmenabouttheseissueswithauthoritygiventhelack offathersor powerfulmeninsomeof theirlivesAnemergingdiscourseonhomegrownterrorism hasgonebeyondaldquopathwayrdquoapproachtoconsidermultiplelevelsof risk factorsincludingthoseatthecommunityandfamilylevelsaspartof abroaderldquoecologicalrdquoview(Briggs2006Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Weineetal 2009Weine2011)Thisstudyaddressedtheabovefactorsbutfromanecologicalperspective
Inthisresearchthere wasnopresumptionthatwhatever knowledgewasbuiltregardingSomali‐AmericansinMinneapolis‐StPaulwouldnecessarilyapplytootherSomali‐American communitiesortootherMuslimdiaspora communitiestargeted byviolentextremistsAlthoughIslamis one worldreligiontherearemanydifferentMuslim religiousbeliefs andpracticesandtherearedistinct immigrant and refugeecommunities ofMuslimsin the US(Ramadan2009)That beingsaidtherecouldbeuseful continuities acrosscommunities andgroupsbuttheseareinneedof thoughtfulreflectionutilizingcross‐culturalandsite‐basedapproachesthatcouldhelptoidentify possiblesimilarities anddifferences betweencommunities
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 4
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
BACKGROUND
Thirty years ofwarin Somaliahasledtoanestimated1 millionSomalisbeing forciblydisplacedlargenumbersofwhomwereresettledinEuropeanUnioncountriesAustraliaCanadaandtheUnitedStates(KusowampBjork2007 Horst2006FarahMuchieampGundel2007) Prior researchconducted in these resettlementcountrieshasfocusedonunderstandingand addressing thepsychosocialneeds ofSomalisinthediaspora
Forexampleresearch hasshown thatSomalisin theUKandDenmarkstruggled withissues ofidentityandbelongingand that secondhandnarrativesofidentity fromfamilyandcommunitymembersplayedanimportantroleinovercoming theseissues (Valentine 2009) Sportondescribedhowproblemswithsocialexclusionand discrimination againstSomalisintheUKcouldhavecontributedtosomeyoungSomalisparticipating intheJuly11Londonbombings(2006)In astudycomparingVietnameseIranianandSomaliyouthandfamiliesin theUnitedStatesSomalimothersweretheonlygrouptostateapreference forstilllivingin their homeland(McBrien2011) Post‐resettlement stressors acculturativestress and especiallyperceiveddiscriminationhavebeen found tobeassociatedwithgreaterPTSD(Ellis2008)ExperiencingdiscriminationwascommonandassociatedwithworsementalhealthforSomaliboysintheUnitedStateswhereas participationinAmericanculturewasassociatedwithbettermental health(Ellis2010)
Severalreportshave focusedon theSomalifamilywhichisnot only anuclearbutanextendedfamily Theculturalsayingldquounityispowerrdquo underlies thestrong sense offamilyloyaltyintheSomalicommunityParents tend toconceiveoftheirparenting asbeingldquoguardiansrdquooftheirchildrenandemphasizeprovidingeducationandtraining morethan emotionalsupport(Heitritter 1999)InresettlementcountriesSomalifamilieshave experienceddifficulties associatedwiththeprevalenceofsingle‐parent families isolationfeelingsofdisloyaltymissingfamilymemberschildrenrsquosdisrespectfor generationalboundaries andtheover‐intrusion ofauthoritiesorproviders (Heitritter1999)Atthesame timeseveralprotectivefactorshave beenidentifiedincluding familyattachmentand stabilitystrongsocialskillspro‐socialrelationshipsreligionacademicachievementaccesstocommunityresources(BRCYS2009)and senseof belonging inschool(Ellisetal2007)
WhenSomaliadolescentsseekhelp theytendtofirstapproach friendsfamilyteachersand religiousleaders(so calledldquogatewayprovidersrdquo)buttheyhave astrong tendencytohide theirproblemsbecause theydoldquonot want toburdenparentswiththeirownworriesrdquo(Ellis 2011p804)Somali youthandfamilies seemanybarrierstoseekingcare includingtheir distrustofauthoritythe stigma associatedwithmentalillnessandlinguisticandculturalbarriersInSomaliaasinmanyotherAfricancountriesthereislittleprecedent forparentsbeing highlyinvolvedwithteachersorschoolofficialswhichcansetthemupforchallengesin USresettlement (BRYCS2009)
There arebelievedtobe60000SomalisinMinnesotathelargestpopulationoutsideof EastAfricaManyliveintheCedarRiversideneighborhoodinalow‐incomehousingdevelopmentknownastheTowersMostMinnesotaSomalisarrivedviasecondary migration choosingtomovetoMinnesotaafterlivingforatime intheir initialrefugeeplacementlocalewhichmeansthatthey arenot eligibleforfederaldollarsforhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices(Weineetal2011 WeineLevin HakizimanaDanweigh2011)In 2008amongSomali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐StPaultheunemploymentrate was17themedian income$14367andthepovertylevel42(Kasperetal 2009 City ofMinneapolis2009)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 5
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐AmericanyouthinMinneapolisareoftenreferredtoasldquoGeneration 15 Mostwere borninawar‐torncountryraisedinrefugeecampsinKenya andthensettled inimpoverishedandghettoizedUScommunitieswheretheywatched thewar in SomaliaonYouTube Thoughthey weretooyoungtodirectly experience the warmosthavelostfamilymembersand heardtalkaboutthe warfromothers
Theemergingdiscourse in academiaonSomali‐Americans hastypicallyfocusedontheir vulnerabilities(Weineetal2010)Vulnerabilitiescitedincludepriorexposuretopersonaltraumalivinginpovertybeingraisedinbroken families andorwithsinglemothersexposuretoanexcessofwarimagesand experiencing discrimination A largeepidemiologicalsurveyconductedinMinneapolis‐StPaulin2004foundthat37ofSomaliwomenand25ofSomalimenhadbeentortured andthattorturesurvivorsreported significantly moresymptomsofPTSD andmorephysical andpsychologicalproblems(Jaransonetal2004)Anotherstudyin Minneapolis‐StPaulfoundthatnearly halfofSomalimothers were torturesurvivors morethan a quarterhadnoformaleducationand 70 weresingleparents(Robertsonet al 2006)
Otherresearchconductedin the Somali‐AmericancommunityinMinneapolis‐St Paulhasdescribedunsafe neighborhoods(Hirsi2009a)andproblemswithcivicengagement(Dickson2011) Thelatterreported thatldquothedeepestproblemamongSomalicommunities in Minnesota mightbelsquothehollowing outoftheir civicspiritrsquordquo(Dickinson p114)Nderu(2005) describedapatternofldquoperipheral supportrdquoofSomalichildrenbytheirparents whichincludedfathers notbeing asinvolved asmothersandcalledforbetter effortstobridge theculturalgapbetweenfamiliesand schools Ailitolppa‐Nitamo(2004)reportedonthechallengesfacedbyparents whowereilliterateuneducatedandunemployedwhichledthemtobemoreisolatedfrommainstreamsociety Robillos(2001p18) reportedon theparticularneedsofmaleadolescentswho ldquoespecially expressedthedesireforaplacetosocializeplaysportsorhavefunafterschoolrdquoSomalimothersexpressedconcernabouttheiryouthgettingintoconflictwithothersafterschoolreportingthatldquotaunting andfightsoccurlsquowhentheycomehomeThatrsquoswhentheyteasethemrsquordquo(McBrien2010p82)However these mothersdidnrsquotnecessarilyunderstandEnglishwellenoughtoknowwhattheconflictswereabout
Inadditiontothefamily andcommunityvulnerabilities orrisk factorsdescribedabovestudieshavedescribedthestrengthsoftheSomali‐Americancommunity These includeastrongsense ofcommunity identitytheestablishmentofSomaliSchoolsor dugsisresistance toAmerican racismandsupportfor childrenand their education(Kapteigns and Arman2008)
Finallythis researchbuiltupon priorandongoingresearchwithrefugeeand immigrant familiesfromotherAfricancountrieswhichhasindicatedthe importanceof examining factors suchasthetransnationalfamilyfamilysolidarityparent‐childcommunicationparentalmonitoring andsupervisionparentalschoolinvolvementand racialethnicsocialization(Berns‐McGown2008StevensonampArrington2009Weine2008Weine andSiddiqui2009Weine etal2008Weineetal2009Weine etal2011) Theseareareas inwhichparents often face great difficulties andoftenlacksupportfromthe communityatlargeandfromcommunity‐basedservices Inthat sensethefocus onfamiliesisnecessarily connected withthefocusoncommunitiesbecausefamiliesneedthesupportofcommunitiesinordertobestrongandprotectiveoftheirchildren(Ungar 2008)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 6
Resilience is neither entirely individual nor entirely social but an interactive combination (Luthar and Zigler 1991) Tounderstand resilience it isnecessary tolookbeyondindividualcharacteristics andalsoexamine familycommunitysocietalstateandglobal characteristics
Youth can be resilient to some risks but not to others (Luthar and Zigler 1991)
When youth face risks from socio‐economic and sociocultural adversities their family is often the strongest buffer against the associated risks (Weine and Siddiqui 2009)
For diaspora communities perceptions of the characteristics of resilience are shaped as much by the home country and refugee camp internment as by American values and institutions (Weine et al 2011) Indiasporacommunitieshigher resiliencedoesnrsquotnecessarilymean greater alignment with American societyanditsvalues
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KEY CONCEPTS
Thissection describesthekeyconceptsthatinformedthisstudyonbuildingcommunityresilience to counterviolentextremismThese includeresilienceprotective resourcesopportunitystructuresandpreventiveinterventionsTheseconceptsare brieflydefinedandelaboratedwithsomerelevant research
ResilienceResilienceisatermborrowedfrom engineeringwhere it refers toldquothecapacityofamaterialorsystemtoreturn to equilibriumafter a displacementrdquo (BodinampWiman 2004)Communitypsychologistsuseresilience torefertoa process shapedbyresourcesndashsuchas economicdevelopmentsocialcapitalinformationandcommunicationandcommunitycompetencendashthat mayleadto adaptation aftera disturbanceoradversity(Norris StevensPfefferbaumBWycheampPfefferbaumRL2008)
Thoughresiliencehasbeen increasinglycited byterrorism experts andpolicymakers asan essentialconsiderationwhendevelopingprogramstocounterviolent extremismresearch onresiliencehasnotyetbeensystematicallyappliedto thiscontextOverthe past tenyearstherehasbeenan explosionof interest in resilience in theclinical community andfamilysciencesconcerningabroadrangeof adversities Whatdoesthisemergingknowledgeofresiliencetellusthatispotentiallyrelevantto countering violent extremism
Protective ResourcesProtective resourcesare social and psychosocialfactorsthatcanstopdelayordiminishnegativeoutcomes(Weine etal2011)Protectiveresourcesencompass notonlyresilience(egbouncingback)butalsoresistance(eg preventing)Protectiveresources canreside infamiliescommunitiesandinstitutions Thusfamilyprotectiveresourcesarefamilycapacitiesthatpromotepositive youthpsychosocialwellbeingCommunity protectiveresourcesworkeitherbybuildingfamilyprotective resourcesor byworkingdirectly upontheyouthtopromotepsychosocialwellbeingArangeofdifferentkindsofactorsinacommunitycanprovideprotectiveresourcessuchasteachersclergy coachesandelders
Opportunity StructuresStudiesof migrationhavedescribedthekeyroleofldquoopportunitystructuresrdquoinrelation tosuchoutcomesasinvolvement interrorismandsexualriskamongmigrants(ClarkeampNewman2006Hirschetal
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 7
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
2010)Theoriesofopportunitystructureholdthatldquotheprobabilityofsocialrelationsdependsonopportunitiesforcontactrdquo(Blau199429)Thisconceptfocusesnot justonindividualcharacteristics but onopportunities forbehaviorthat areprovidedbyagivensocialcontextItalsofollowsthatanopportunitystructurersquosinfluence onyouthandyoungadultscan becountered byldquoopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesrdquo whichmayalsobethoughtofasatypeofprotectiveresourcethatcontributes toresilience
Preventive InterventionsPreventive interventionsaimtoenhanceprotectiveresourcesat populationcommunityandfamilylevelssoastostoplessenor delaypossiblenegativeindividualmentalhealthandbehavioral outcomesPreventive interventionsoftenusemultilevelstrategiesthatsimultaneouslyaddressfamilysocialandstructuralissues(Schenschul etal2009 OrsquoConnellet al2009)
Thesekeyconceptsprovided the basisfor the researchquestionsthatwerestartingpoints fortheethnographicstudy
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 8
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
METHOD
Inthepast severaldecadesscholarsworkinginthepsychosocialarenahavebecomemoreinterested inapplyingethnographicmethods1 Ethnographicmethodsincludedatacollectionthroughinterviewswhereparticipantsare encouragedtospeakopenlyandfreelyandthroughparticipantobservationDatacollectionandanalysis areguided byaniterativeprocess wherebyinitialdatacollectionleadstorefinement ofquestionsandnew theoreticalinterpretationsleading tofurther datacollectionandinterpretationandculminating in newempirically‐basedmodels orfindings
Thesemethodsinparticularhave helpedthepublichealthandpsychosocialfieldstobetterunderstandanarrayof important issuessuch aslocalpatternsofdistresstheroleofculturelocalprocessesofchangethe insiderrsquosperspectiveandthecultureofserviceorganizationsForexampleethnographicmethodshavebeen appliedin the realmsofsurvivorsrsquotestimoniesof politicalviolencerefugeementalhealthmentalhealthreforminpost‐conflictcountries andHIVAIDSpreventionandlabormigration(Weine2006Weine AganiCintron2003 Weine etal2008 WeineBahromovMirzoev2008Weine2009Weineunderreview)
Theroleof thisethnographicstudywastogenerate amodelfor preventingviolentextremismthrough buildingcommunityresilience thatwasinformedbylocalvoices andanunderstandingofthe contextinMinneapolis‐StPaulinorderto supportthedevelopmentofpolicyandprograms
Sample and RecruitmentWeinterviewed57personswholivedorworkedinMinneapolis‐StPaulandwhowereeither1)Somali‐Americanyoungadultmales(ages 16to30)(n=18)2)Somali‐Americanparentsoradultfamilymembers(n=19)or3)serviceproviderswhoworkwiththeSomalicommunity(n=20)InthisreportthetermldquoSomali‐Americanrdquois not beingused onlytorefertoUScitizensPotentialsubjectswereinitiallyidentifiedbymembersofourresearch teamwhowere eithermembersoforfamiliarwiththeSomali‐Americancommunityand relevantgroupsandorganizationsPotentialsubjectswerechosenbothbecausetheresearchersthoughtthattheymayhavevaluableperspectivesontheresearchquestionsandtotry torepresentsomediversityofexperience within theSomali‐American communityBeforeparticipating in anyresearch activities participants were askedtogive informedconsent inaccordancewiththeresearchproceduresapprovedbytheUniversity ofIllinoisat ChicagoInstitutionalReviewBoard
InterviewsTheprincipalinvestigatorprovidedtraininginethnographicinterviewingtotheresearchteamwhichincludedrelevantreadingsandhands‐onexperience topractice skillsandtechniquesTrainingfocusedon1)approachestodevelopingsustainingandending relationswithsubjects2)proceduresforthe protection ofhumansubjects3)waysofdealingwithemergenciesandethicalproblemsincluding threats tothesafetyof researchers4)practiceinconducting minimally structuredinterviews(eg asking open‐endedquestionslearninghowandwhento probelearning tolisten)5)anintroductiontoAtlastianalysissoftwareand 6)intensiveintroductionstothetopicsofviolent extremismrefugeeyouthandfamilieslanguageandcultureDuringdatacollectionongoingsupervisionwasprovidedthroughtelephoneand face‐to‐face meetings
1 Thepsychosocialarenaencompasses mentalhealthhealth and socialserviceproviders and organizations who areengagedinunderstandingand helping individualsfamiliesandcommunities withproblems of a psychologicaldimensionthat occurin thecontext of complexsocial situations Thisincludes such issues as mentaland physicalillness violencesubstance abuse HIVAIDS andmigration‐related problems
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 9
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Datacollectionconsistedofone‐timeminimallystructuredinterviewslastingbetweenoneandtwohoursTheinterviewerswere threeSomali‐Americanswholived andworkedin theSomalicommunity inMinneapolis‐StPaulandtwoAmericanpsychiatristsDuringthese interviews participantswere encouraged totalkopenlyabout topicsandissuesthatfitwithintheoverallconcernsoftheresearchAtthebeginningofthe interviewstheresearchersstatedthe overallprojectaimsParticipants were then askedtospeakaboutwhatevertheywished intheorder thattheywishedRecognizingthat different peoplecanspeaktodifferentissuesdependingontheir ageandsituationthe interviewersleft ituptotheparticipantstodeterminehow muchdetailtheywantedtogo intoandgenerallyrespondedwithpromptstoencouragethemtosay more(asculturallySomalistendnottobeveryforthcomingininterviews)Theinterviewershadalistoftopicsforthepersontospeaktoandiftheydidnotspeak tothesetopicstheywere askedaboutthemThesetopicswere1)familyandcommunityprotectiveprocesses withrespecttoviolent extremism 2)communityknowledgeand attitudestowardsviolentextremism 3)theindividualfamilyandcommunityprocessesunderlyingrisks ofviolent extremism 4)thepotentialroleoflackofsocialintegration inviolent extremismand5)communityknowledge attitudesandbehaviorstowards lawenforcementThe majority of interviews weredigitallyrecorded andthentranscribed intoEnglishInthosecasesinwhichthe persondidnotpermitrecordingdetailed fieldnotes were taken bytheinterviewer
Data AnalysisThisstudy utilizedagroundedtheoryapproachtoqualitativedataanalysis(Charmaz2006Patton2002StraussampCorbin 1998)The groundedtheoryapproachis designedfor the developmentoftheorywithin thecontextofintensive fieldresearchwithqualitative data Specifically thisresearchusedan iterative analysisstrategythatcodedpatterns inqualitative data todescribecategories typologiesandprocessesleadingtothecreationofmodelsTheresearchers utilized Atlasticomputersoftwarewhichisdesigned formanaginglarge amountsofqualitativedata and applyinggroundedtheory methods (Muhr2004)Transcriptsofthe interviews translatedintoEnglishwere entered intoAtlasti
Theresearchersalsodecidedtoenterintothe Atlastidatabaseopen sourcematerialsfromthemediaorgovernmentconcerningSomali‐Americans inMinneapolisTheseincludedinformationonSomali‐Americans violent radicalizationandviolentextremismaswellasdirectquotationsfromfamilyandcommunitymembers2
Theanalysisbeganwithareading oftheentiredatasetof interviewtranscripts bytheresearchteammembersTheinitialreading yieldedasetofcategories thatcorrespondedwiththeinitialconceptualframeworkExamplecategorieswereindividualriskfactorsfor violentextremismfamilyriskfactorsforviolent extremismcommunityrisk factors for violent extremismfamilyprotectiveresourcesagainstviolent extremismcommunityprotectiveresourcesagainstviolentextremismandlawenforcementandculturalissuesThecompleteset ofcategoriesthencontributedtodevelopingacodingschemewithatotalof146codesThereadersalsokepttrackofotherdemographiccontextual andexperiential itemsthatwereimportantin understandingSomali‐Americanswhichin addition tobeingcoded were recorded throughwritingmemos Someexamplesincludedtheimpactofpovertycommunityviolence involvementwithInternetthe transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandgenderrolesinSomalifamilies Thesetooinformedthecoding
2 Thesequotationswere labeledand categorizeddifferentlyinthe database so thatwe could determinewhethera particular quotation camefromanintervieweeoranalternatesource
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 10
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
REFERENCES
Alitolppa‐NiitamoA2004SomaliYouthintheContextofSchoolinginMetropolitanHelsinkiAFrameworkforAssessingVariabilityinEducationalPerformance Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 3081‐106
ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Contents
ExecutiveSummaryhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip2
Backgroundhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip5
Conclusionshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip30
Introductionhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip3
KeyConceptshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip7
Methodhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip9
Resultshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip12
Referenceshelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip33
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 1
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Thisstudy askedmembersofthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaultodescribethechallenges ofliving in arefugeecommunityhowviolent extremists trytoexploittheirconditionforrecruitmentpurposesandwhatresourcesand strategiesareneededto minimize theirvulnerability Using ethnographicmethodsthisstudylookedattheeverydaylivesof Somali‐Americanadolescentboys andyoung meninthe contextof theirfamiliesandcommunities Itfoundopportunitiesforentering violent extremismaswellascapacities fordiminishingthoseopportunitiesBasedonempiricaldataand informedbyrelevant theoryit identifiedthemesandbuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunitiesfor ViolentExtremism (DOVE)whichcanhelp toinformpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilienceto violent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaul
Noonerisk factorexplained involvement inviolentextremism Ratheritwasthe interaction ofmultipleriskfactors atthepeer familycommunityglobalstateand societallevelsThese risk factors combinedtocreateanopportunitystructure forviolent extremismwiththreelevelsofopportunity1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesInvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresence ofallthreewithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwo
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldinvolvestrengtheningprotectiveresources orwhatare calledopportunity‐reducing capacities Furthermorefamilyandyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenprotectiveresourcesateachof thethreelevels ofopportunity Priorities includediminishing1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolent extremismand 3)thepotential forcontactswith terrorist recruitersor associates
Buildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremismshouldbeapproachedthrough community collaboration and capacity buildingInterventionsmay involvegovernmentcommunityandfamilies workingcollaborativelytoimproveeachotherrsquoscapacitiesSharedgoalscouldbe to1)collaborativelystrengthen families2) developcommunitysupportforfamilies andyouthand3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Onewayto determine priorityareasfor prevention mightincludeidentifying protectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotentialforaddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetweengovernmentcommunity andfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhance thesecapacitiesBasedonthe currentstudypromisingpreventive interventions in theSomali‐AmericancommunityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourcethatincludesinformationand trainingaboutrisksandsafeguards forusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2)providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunities for servicein theircommunity andhumanitarian and peaceworkthuscreating alternative waysforyouthtochanneltheirpassion forSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersandcriticalvoicesinthecommunityandonthe web
Additional research isneededincommunities underthreattoshowwhichactsofbuilding resilienceworkwithwhomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOneway todo thiswouldbetocollaboratewiththecommunity todeveloppilot andevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedprevention strategy in Minneapolis‐StPaul basedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunitiestargetedbyviolentextremists inthe UnitedStatesandabroadsoastorefinethemodelandapproachesthatcanreliablyassess communitiesatriskandhelptoinformandprioritizepreventionstrategies
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 2
2) 3) 4)
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
INTRODUCTION
OnMarch62011DennisMcDonoughDeputy NationalSecurityAdvisortoPresidentObamaspokeattheAllDullesAreaMuslimSociety inSterling VirginiaandmadethefollowingstatementldquoWeknowas thePresidentsaidthat thebestdefenseagainstterrorist ideologies isstrongand resilient individualsand communitiesrdquo(McDonough2011) McDonoughwasvoicingwhat theObamaAdministrationhadalready articulatedinits2010NationalSecurityStrategyin whichthewordldquoresiliencerdquoappearedmultipletimes(TheWhiteHouse2010)SeveralEuropeancountrieshavealsoacknowledgedthekeyroleofcivil society incounteringviolent extremismthrough forexampleamelioratingthe underlyingeconomicsocialandpoliticaldriversofviolentradicalization andterrorist recruitment(Archik2011 Briggs2006)
Emphasizingresilience highlightsthepositive attributesofcommunitiesandpersonsthathaveoftenbeenhighly stigmatizedinpublicdiscourses andcouldhelpto opendoorstocommunity‐governmentcollaborationButwhatexactly is resilience Canbuilding itreallypreventviolent extremismAndifsohowcanwedevelopprogramsand policiesto supportcommunities underthreat
TheObama administrationrsquosDecember2011 Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States offeredpreliminaryanswerstothesequestionsForexamplein asectionfocusedontheimportanceofenhancing federalengagementwithandsupportoflocalcommunitiestargetedby violentextremistsonesub‐objective(12)highlightedthe need to1) Fostercommunity‐ledpartnershipsandpreventativeprogramming to buildresilience againstviolent
extremist radicalization byexpandingcommunity‐based solutionsLeverageexistingmodelsofcommunityproblem‐solvingandpublicsafetyEnhanceFederalGovernmentcollaborationwithlocalgovernments andlawenforcementand Providecommunities withinformation andtrainingaccesstoresourcesandgrantsandconnectionswiththephilanthropic andprivate sectors(WhiteHouse2011 p10)
Inorderfortheseeffortstosucceedwhatare alsoneeded are models andinterventions that arewell supportedbytheoryandempirical evidence andthat arefeasibleacceptableandappropriateto communitiesand their membersTo thisendtheauthorsconductedethnographicresearch intheSomali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulinorderto 1) characterizehowsocialexperiences impactinvolvement in violent extremismfordiasporayouthand youngadults2)understandhowresilience mightpreventviolent extremismincommunitiesunder threat and 3)informthedevelopment ofpreventionstrategiesthatincorporatebothsecurityandpsychosocialdimensionsandarebasedontheoryevidenceandcommunitycollaboration
Betweenlate2007 and Autumn2008atleast 17Somali‐American adolescentboysandyoungmenlivingintheMinneapolis‐StPaularea secretlylefttheirhomesand flew to Somaliatojointraining campsrunbytheAlShabaaborganization(Elliot2009 Weine etal2010)TheseactivitiesproducedthefirstUScitizensuicidebomberShirwaAhmedwhoonOctober292008killedatleast30peopleincludingUNaidworkers inHargeisa‐BosasoSomalia(Elliot2009) These adolescentboys andyoung menleft intwowaveswith thesecond wavebeing alittleyoungerandmoreacademicthanthefirstThissecondwaveincludedBurhanHassana 17‐year‐oldA‐studentandsenioratRooseveltHighSchoolaswellasotherhighschoolanduniversitystudentsthusonceagaindispelling theassumptionthat onlyunsuccessfulor mentallyillpersonsbecome involvedin terrorism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 3
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Tounderstandhowsomepersonsgetinvolvedinviolent extremismexpertanalyseshavedevelopedtheoriesof ldquopathwaysrdquo withpush andpullfactorsinfluencingindividualtrajectories(Atran2010Horgan2008a2008bamp2009McCauleyandMoskalenko2008Moghaddam2005Sageman2008)Takingthisperspectivefactors thatmayhavepushedtheseSomali‐American adolescentboysandyoung mentoward violent radicalization werewidespreadand include exposuretowarin theirhomecountryandforced migrationpriortocomingtotheUnitedStates poverty broken familiesduetotherefugee experience (especially theabsenceoffathers)orracialorreligiousdiscriminationFactorsthatmayhavepulledthemtowardviolentradicalization weremorediscrete intimeand spaceand includeexposureto violent extremismon theInternet theEthiopian invasion ofSomaliaandriseofAlShabaab culturally‐inscribedcopingmechanismssuchastheSomaliwarrior tradition oraffiliation withcharismatic malerecruiterswhocouldspeaktoadolescentboys andyoungmenabouttheseissueswithauthoritygiventhelack offathersor powerfulmeninsomeof theirlivesAnemergingdiscourseonhomegrownterrorism hasgonebeyondaldquopathwayrdquoapproachtoconsidermultiplelevelsof risk factorsincludingthoseatthecommunityandfamilylevelsaspartof abroaderldquoecologicalrdquoview(Briggs2006Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Weineetal 2009Weine2011)Thisstudyaddressedtheabovefactorsbutfromanecologicalperspective
Inthisresearchthere wasnopresumptionthatwhatever knowledgewasbuiltregardingSomali‐AmericansinMinneapolis‐StPaulwouldnecessarilyapplytootherSomali‐American communitiesortootherMuslimdiaspora communitiestargeted byviolentextremistsAlthoughIslamis one worldreligiontherearemanydifferentMuslim religiousbeliefs andpracticesandtherearedistinct immigrant and refugeecommunities ofMuslimsin the US(Ramadan2009)That beingsaidtherecouldbeuseful continuities acrosscommunities andgroupsbuttheseareinneedof thoughtfulreflectionutilizingcross‐culturalandsite‐basedapproachesthatcouldhelptoidentify possiblesimilarities anddifferences betweencommunities
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 4
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
BACKGROUND
Thirty years ofwarin Somaliahasledtoanestimated1 millionSomalisbeing forciblydisplacedlargenumbersofwhomwereresettledinEuropeanUnioncountriesAustraliaCanadaandtheUnitedStates(KusowampBjork2007 Horst2006FarahMuchieampGundel2007) Prior researchconducted in these resettlementcountrieshasfocusedonunderstandingand addressing thepsychosocialneeds ofSomalisinthediaspora
Forexampleresearch hasshown thatSomalisin theUKandDenmarkstruggled withissues ofidentityandbelongingand that secondhandnarrativesofidentity fromfamilyandcommunitymembersplayedanimportantroleinovercoming theseissues (Valentine 2009) Sportondescribedhowproblemswithsocialexclusionand discrimination againstSomalisintheUKcouldhavecontributedtosomeyoungSomalisparticipating intheJuly11Londonbombings(2006)In astudycomparingVietnameseIranianandSomaliyouthandfamiliesin theUnitedStatesSomalimothersweretheonlygrouptostateapreference forstilllivingin their homeland(McBrien2011) Post‐resettlement stressors acculturativestress and especiallyperceiveddiscriminationhavebeen found tobeassociatedwithgreaterPTSD(Ellis2008)ExperiencingdiscriminationwascommonandassociatedwithworsementalhealthforSomaliboysintheUnitedStateswhereas participationinAmericanculturewasassociatedwithbettermental health(Ellis2010)
Severalreportshave focusedon theSomalifamilywhichisnot only anuclearbutanextendedfamily Theculturalsayingldquounityispowerrdquo underlies thestrong sense offamilyloyaltyintheSomalicommunityParents tend toconceiveoftheirparenting asbeingldquoguardiansrdquooftheirchildrenandemphasizeprovidingeducationandtraining morethan emotionalsupport(Heitritter 1999)InresettlementcountriesSomalifamilieshave experienceddifficulties associatedwiththeprevalenceofsingle‐parent families isolationfeelingsofdisloyaltymissingfamilymemberschildrenrsquosdisrespectfor generationalboundaries andtheover‐intrusion ofauthoritiesorproviders (Heitritter1999)Atthesame timeseveralprotectivefactorshave beenidentifiedincluding familyattachmentand stabilitystrongsocialskillspro‐socialrelationshipsreligionacademicachievementaccesstocommunityresources(BRCYS2009)and senseof belonging inschool(Ellisetal2007)
WhenSomaliadolescentsseekhelp theytendtofirstapproach friendsfamilyteachersand religiousleaders(so calledldquogatewayprovidersrdquo)buttheyhave astrong tendencytohide theirproblemsbecause theydoldquonot want toburdenparentswiththeirownworriesrdquo(Ellis 2011p804)Somali youthandfamilies seemanybarrierstoseekingcare includingtheir distrustofauthoritythe stigma associatedwithmentalillnessandlinguisticandculturalbarriersInSomaliaasinmanyotherAfricancountriesthereislittleprecedent forparentsbeing highlyinvolvedwithteachersorschoolofficialswhichcansetthemupforchallengesin USresettlement (BRYCS2009)
There arebelievedtobe60000SomalisinMinnesotathelargestpopulationoutsideof EastAfricaManyliveintheCedarRiversideneighborhoodinalow‐incomehousingdevelopmentknownastheTowersMostMinnesotaSomalisarrivedviasecondary migration choosingtomovetoMinnesotaafterlivingforatime intheir initialrefugeeplacementlocalewhichmeansthatthey arenot eligibleforfederaldollarsforhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices(Weineetal2011 WeineLevin HakizimanaDanweigh2011)In 2008amongSomali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐StPaultheunemploymentrate was17themedian income$14367andthepovertylevel42(Kasperetal 2009 City ofMinneapolis2009)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 5
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐AmericanyouthinMinneapolisareoftenreferredtoasldquoGeneration 15 Mostwere borninawar‐torncountryraisedinrefugeecampsinKenya andthensettled inimpoverishedandghettoizedUScommunitieswheretheywatched thewar in SomaliaonYouTube Thoughthey weretooyoungtodirectly experience the warmosthavelostfamilymembersand heardtalkaboutthe warfromothers
Theemergingdiscourse in academiaonSomali‐Americans hastypicallyfocusedontheir vulnerabilities(Weineetal2010)Vulnerabilitiescitedincludepriorexposuretopersonaltraumalivinginpovertybeingraisedinbroken families andorwithsinglemothersexposuretoanexcessofwarimagesand experiencing discrimination A largeepidemiologicalsurveyconductedinMinneapolis‐StPaulin2004foundthat37ofSomaliwomenand25ofSomalimenhadbeentortured andthattorturesurvivorsreported significantly moresymptomsofPTSD andmorephysical andpsychologicalproblems(Jaransonetal2004)Anotherstudyin Minneapolis‐StPaulfoundthatnearly halfofSomalimothers were torturesurvivors morethan a quarterhadnoformaleducationand 70 weresingleparents(Robertsonet al 2006)
Otherresearchconductedin the Somali‐AmericancommunityinMinneapolis‐St Paulhasdescribedunsafe neighborhoods(Hirsi2009a)andproblemswithcivicengagement(Dickson2011) Thelatterreported thatldquothedeepestproblemamongSomalicommunities in Minnesota mightbelsquothehollowing outoftheir civicspiritrsquordquo(Dickinson p114)Nderu(2005) describedapatternofldquoperipheral supportrdquoofSomalichildrenbytheirparents whichincludedfathers notbeing asinvolved asmothersandcalledforbetter effortstobridge theculturalgapbetweenfamiliesand schools Ailitolppa‐Nitamo(2004)reportedonthechallengesfacedbyparents whowereilliterateuneducatedandunemployedwhichledthemtobemoreisolatedfrommainstreamsociety Robillos(2001p18) reportedon theparticularneedsofmaleadolescentswho ldquoespecially expressedthedesireforaplacetosocializeplaysportsorhavefunafterschoolrdquoSomalimothersexpressedconcernabouttheiryouthgettingintoconflictwithothersafterschoolreportingthatldquotaunting andfightsoccurlsquowhentheycomehomeThatrsquoswhentheyteasethemrsquordquo(McBrien2010p82)However these mothersdidnrsquotnecessarilyunderstandEnglishwellenoughtoknowwhattheconflictswereabout
Inadditiontothefamily andcommunityvulnerabilities orrisk factorsdescribedabovestudieshavedescribedthestrengthsoftheSomali‐Americancommunity These includeastrongsense ofcommunity identitytheestablishmentofSomaliSchoolsor dugsisresistance toAmerican racismandsupportfor childrenand their education(Kapteigns and Arman2008)
Finallythis researchbuiltupon priorandongoingresearchwithrefugeeand immigrant familiesfromotherAfricancountrieswhichhasindicatedthe importanceof examining factors suchasthetransnationalfamilyfamilysolidarityparent‐childcommunicationparentalmonitoring andsupervisionparentalschoolinvolvementand racialethnicsocialization(Berns‐McGown2008StevensonampArrington2009Weine2008Weine andSiddiqui2009Weine etal2008Weineetal2009Weine etal2011) Theseareareas inwhichparents often face great difficulties andoftenlacksupportfromthe communityatlargeandfromcommunity‐basedservices Inthat sensethefocus onfamiliesisnecessarily connected withthefocusoncommunitiesbecausefamiliesneedthesupportofcommunitiesinordertobestrongandprotectiveoftheirchildren(Ungar 2008)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 6
Resilience is neither entirely individual nor entirely social but an interactive combination (Luthar and Zigler 1991) Tounderstand resilience it isnecessary tolookbeyondindividualcharacteristics andalsoexamine familycommunitysocietalstateandglobal characteristics
Youth can be resilient to some risks but not to others (Luthar and Zigler 1991)
When youth face risks from socio‐economic and sociocultural adversities their family is often the strongest buffer against the associated risks (Weine and Siddiqui 2009)
For diaspora communities perceptions of the characteristics of resilience are shaped as much by the home country and refugee camp internment as by American values and institutions (Weine et al 2011) Indiasporacommunitieshigher resiliencedoesnrsquotnecessarilymean greater alignment with American societyanditsvalues
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KEY CONCEPTS
Thissection describesthekeyconceptsthatinformedthisstudyonbuildingcommunityresilience to counterviolentextremismThese includeresilienceprotective resourcesopportunitystructuresandpreventiveinterventionsTheseconceptsare brieflydefinedandelaboratedwithsomerelevant research
ResilienceResilienceisatermborrowedfrom engineeringwhere it refers toldquothecapacityofamaterialorsystemtoreturn to equilibriumafter a displacementrdquo (BodinampWiman 2004)Communitypsychologistsuseresilience torefertoa process shapedbyresourcesndashsuchas economicdevelopmentsocialcapitalinformationandcommunicationandcommunitycompetencendashthat mayleadto adaptation aftera disturbanceoradversity(Norris StevensPfefferbaumBWycheampPfefferbaumRL2008)
Thoughresiliencehasbeen increasinglycited byterrorism experts andpolicymakers asan essentialconsiderationwhendevelopingprogramstocounterviolent extremismresearch onresiliencehasnotyetbeensystematicallyappliedto thiscontextOverthe past tenyearstherehasbeenan explosionof interest in resilience in theclinical community andfamilysciencesconcerningabroadrangeof adversities Whatdoesthisemergingknowledgeofresiliencetellusthatispotentiallyrelevantto countering violent extremism
Protective ResourcesProtective resourcesare social and psychosocialfactorsthatcanstopdelayordiminishnegativeoutcomes(Weine etal2011)Protectiveresourcesencompass notonlyresilience(egbouncingback)butalsoresistance(eg preventing)Protectiveresources canreside infamiliescommunitiesandinstitutions Thusfamilyprotectiveresourcesarefamilycapacitiesthatpromotepositive youthpsychosocialwellbeingCommunity protectiveresourcesworkeitherbybuildingfamilyprotective resourcesor byworkingdirectly upontheyouthtopromotepsychosocialwellbeingArangeofdifferentkindsofactorsinacommunitycanprovideprotectiveresourcessuchasteachersclergy coachesandelders
Opportunity StructuresStudiesof migrationhavedescribedthekeyroleofldquoopportunitystructuresrdquoinrelation tosuchoutcomesasinvolvement interrorismandsexualriskamongmigrants(ClarkeampNewman2006Hirschetal
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 7
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
2010)Theoriesofopportunitystructureholdthatldquotheprobabilityofsocialrelationsdependsonopportunitiesforcontactrdquo(Blau199429)Thisconceptfocusesnot justonindividualcharacteristics but onopportunities forbehaviorthat areprovidedbyagivensocialcontextItalsofollowsthatanopportunitystructurersquosinfluence onyouthandyoungadultscan becountered byldquoopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesrdquo whichmayalsobethoughtofasatypeofprotectiveresourcethatcontributes toresilience
Preventive InterventionsPreventive interventionsaimtoenhanceprotectiveresourcesat populationcommunityandfamilylevelssoastostoplessenor delaypossiblenegativeindividualmentalhealthandbehavioral outcomesPreventive interventionsoftenusemultilevelstrategiesthatsimultaneouslyaddressfamilysocialandstructuralissues(Schenschul etal2009 OrsquoConnellet al2009)
Thesekeyconceptsprovided the basisfor the researchquestionsthatwerestartingpoints fortheethnographicstudy
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 8
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
METHOD
Inthepast severaldecadesscholarsworkinginthepsychosocialarenahavebecomemoreinterested inapplyingethnographicmethods1 Ethnographicmethodsincludedatacollectionthroughinterviewswhereparticipantsare encouragedtospeakopenlyandfreelyandthroughparticipantobservationDatacollectionandanalysis areguided byaniterativeprocess wherebyinitialdatacollectionleadstorefinement ofquestionsandnew theoreticalinterpretationsleading tofurther datacollectionandinterpretationandculminating in newempirically‐basedmodels orfindings
Thesemethodsinparticularhave helpedthepublichealthandpsychosocialfieldstobetterunderstandanarrayof important issuessuch aslocalpatternsofdistresstheroleofculturelocalprocessesofchangethe insiderrsquosperspectiveandthecultureofserviceorganizationsForexampleethnographicmethodshavebeen appliedin the realmsofsurvivorsrsquotestimoniesof politicalviolencerefugeementalhealthmentalhealthreforminpost‐conflictcountries andHIVAIDSpreventionandlabormigration(Weine2006Weine AganiCintron2003 Weine etal2008 WeineBahromovMirzoev2008Weine2009Weineunderreview)
Theroleof thisethnographicstudywastogenerate amodelfor preventingviolentextremismthrough buildingcommunityresilience thatwasinformedbylocalvoices andanunderstandingofthe contextinMinneapolis‐StPaulinorderto supportthedevelopmentofpolicyandprograms
Sample and RecruitmentWeinterviewed57personswholivedorworkedinMinneapolis‐StPaulandwhowereeither1)Somali‐Americanyoungadultmales(ages 16to30)(n=18)2)Somali‐Americanparentsoradultfamilymembers(n=19)or3)serviceproviderswhoworkwiththeSomalicommunity(n=20)InthisreportthetermldquoSomali‐Americanrdquois not beingused onlytorefertoUScitizensPotentialsubjectswereinitiallyidentifiedbymembersofourresearch teamwhowere eithermembersoforfamiliarwiththeSomali‐Americancommunityand relevantgroupsandorganizationsPotentialsubjectswerechosenbothbecausetheresearchersthoughtthattheymayhavevaluableperspectivesontheresearchquestionsandtotry torepresentsomediversityofexperience within theSomali‐American communityBeforeparticipating in anyresearch activities participants were askedtogive informedconsent inaccordancewiththeresearchproceduresapprovedbytheUniversity ofIllinoisat ChicagoInstitutionalReviewBoard
InterviewsTheprincipalinvestigatorprovidedtraininginethnographicinterviewingtotheresearchteamwhichincludedrelevantreadingsandhands‐onexperience topractice skillsandtechniquesTrainingfocusedon1)approachestodevelopingsustainingandending relationswithsubjects2)proceduresforthe protection ofhumansubjects3)waysofdealingwithemergenciesandethicalproblemsincluding threats tothesafetyof researchers4)practiceinconducting minimally structuredinterviews(eg asking open‐endedquestionslearninghowandwhento probelearning tolisten)5)anintroductiontoAtlastianalysissoftwareand 6)intensiveintroductionstothetopicsofviolent extremismrefugeeyouthandfamilieslanguageandcultureDuringdatacollectionongoingsupervisionwasprovidedthroughtelephoneand face‐to‐face meetings
1 Thepsychosocialarenaencompasses mentalhealthhealth and socialserviceproviders and organizations who areengagedinunderstandingand helping individualsfamiliesandcommunities withproblems of a psychologicaldimensionthat occurin thecontext of complexsocial situations Thisincludes such issues as mentaland physicalillness violencesubstance abuse HIVAIDS andmigration‐related problems
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 9
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Datacollectionconsistedofone‐timeminimallystructuredinterviewslastingbetweenoneandtwohoursTheinterviewerswere threeSomali‐Americanswholived andworkedin theSomalicommunity inMinneapolis‐StPaulandtwoAmericanpsychiatristsDuringthese interviews participantswere encouraged totalkopenlyabout topicsandissuesthatfitwithintheoverallconcernsoftheresearchAtthebeginningofthe interviewstheresearchersstatedthe overallprojectaimsParticipants were then askedtospeakaboutwhatevertheywished intheorder thattheywishedRecognizingthat different peoplecanspeaktodifferentissuesdependingontheir ageandsituationthe interviewersleft ituptotheparticipantstodeterminehow muchdetailtheywantedtogo intoandgenerallyrespondedwithpromptstoencouragethemtosay more(asculturallySomalistendnottobeveryforthcomingininterviews)Theinterviewershadalistoftopicsforthepersontospeaktoandiftheydidnotspeak tothesetopicstheywere askedaboutthemThesetopicswere1)familyandcommunityprotectiveprocesses withrespecttoviolent extremism 2)communityknowledgeand attitudestowardsviolentextremism 3)theindividualfamilyandcommunityprocessesunderlyingrisks ofviolent extremism 4)thepotentialroleoflackofsocialintegration inviolent extremismand5)communityknowledge attitudesandbehaviorstowards lawenforcementThe majority of interviews weredigitallyrecorded andthentranscribed intoEnglishInthosecasesinwhichthe persondidnotpermitrecordingdetailed fieldnotes were taken bytheinterviewer
Data AnalysisThisstudy utilizedagroundedtheoryapproachtoqualitativedataanalysis(Charmaz2006Patton2002StraussampCorbin 1998)The groundedtheoryapproachis designedfor the developmentoftheorywithin thecontextofintensive fieldresearchwithqualitative data Specifically thisresearchusedan iterative analysisstrategythatcodedpatterns inqualitative data todescribecategories typologiesandprocessesleadingtothecreationofmodelsTheresearchers utilized Atlasticomputersoftwarewhichisdesigned formanaginglarge amountsofqualitativedata and applyinggroundedtheory methods (Muhr2004)Transcriptsofthe interviews translatedintoEnglishwere entered intoAtlasti
Theresearchersalsodecidedtoenterintothe Atlastidatabaseopen sourcematerialsfromthemediaorgovernmentconcerningSomali‐Americans inMinneapolisTheseincludedinformationonSomali‐Americans violent radicalizationandviolentextremismaswellasdirectquotationsfromfamilyandcommunitymembers2
Theanalysisbeganwithareading oftheentiredatasetof interviewtranscripts bytheresearchteammembersTheinitialreading yieldedasetofcategories thatcorrespondedwiththeinitialconceptualframeworkExamplecategorieswereindividualriskfactorsfor violentextremismfamilyriskfactorsforviolent extremismcommunityrisk factors for violent extremismfamilyprotectiveresourcesagainstviolent extremismcommunityprotectiveresourcesagainstviolentextremismandlawenforcementandculturalissuesThecompleteset ofcategoriesthencontributedtodevelopingacodingschemewithatotalof146codesThereadersalsokepttrackofotherdemographiccontextual andexperiential itemsthatwereimportantin understandingSomali‐Americanswhichin addition tobeingcoded were recorded throughwritingmemos Someexamplesincludedtheimpactofpovertycommunityviolence involvementwithInternetthe transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandgenderrolesinSomalifamilies Thesetooinformedthecoding
2 Thesequotationswere labeledand categorizeddifferentlyinthe database so thatwe could determinewhethera particular quotation camefromanintervieweeoranalternatesource
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 10
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
REFERENCES
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Thisstudy askedmembersofthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaultodescribethechallenges ofliving in arefugeecommunityhowviolent extremists trytoexploittheirconditionforrecruitmentpurposesandwhatresourcesand strategiesareneededto minimize theirvulnerability Using ethnographicmethodsthisstudylookedattheeverydaylivesof Somali‐Americanadolescentboys andyoung meninthe contextof theirfamiliesandcommunities Itfoundopportunitiesforentering violent extremismaswellascapacities fordiminishingthoseopportunitiesBasedonempiricaldataand informedbyrelevant theoryit identifiedthemesandbuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunitiesfor ViolentExtremism (DOVE)whichcanhelp toinformpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilienceto violent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaul
Noonerisk factorexplained involvement inviolentextremism Ratheritwasthe interaction ofmultipleriskfactors atthepeer familycommunityglobalstateand societallevelsThese risk factors combinedtocreateanopportunitystructure forviolent extremismwiththreelevelsofopportunity1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesInvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresence ofallthreewithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwo
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldinvolvestrengtheningprotectiveresources orwhatare calledopportunity‐reducing capacities Furthermorefamilyandyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenprotectiveresourcesateachof thethreelevels ofopportunity Priorities includediminishing1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolent extremismand 3)thepotential forcontactswith terrorist recruitersor associates
Buildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremismshouldbeapproachedthrough community collaboration and capacity buildingInterventionsmay involvegovernmentcommunityandfamilies workingcollaborativelytoimproveeachotherrsquoscapacitiesSharedgoalscouldbe to1)collaborativelystrengthen families2) developcommunitysupportforfamilies andyouthand3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Onewayto determine priorityareasfor prevention mightincludeidentifying protectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotentialforaddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetweengovernmentcommunity andfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhance thesecapacitiesBasedonthe currentstudypromisingpreventive interventions in theSomali‐AmericancommunityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourcethatincludesinformationand trainingaboutrisksandsafeguards forusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2)providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunities for servicein theircommunity andhumanitarian and peaceworkthuscreating alternative waysforyouthtochanneltheirpassion forSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersandcriticalvoicesinthecommunityandonthe web
Additional research isneededincommunities underthreattoshowwhichactsofbuilding resilienceworkwithwhomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOneway todo thiswouldbetocollaboratewiththecommunity todeveloppilot andevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedprevention strategy in Minneapolis‐StPaul basedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunitiestargetedbyviolentextremists inthe UnitedStatesandabroadsoastorefinethemodelandapproachesthatcanreliablyassess communitiesatriskandhelptoinformandprioritizepreventionstrategies
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 2
2) 3) 4)
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
INTRODUCTION
OnMarch62011DennisMcDonoughDeputy NationalSecurityAdvisortoPresidentObamaspokeattheAllDullesAreaMuslimSociety inSterling VirginiaandmadethefollowingstatementldquoWeknowas thePresidentsaidthat thebestdefenseagainstterrorist ideologies isstrongand resilient individualsand communitiesrdquo(McDonough2011) McDonoughwasvoicingwhat theObamaAdministrationhadalready articulatedinits2010NationalSecurityStrategyin whichthewordldquoresiliencerdquoappearedmultipletimes(TheWhiteHouse2010)SeveralEuropeancountrieshavealsoacknowledgedthekeyroleofcivil society incounteringviolent extremismthrough forexampleamelioratingthe underlyingeconomicsocialandpoliticaldriversofviolentradicalization andterrorist recruitment(Archik2011 Briggs2006)
Emphasizingresilience highlightsthepositive attributesofcommunitiesandpersonsthathaveoftenbeenhighly stigmatizedinpublicdiscourses andcouldhelpto opendoorstocommunity‐governmentcollaborationButwhatexactly is resilience Canbuilding itreallypreventviolent extremismAndifsohowcanwedevelopprogramsand policiesto supportcommunities underthreat
TheObama administrationrsquosDecember2011 Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States offeredpreliminaryanswerstothesequestionsForexamplein asectionfocusedontheimportanceofenhancing federalengagementwithandsupportoflocalcommunitiestargetedby violentextremistsonesub‐objective(12)highlightedthe need to1) Fostercommunity‐ledpartnershipsandpreventativeprogramming to buildresilience againstviolent
extremist radicalization byexpandingcommunity‐based solutionsLeverageexistingmodelsofcommunityproblem‐solvingandpublicsafetyEnhanceFederalGovernmentcollaborationwithlocalgovernments andlawenforcementand Providecommunities withinformation andtrainingaccesstoresourcesandgrantsandconnectionswiththephilanthropic andprivate sectors(WhiteHouse2011 p10)
Inorderfortheseeffortstosucceedwhatare alsoneeded are models andinterventions that arewell supportedbytheoryandempirical evidence andthat arefeasibleacceptableandappropriateto communitiesand their membersTo thisendtheauthorsconductedethnographicresearch intheSomali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulinorderto 1) characterizehowsocialexperiences impactinvolvement in violent extremismfordiasporayouthand youngadults2)understandhowresilience mightpreventviolent extremismincommunitiesunder threat and 3)informthedevelopment ofpreventionstrategiesthatincorporatebothsecurityandpsychosocialdimensionsandarebasedontheoryevidenceandcommunitycollaboration
Betweenlate2007 and Autumn2008atleast 17Somali‐American adolescentboysandyoungmenlivingintheMinneapolis‐StPaularea secretlylefttheirhomesand flew to Somaliatojointraining campsrunbytheAlShabaaborganization(Elliot2009 Weine etal2010)TheseactivitiesproducedthefirstUScitizensuicidebomberShirwaAhmedwhoonOctober292008killedatleast30peopleincludingUNaidworkers inHargeisa‐BosasoSomalia(Elliot2009) These adolescentboys andyoung menleft intwowaveswith thesecond wavebeing alittleyoungerandmoreacademicthanthefirstThissecondwaveincludedBurhanHassana 17‐year‐oldA‐studentandsenioratRooseveltHighSchoolaswellasotherhighschoolanduniversitystudentsthusonceagaindispelling theassumptionthat onlyunsuccessfulor mentallyillpersonsbecome involvedin terrorism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 3
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Tounderstandhowsomepersonsgetinvolvedinviolent extremismexpertanalyseshavedevelopedtheoriesof ldquopathwaysrdquo withpush andpullfactorsinfluencingindividualtrajectories(Atran2010Horgan2008a2008bamp2009McCauleyandMoskalenko2008Moghaddam2005Sageman2008)Takingthisperspectivefactors thatmayhavepushedtheseSomali‐American adolescentboysandyoung mentoward violent radicalization werewidespreadand include exposuretowarin theirhomecountryandforced migrationpriortocomingtotheUnitedStates poverty broken familiesduetotherefugee experience (especially theabsenceoffathers)orracialorreligiousdiscriminationFactorsthatmayhavepulledthemtowardviolentradicalization weremorediscrete intimeand spaceand includeexposureto violent extremismon theInternet theEthiopian invasion ofSomaliaandriseofAlShabaab culturally‐inscribedcopingmechanismssuchastheSomaliwarrior tradition oraffiliation withcharismatic malerecruiterswhocouldspeaktoadolescentboys andyoungmenabouttheseissueswithauthoritygiventhelack offathersor powerfulmeninsomeof theirlivesAnemergingdiscourseonhomegrownterrorism hasgonebeyondaldquopathwayrdquoapproachtoconsidermultiplelevelsof risk factorsincludingthoseatthecommunityandfamilylevelsaspartof abroaderldquoecologicalrdquoview(Briggs2006Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Weineetal 2009Weine2011)Thisstudyaddressedtheabovefactorsbutfromanecologicalperspective
Inthisresearchthere wasnopresumptionthatwhatever knowledgewasbuiltregardingSomali‐AmericansinMinneapolis‐StPaulwouldnecessarilyapplytootherSomali‐American communitiesortootherMuslimdiaspora communitiestargeted byviolentextremistsAlthoughIslamis one worldreligiontherearemanydifferentMuslim religiousbeliefs andpracticesandtherearedistinct immigrant and refugeecommunities ofMuslimsin the US(Ramadan2009)That beingsaidtherecouldbeuseful continuities acrosscommunities andgroupsbuttheseareinneedof thoughtfulreflectionutilizingcross‐culturalandsite‐basedapproachesthatcouldhelptoidentify possiblesimilarities anddifferences betweencommunities
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 4
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
BACKGROUND
Thirty years ofwarin Somaliahasledtoanestimated1 millionSomalisbeing forciblydisplacedlargenumbersofwhomwereresettledinEuropeanUnioncountriesAustraliaCanadaandtheUnitedStates(KusowampBjork2007 Horst2006FarahMuchieampGundel2007) Prior researchconducted in these resettlementcountrieshasfocusedonunderstandingand addressing thepsychosocialneeds ofSomalisinthediaspora
Forexampleresearch hasshown thatSomalisin theUKandDenmarkstruggled withissues ofidentityandbelongingand that secondhandnarrativesofidentity fromfamilyandcommunitymembersplayedanimportantroleinovercoming theseissues (Valentine 2009) Sportondescribedhowproblemswithsocialexclusionand discrimination againstSomalisintheUKcouldhavecontributedtosomeyoungSomalisparticipating intheJuly11Londonbombings(2006)In astudycomparingVietnameseIranianandSomaliyouthandfamiliesin theUnitedStatesSomalimothersweretheonlygrouptostateapreference forstilllivingin their homeland(McBrien2011) Post‐resettlement stressors acculturativestress and especiallyperceiveddiscriminationhavebeen found tobeassociatedwithgreaterPTSD(Ellis2008)ExperiencingdiscriminationwascommonandassociatedwithworsementalhealthforSomaliboysintheUnitedStateswhereas participationinAmericanculturewasassociatedwithbettermental health(Ellis2010)
Severalreportshave focusedon theSomalifamilywhichisnot only anuclearbutanextendedfamily Theculturalsayingldquounityispowerrdquo underlies thestrong sense offamilyloyaltyintheSomalicommunityParents tend toconceiveoftheirparenting asbeingldquoguardiansrdquooftheirchildrenandemphasizeprovidingeducationandtraining morethan emotionalsupport(Heitritter 1999)InresettlementcountriesSomalifamilieshave experienceddifficulties associatedwiththeprevalenceofsingle‐parent families isolationfeelingsofdisloyaltymissingfamilymemberschildrenrsquosdisrespectfor generationalboundaries andtheover‐intrusion ofauthoritiesorproviders (Heitritter1999)Atthesame timeseveralprotectivefactorshave beenidentifiedincluding familyattachmentand stabilitystrongsocialskillspro‐socialrelationshipsreligionacademicachievementaccesstocommunityresources(BRCYS2009)and senseof belonging inschool(Ellisetal2007)
WhenSomaliadolescentsseekhelp theytendtofirstapproach friendsfamilyteachersand religiousleaders(so calledldquogatewayprovidersrdquo)buttheyhave astrong tendencytohide theirproblemsbecause theydoldquonot want toburdenparentswiththeirownworriesrdquo(Ellis 2011p804)Somali youthandfamilies seemanybarrierstoseekingcare includingtheir distrustofauthoritythe stigma associatedwithmentalillnessandlinguisticandculturalbarriersInSomaliaasinmanyotherAfricancountriesthereislittleprecedent forparentsbeing highlyinvolvedwithteachersorschoolofficialswhichcansetthemupforchallengesin USresettlement (BRYCS2009)
There arebelievedtobe60000SomalisinMinnesotathelargestpopulationoutsideof EastAfricaManyliveintheCedarRiversideneighborhoodinalow‐incomehousingdevelopmentknownastheTowersMostMinnesotaSomalisarrivedviasecondary migration choosingtomovetoMinnesotaafterlivingforatime intheir initialrefugeeplacementlocalewhichmeansthatthey arenot eligibleforfederaldollarsforhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices(Weineetal2011 WeineLevin HakizimanaDanweigh2011)In 2008amongSomali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐StPaultheunemploymentrate was17themedian income$14367andthepovertylevel42(Kasperetal 2009 City ofMinneapolis2009)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 5
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐AmericanyouthinMinneapolisareoftenreferredtoasldquoGeneration 15 Mostwere borninawar‐torncountryraisedinrefugeecampsinKenya andthensettled inimpoverishedandghettoizedUScommunitieswheretheywatched thewar in SomaliaonYouTube Thoughthey weretooyoungtodirectly experience the warmosthavelostfamilymembersand heardtalkaboutthe warfromothers
Theemergingdiscourse in academiaonSomali‐Americans hastypicallyfocusedontheir vulnerabilities(Weineetal2010)Vulnerabilitiescitedincludepriorexposuretopersonaltraumalivinginpovertybeingraisedinbroken families andorwithsinglemothersexposuretoanexcessofwarimagesand experiencing discrimination A largeepidemiologicalsurveyconductedinMinneapolis‐StPaulin2004foundthat37ofSomaliwomenand25ofSomalimenhadbeentortured andthattorturesurvivorsreported significantly moresymptomsofPTSD andmorephysical andpsychologicalproblems(Jaransonetal2004)Anotherstudyin Minneapolis‐StPaulfoundthatnearly halfofSomalimothers were torturesurvivors morethan a quarterhadnoformaleducationand 70 weresingleparents(Robertsonet al 2006)
Otherresearchconductedin the Somali‐AmericancommunityinMinneapolis‐St Paulhasdescribedunsafe neighborhoods(Hirsi2009a)andproblemswithcivicengagement(Dickson2011) Thelatterreported thatldquothedeepestproblemamongSomalicommunities in Minnesota mightbelsquothehollowing outoftheir civicspiritrsquordquo(Dickinson p114)Nderu(2005) describedapatternofldquoperipheral supportrdquoofSomalichildrenbytheirparents whichincludedfathers notbeing asinvolved asmothersandcalledforbetter effortstobridge theculturalgapbetweenfamiliesand schools Ailitolppa‐Nitamo(2004)reportedonthechallengesfacedbyparents whowereilliterateuneducatedandunemployedwhichledthemtobemoreisolatedfrommainstreamsociety Robillos(2001p18) reportedon theparticularneedsofmaleadolescentswho ldquoespecially expressedthedesireforaplacetosocializeplaysportsorhavefunafterschoolrdquoSomalimothersexpressedconcernabouttheiryouthgettingintoconflictwithothersafterschoolreportingthatldquotaunting andfightsoccurlsquowhentheycomehomeThatrsquoswhentheyteasethemrsquordquo(McBrien2010p82)However these mothersdidnrsquotnecessarilyunderstandEnglishwellenoughtoknowwhattheconflictswereabout
Inadditiontothefamily andcommunityvulnerabilities orrisk factorsdescribedabovestudieshavedescribedthestrengthsoftheSomali‐Americancommunity These includeastrongsense ofcommunity identitytheestablishmentofSomaliSchoolsor dugsisresistance toAmerican racismandsupportfor childrenand their education(Kapteigns and Arman2008)
Finallythis researchbuiltupon priorandongoingresearchwithrefugeeand immigrant familiesfromotherAfricancountrieswhichhasindicatedthe importanceof examining factors suchasthetransnationalfamilyfamilysolidarityparent‐childcommunicationparentalmonitoring andsupervisionparentalschoolinvolvementand racialethnicsocialization(Berns‐McGown2008StevensonampArrington2009Weine2008Weine andSiddiqui2009Weine etal2008Weineetal2009Weine etal2011) Theseareareas inwhichparents often face great difficulties andoftenlacksupportfromthe communityatlargeandfromcommunity‐basedservices Inthat sensethefocus onfamiliesisnecessarily connected withthefocusoncommunitiesbecausefamiliesneedthesupportofcommunitiesinordertobestrongandprotectiveoftheirchildren(Ungar 2008)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 6
Resilience is neither entirely individual nor entirely social but an interactive combination (Luthar and Zigler 1991) Tounderstand resilience it isnecessary tolookbeyondindividualcharacteristics andalsoexamine familycommunitysocietalstateandglobal characteristics
Youth can be resilient to some risks but not to others (Luthar and Zigler 1991)
When youth face risks from socio‐economic and sociocultural adversities their family is often the strongest buffer against the associated risks (Weine and Siddiqui 2009)
For diaspora communities perceptions of the characteristics of resilience are shaped as much by the home country and refugee camp internment as by American values and institutions (Weine et al 2011) Indiasporacommunitieshigher resiliencedoesnrsquotnecessarilymean greater alignment with American societyanditsvalues
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KEY CONCEPTS
Thissection describesthekeyconceptsthatinformedthisstudyonbuildingcommunityresilience to counterviolentextremismThese includeresilienceprotective resourcesopportunitystructuresandpreventiveinterventionsTheseconceptsare brieflydefinedandelaboratedwithsomerelevant research
ResilienceResilienceisatermborrowedfrom engineeringwhere it refers toldquothecapacityofamaterialorsystemtoreturn to equilibriumafter a displacementrdquo (BodinampWiman 2004)Communitypsychologistsuseresilience torefertoa process shapedbyresourcesndashsuchas economicdevelopmentsocialcapitalinformationandcommunicationandcommunitycompetencendashthat mayleadto adaptation aftera disturbanceoradversity(Norris StevensPfefferbaumBWycheampPfefferbaumRL2008)
Thoughresiliencehasbeen increasinglycited byterrorism experts andpolicymakers asan essentialconsiderationwhendevelopingprogramstocounterviolent extremismresearch onresiliencehasnotyetbeensystematicallyappliedto thiscontextOverthe past tenyearstherehasbeenan explosionof interest in resilience in theclinical community andfamilysciencesconcerningabroadrangeof adversities Whatdoesthisemergingknowledgeofresiliencetellusthatispotentiallyrelevantto countering violent extremism
Protective ResourcesProtective resourcesare social and psychosocialfactorsthatcanstopdelayordiminishnegativeoutcomes(Weine etal2011)Protectiveresourcesencompass notonlyresilience(egbouncingback)butalsoresistance(eg preventing)Protectiveresources canreside infamiliescommunitiesandinstitutions Thusfamilyprotectiveresourcesarefamilycapacitiesthatpromotepositive youthpsychosocialwellbeingCommunity protectiveresourcesworkeitherbybuildingfamilyprotective resourcesor byworkingdirectly upontheyouthtopromotepsychosocialwellbeingArangeofdifferentkindsofactorsinacommunitycanprovideprotectiveresourcessuchasteachersclergy coachesandelders
Opportunity StructuresStudiesof migrationhavedescribedthekeyroleofldquoopportunitystructuresrdquoinrelation tosuchoutcomesasinvolvement interrorismandsexualriskamongmigrants(ClarkeampNewman2006Hirschetal
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 7
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
2010)Theoriesofopportunitystructureholdthatldquotheprobabilityofsocialrelationsdependsonopportunitiesforcontactrdquo(Blau199429)Thisconceptfocusesnot justonindividualcharacteristics but onopportunities forbehaviorthat areprovidedbyagivensocialcontextItalsofollowsthatanopportunitystructurersquosinfluence onyouthandyoungadultscan becountered byldquoopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesrdquo whichmayalsobethoughtofasatypeofprotectiveresourcethatcontributes toresilience
Preventive InterventionsPreventive interventionsaimtoenhanceprotectiveresourcesat populationcommunityandfamilylevelssoastostoplessenor delaypossiblenegativeindividualmentalhealthandbehavioral outcomesPreventive interventionsoftenusemultilevelstrategiesthatsimultaneouslyaddressfamilysocialandstructuralissues(Schenschul etal2009 OrsquoConnellet al2009)
Thesekeyconceptsprovided the basisfor the researchquestionsthatwerestartingpoints fortheethnographicstudy
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 8
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
METHOD
Inthepast severaldecadesscholarsworkinginthepsychosocialarenahavebecomemoreinterested inapplyingethnographicmethods1 Ethnographicmethodsincludedatacollectionthroughinterviewswhereparticipantsare encouragedtospeakopenlyandfreelyandthroughparticipantobservationDatacollectionandanalysis areguided byaniterativeprocess wherebyinitialdatacollectionleadstorefinement ofquestionsandnew theoreticalinterpretationsleading tofurther datacollectionandinterpretationandculminating in newempirically‐basedmodels orfindings
Thesemethodsinparticularhave helpedthepublichealthandpsychosocialfieldstobetterunderstandanarrayof important issuessuch aslocalpatternsofdistresstheroleofculturelocalprocessesofchangethe insiderrsquosperspectiveandthecultureofserviceorganizationsForexampleethnographicmethodshavebeen appliedin the realmsofsurvivorsrsquotestimoniesof politicalviolencerefugeementalhealthmentalhealthreforminpost‐conflictcountries andHIVAIDSpreventionandlabormigration(Weine2006Weine AganiCintron2003 Weine etal2008 WeineBahromovMirzoev2008Weine2009Weineunderreview)
Theroleof thisethnographicstudywastogenerate amodelfor preventingviolentextremismthrough buildingcommunityresilience thatwasinformedbylocalvoices andanunderstandingofthe contextinMinneapolis‐StPaulinorderto supportthedevelopmentofpolicyandprograms
Sample and RecruitmentWeinterviewed57personswholivedorworkedinMinneapolis‐StPaulandwhowereeither1)Somali‐Americanyoungadultmales(ages 16to30)(n=18)2)Somali‐Americanparentsoradultfamilymembers(n=19)or3)serviceproviderswhoworkwiththeSomalicommunity(n=20)InthisreportthetermldquoSomali‐Americanrdquois not beingused onlytorefertoUScitizensPotentialsubjectswereinitiallyidentifiedbymembersofourresearch teamwhowere eithermembersoforfamiliarwiththeSomali‐Americancommunityand relevantgroupsandorganizationsPotentialsubjectswerechosenbothbecausetheresearchersthoughtthattheymayhavevaluableperspectivesontheresearchquestionsandtotry torepresentsomediversityofexperience within theSomali‐American communityBeforeparticipating in anyresearch activities participants were askedtogive informedconsent inaccordancewiththeresearchproceduresapprovedbytheUniversity ofIllinoisat ChicagoInstitutionalReviewBoard
InterviewsTheprincipalinvestigatorprovidedtraininginethnographicinterviewingtotheresearchteamwhichincludedrelevantreadingsandhands‐onexperience topractice skillsandtechniquesTrainingfocusedon1)approachestodevelopingsustainingandending relationswithsubjects2)proceduresforthe protection ofhumansubjects3)waysofdealingwithemergenciesandethicalproblemsincluding threats tothesafetyof researchers4)practiceinconducting minimally structuredinterviews(eg asking open‐endedquestionslearninghowandwhento probelearning tolisten)5)anintroductiontoAtlastianalysissoftwareand 6)intensiveintroductionstothetopicsofviolent extremismrefugeeyouthandfamilieslanguageandcultureDuringdatacollectionongoingsupervisionwasprovidedthroughtelephoneand face‐to‐face meetings
1 Thepsychosocialarenaencompasses mentalhealthhealth and socialserviceproviders and organizations who areengagedinunderstandingand helping individualsfamiliesandcommunities withproblems of a psychologicaldimensionthat occurin thecontext of complexsocial situations Thisincludes such issues as mentaland physicalillness violencesubstance abuse HIVAIDS andmigration‐related problems
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 9
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Datacollectionconsistedofone‐timeminimallystructuredinterviewslastingbetweenoneandtwohoursTheinterviewerswere threeSomali‐Americanswholived andworkedin theSomalicommunity inMinneapolis‐StPaulandtwoAmericanpsychiatristsDuringthese interviews participantswere encouraged totalkopenlyabout topicsandissuesthatfitwithintheoverallconcernsoftheresearchAtthebeginningofthe interviewstheresearchersstatedthe overallprojectaimsParticipants were then askedtospeakaboutwhatevertheywished intheorder thattheywishedRecognizingthat different peoplecanspeaktodifferentissuesdependingontheir ageandsituationthe interviewersleft ituptotheparticipantstodeterminehow muchdetailtheywantedtogo intoandgenerallyrespondedwithpromptstoencouragethemtosay more(asculturallySomalistendnottobeveryforthcomingininterviews)Theinterviewershadalistoftopicsforthepersontospeaktoandiftheydidnotspeak tothesetopicstheywere askedaboutthemThesetopicswere1)familyandcommunityprotectiveprocesses withrespecttoviolent extremism 2)communityknowledgeand attitudestowardsviolentextremism 3)theindividualfamilyandcommunityprocessesunderlyingrisks ofviolent extremism 4)thepotentialroleoflackofsocialintegration inviolent extremismand5)communityknowledge attitudesandbehaviorstowards lawenforcementThe majority of interviews weredigitallyrecorded andthentranscribed intoEnglishInthosecasesinwhichthe persondidnotpermitrecordingdetailed fieldnotes were taken bytheinterviewer
Data AnalysisThisstudy utilizedagroundedtheoryapproachtoqualitativedataanalysis(Charmaz2006Patton2002StraussampCorbin 1998)The groundedtheoryapproachis designedfor the developmentoftheorywithin thecontextofintensive fieldresearchwithqualitative data Specifically thisresearchusedan iterative analysisstrategythatcodedpatterns inqualitative data todescribecategories typologiesandprocessesleadingtothecreationofmodelsTheresearchers utilized Atlasticomputersoftwarewhichisdesigned formanaginglarge amountsofqualitativedata and applyinggroundedtheory methods (Muhr2004)Transcriptsofthe interviews translatedintoEnglishwere entered intoAtlasti
Theresearchersalsodecidedtoenterintothe Atlastidatabaseopen sourcematerialsfromthemediaorgovernmentconcerningSomali‐Americans inMinneapolisTheseincludedinformationonSomali‐Americans violent radicalizationandviolentextremismaswellasdirectquotationsfromfamilyandcommunitymembers2
Theanalysisbeganwithareading oftheentiredatasetof interviewtranscripts bytheresearchteammembersTheinitialreading yieldedasetofcategories thatcorrespondedwiththeinitialconceptualframeworkExamplecategorieswereindividualriskfactorsfor violentextremismfamilyriskfactorsforviolent extremismcommunityrisk factors for violent extremismfamilyprotectiveresourcesagainstviolent extremismcommunityprotectiveresourcesagainstviolentextremismandlawenforcementandculturalissuesThecompleteset ofcategoriesthencontributedtodevelopingacodingschemewithatotalof146codesThereadersalsokepttrackofotherdemographiccontextual andexperiential itemsthatwereimportantin understandingSomali‐Americanswhichin addition tobeingcoded were recorded throughwritingmemos Someexamplesincludedtheimpactofpovertycommunityviolence involvementwithInternetthe transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandgenderrolesinSomalifamilies Thesetooinformedthecoding
2 Thesequotationswere labeledand categorizeddifferentlyinthe database so thatwe could determinewhethera particular quotation camefromanintervieweeoranalternatesource
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 10
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
REFERENCES
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
2) 3) 4)
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
INTRODUCTION
OnMarch62011DennisMcDonoughDeputy NationalSecurityAdvisortoPresidentObamaspokeattheAllDullesAreaMuslimSociety inSterling VirginiaandmadethefollowingstatementldquoWeknowas thePresidentsaidthat thebestdefenseagainstterrorist ideologies isstrongand resilient individualsand communitiesrdquo(McDonough2011) McDonoughwasvoicingwhat theObamaAdministrationhadalready articulatedinits2010NationalSecurityStrategyin whichthewordldquoresiliencerdquoappearedmultipletimes(TheWhiteHouse2010)SeveralEuropeancountrieshavealsoacknowledgedthekeyroleofcivil society incounteringviolent extremismthrough forexampleamelioratingthe underlyingeconomicsocialandpoliticaldriversofviolentradicalization andterrorist recruitment(Archik2011 Briggs2006)
Emphasizingresilience highlightsthepositive attributesofcommunitiesandpersonsthathaveoftenbeenhighly stigmatizedinpublicdiscourses andcouldhelpto opendoorstocommunity‐governmentcollaborationButwhatexactly is resilience Canbuilding itreallypreventviolent extremismAndifsohowcanwedevelopprogramsand policiesto supportcommunities underthreat
TheObama administrationrsquosDecember2011 Strategic Implementation Plan for Empowering Local Partners to Prevent Violent Extremism in the United States offeredpreliminaryanswerstothesequestionsForexamplein asectionfocusedontheimportanceofenhancing federalengagementwithandsupportoflocalcommunitiestargetedby violentextremistsonesub‐objective(12)highlightedthe need to1) Fostercommunity‐ledpartnershipsandpreventativeprogramming to buildresilience againstviolent
extremist radicalization byexpandingcommunity‐based solutionsLeverageexistingmodelsofcommunityproblem‐solvingandpublicsafetyEnhanceFederalGovernmentcollaborationwithlocalgovernments andlawenforcementand Providecommunities withinformation andtrainingaccesstoresourcesandgrantsandconnectionswiththephilanthropic andprivate sectors(WhiteHouse2011 p10)
Inorderfortheseeffortstosucceedwhatare alsoneeded are models andinterventions that arewell supportedbytheoryandempirical evidence andthat arefeasibleacceptableandappropriateto communitiesand their membersTo thisendtheauthorsconductedethnographicresearch intheSomali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulinorderto 1) characterizehowsocialexperiences impactinvolvement in violent extremismfordiasporayouthand youngadults2)understandhowresilience mightpreventviolent extremismincommunitiesunder threat and 3)informthedevelopment ofpreventionstrategiesthatincorporatebothsecurityandpsychosocialdimensionsandarebasedontheoryevidenceandcommunitycollaboration
Betweenlate2007 and Autumn2008atleast 17Somali‐American adolescentboysandyoungmenlivingintheMinneapolis‐StPaularea secretlylefttheirhomesand flew to Somaliatojointraining campsrunbytheAlShabaaborganization(Elliot2009 Weine etal2010)TheseactivitiesproducedthefirstUScitizensuicidebomberShirwaAhmedwhoonOctober292008killedatleast30peopleincludingUNaidworkers inHargeisa‐BosasoSomalia(Elliot2009) These adolescentboys andyoung menleft intwowaveswith thesecond wavebeing alittleyoungerandmoreacademicthanthefirstThissecondwaveincludedBurhanHassana 17‐year‐oldA‐studentandsenioratRooseveltHighSchoolaswellasotherhighschoolanduniversitystudentsthusonceagaindispelling theassumptionthat onlyunsuccessfulor mentallyillpersonsbecome involvedin terrorism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 3
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Tounderstandhowsomepersonsgetinvolvedinviolent extremismexpertanalyseshavedevelopedtheoriesof ldquopathwaysrdquo withpush andpullfactorsinfluencingindividualtrajectories(Atran2010Horgan2008a2008bamp2009McCauleyandMoskalenko2008Moghaddam2005Sageman2008)Takingthisperspectivefactors thatmayhavepushedtheseSomali‐American adolescentboysandyoung mentoward violent radicalization werewidespreadand include exposuretowarin theirhomecountryandforced migrationpriortocomingtotheUnitedStates poverty broken familiesduetotherefugee experience (especially theabsenceoffathers)orracialorreligiousdiscriminationFactorsthatmayhavepulledthemtowardviolentradicalization weremorediscrete intimeand spaceand includeexposureto violent extremismon theInternet theEthiopian invasion ofSomaliaandriseofAlShabaab culturally‐inscribedcopingmechanismssuchastheSomaliwarrior tradition oraffiliation withcharismatic malerecruiterswhocouldspeaktoadolescentboys andyoungmenabouttheseissueswithauthoritygiventhelack offathersor powerfulmeninsomeof theirlivesAnemergingdiscourseonhomegrownterrorism hasgonebeyondaldquopathwayrdquoapproachtoconsidermultiplelevelsof risk factorsincludingthoseatthecommunityandfamilylevelsaspartof abroaderldquoecologicalrdquoview(Briggs2006Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Weineetal 2009Weine2011)Thisstudyaddressedtheabovefactorsbutfromanecologicalperspective
Inthisresearchthere wasnopresumptionthatwhatever knowledgewasbuiltregardingSomali‐AmericansinMinneapolis‐StPaulwouldnecessarilyapplytootherSomali‐American communitiesortootherMuslimdiaspora communitiestargeted byviolentextremistsAlthoughIslamis one worldreligiontherearemanydifferentMuslim religiousbeliefs andpracticesandtherearedistinct immigrant and refugeecommunities ofMuslimsin the US(Ramadan2009)That beingsaidtherecouldbeuseful continuities acrosscommunities andgroupsbuttheseareinneedof thoughtfulreflectionutilizingcross‐culturalandsite‐basedapproachesthatcouldhelptoidentify possiblesimilarities anddifferences betweencommunities
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 4
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
BACKGROUND
Thirty years ofwarin Somaliahasledtoanestimated1 millionSomalisbeing forciblydisplacedlargenumbersofwhomwereresettledinEuropeanUnioncountriesAustraliaCanadaandtheUnitedStates(KusowampBjork2007 Horst2006FarahMuchieampGundel2007) Prior researchconducted in these resettlementcountrieshasfocusedonunderstandingand addressing thepsychosocialneeds ofSomalisinthediaspora
Forexampleresearch hasshown thatSomalisin theUKandDenmarkstruggled withissues ofidentityandbelongingand that secondhandnarrativesofidentity fromfamilyandcommunitymembersplayedanimportantroleinovercoming theseissues (Valentine 2009) Sportondescribedhowproblemswithsocialexclusionand discrimination againstSomalisintheUKcouldhavecontributedtosomeyoungSomalisparticipating intheJuly11Londonbombings(2006)In astudycomparingVietnameseIranianandSomaliyouthandfamiliesin theUnitedStatesSomalimothersweretheonlygrouptostateapreference forstilllivingin their homeland(McBrien2011) Post‐resettlement stressors acculturativestress and especiallyperceiveddiscriminationhavebeen found tobeassociatedwithgreaterPTSD(Ellis2008)ExperiencingdiscriminationwascommonandassociatedwithworsementalhealthforSomaliboysintheUnitedStateswhereas participationinAmericanculturewasassociatedwithbettermental health(Ellis2010)
Severalreportshave focusedon theSomalifamilywhichisnot only anuclearbutanextendedfamily Theculturalsayingldquounityispowerrdquo underlies thestrong sense offamilyloyaltyintheSomalicommunityParents tend toconceiveoftheirparenting asbeingldquoguardiansrdquooftheirchildrenandemphasizeprovidingeducationandtraining morethan emotionalsupport(Heitritter 1999)InresettlementcountriesSomalifamilieshave experienceddifficulties associatedwiththeprevalenceofsingle‐parent families isolationfeelingsofdisloyaltymissingfamilymemberschildrenrsquosdisrespectfor generationalboundaries andtheover‐intrusion ofauthoritiesorproviders (Heitritter1999)Atthesame timeseveralprotectivefactorshave beenidentifiedincluding familyattachmentand stabilitystrongsocialskillspro‐socialrelationshipsreligionacademicachievementaccesstocommunityresources(BRCYS2009)and senseof belonging inschool(Ellisetal2007)
WhenSomaliadolescentsseekhelp theytendtofirstapproach friendsfamilyteachersand religiousleaders(so calledldquogatewayprovidersrdquo)buttheyhave astrong tendencytohide theirproblemsbecause theydoldquonot want toburdenparentswiththeirownworriesrdquo(Ellis 2011p804)Somali youthandfamilies seemanybarrierstoseekingcare includingtheir distrustofauthoritythe stigma associatedwithmentalillnessandlinguisticandculturalbarriersInSomaliaasinmanyotherAfricancountriesthereislittleprecedent forparentsbeing highlyinvolvedwithteachersorschoolofficialswhichcansetthemupforchallengesin USresettlement (BRYCS2009)
There arebelievedtobe60000SomalisinMinnesotathelargestpopulationoutsideof EastAfricaManyliveintheCedarRiversideneighborhoodinalow‐incomehousingdevelopmentknownastheTowersMostMinnesotaSomalisarrivedviasecondary migration choosingtomovetoMinnesotaafterlivingforatime intheir initialrefugeeplacementlocalewhichmeansthatthey arenot eligibleforfederaldollarsforhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices(Weineetal2011 WeineLevin HakizimanaDanweigh2011)In 2008amongSomali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐StPaultheunemploymentrate was17themedian income$14367andthepovertylevel42(Kasperetal 2009 City ofMinneapolis2009)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 5
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐AmericanyouthinMinneapolisareoftenreferredtoasldquoGeneration 15 Mostwere borninawar‐torncountryraisedinrefugeecampsinKenya andthensettled inimpoverishedandghettoizedUScommunitieswheretheywatched thewar in SomaliaonYouTube Thoughthey weretooyoungtodirectly experience the warmosthavelostfamilymembersand heardtalkaboutthe warfromothers
Theemergingdiscourse in academiaonSomali‐Americans hastypicallyfocusedontheir vulnerabilities(Weineetal2010)Vulnerabilitiescitedincludepriorexposuretopersonaltraumalivinginpovertybeingraisedinbroken families andorwithsinglemothersexposuretoanexcessofwarimagesand experiencing discrimination A largeepidemiologicalsurveyconductedinMinneapolis‐StPaulin2004foundthat37ofSomaliwomenand25ofSomalimenhadbeentortured andthattorturesurvivorsreported significantly moresymptomsofPTSD andmorephysical andpsychologicalproblems(Jaransonetal2004)Anotherstudyin Minneapolis‐StPaulfoundthatnearly halfofSomalimothers were torturesurvivors morethan a quarterhadnoformaleducationand 70 weresingleparents(Robertsonet al 2006)
Otherresearchconductedin the Somali‐AmericancommunityinMinneapolis‐St Paulhasdescribedunsafe neighborhoods(Hirsi2009a)andproblemswithcivicengagement(Dickson2011) Thelatterreported thatldquothedeepestproblemamongSomalicommunities in Minnesota mightbelsquothehollowing outoftheir civicspiritrsquordquo(Dickinson p114)Nderu(2005) describedapatternofldquoperipheral supportrdquoofSomalichildrenbytheirparents whichincludedfathers notbeing asinvolved asmothersandcalledforbetter effortstobridge theculturalgapbetweenfamiliesand schools Ailitolppa‐Nitamo(2004)reportedonthechallengesfacedbyparents whowereilliterateuneducatedandunemployedwhichledthemtobemoreisolatedfrommainstreamsociety Robillos(2001p18) reportedon theparticularneedsofmaleadolescentswho ldquoespecially expressedthedesireforaplacetosocializeplaysportsorhavefunafterschoolrdquoSomalimothersexpressedconcernabouttheiryouthgettingintoconflictwithothersafterschoolreportingthatldquotaunting andfightsoccurlsquowhentheycomehomeThatrsquoswhentheyteasethemrsquordquo(McBrien2010p82)However these mothersdidnrsquotnecessarilyunderstandEnglishwellenoughtoknowwhattheconflictswereabout
Inadditiontothefamily andcommunityvulnerabilities orrisk factorsdescribedabovestudieshavedescribedthestrengthsoftheSomali‐Americancommunity These includeastrongsense ofcommunity identitytheestablishmentofSomaliSchoolsor dugsisresistance toAmerican racismandsupportfor childrenand their education(Kapteigns and Arman2008)
Finallythis researchbuiltupon priorandongoingresearchwithrefugeeand immigrant familiesfromotherAfricancountrieswhichhasindicatedthe importanceof examining factors suchasthetransnationalfamilyfamilysolidarityparent‐childcommunicationparentalmonitoring andsupervisionparentalschoolinvolvementand racialethnicsocialization(Berns‐McGown2008StevensonampArrington2009Weine2008Weine andSiddiqui2009Weine etal2008Weineetal2009Weine etal2011) Theseareareas inwhichparents often face great difficulties andoftenlacksupportfromthe communityatlargeandfromcommunity‐basedservices Inthat sensethefocus onfamiliesisnecessarily connected withthefocusoncommunitiesbecausefamiliesneedthesupportofcommunitiesinordertobestrongandprotectiveoftheirchildren(Ungar 2008)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 6
Resilience is neither entirely individual nor entirely social but an interactive combination (Luthar and Zigler 1991) Tounderstand resilience it isnecessary tolookbeyondindividualcharacteristics andalsoexamine familycommunitysocietalstateandglobal characteristics
Youth can be resilient to some risks but not to others (Luthar and Zigler 1991)
When youth face risks from socio‐economic and sociocultural adversities their family is often the strongest buffer against the associated risks (Weine and Siddiqui 2009)
For diaspora communities perceptions of the characteristics of resilience are shaped as much by the home country and refugee camp internment as by American values and institutions (Weine et al 2011) Indiasporacommunitieshigher resiliencedoesnrsquotnecessarilymean greater alignment with American societyanditsvalues
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KEY CONCEPTS
Thissection describesthekeyconceptsthatinformedthisstudyonbuildingcommunityresilience to counterviolentextremismThese includeresilienceprotective resourcesopportunitystructuresandpreventiveinterventionsTheseconceptsare brieflydefinedandelaboratedwithsomerelevant research
ResilienceResilienceisatermborrowedfrom engineeringwhere it refers toldquothecapacityofamaterialorsystemtoreturn to equilibriumafter a displacementrdquo (BodinampWiman 2004)Communitypsychologistsuseresilience torefertoa process shapedbyresourcesndashsuchas economicdevelopmentsocialcapitalinformationandcommunicationandcommunitycompetencendashthat mayleadto adaptation aftera disturbanceoradversity(Norris StevensPfefferbaumBWycheampPfefferbaumRL2008)
Thoughresiliencehasbeen increasinglycited byterrorism experts andpolicymakers asan essentialconsiderationwhendevelopingprogramstocounterviolent extremismresearch onresiliencehasnotyetbeensystematicallyappliedto thiscontextOverthe past tenyearstherehasbeenan explosionof interest in resilience in theclinical community andfamilysciencesconcerningabroadrangeof adversities Whatdoesthisemergingknowledgeofresiliencetellusthatispotentiallyrelevantto countering violent extremism
Protective ResourcesProtective resourcesare social and psychosocialfactorsthatcanstopdelayordiminishnegativeoutcomes(Weine etal2011)Protectiveresourcesencompass notonlyresilience(egbouncingback)butalsoresistance(eg preventing)Protectiveresources canreside infamiliescommunitiesandinstitutions Thusfamilyprotectiveresourcesarefamilycapacitiesthatpromotepositive youthpsychosocialwellbeingCommunity protectiveresourcesworkeitherbybuildingfamilyprotective resourcesor byworkingdirectly upontheyouthtopromotepsychosocialwellbeingArangeofdifferentkindsofactorsinacommunitycanprovideprotectiveresourcessuchasteachersclergy coachesandelders
Opportunity StructuresStudiesof migrationhavedescribedthekeyroleofldquoopportunitystructuresrdquoinrelation tosuchoutcomesasinvolvement interrorismandsexualriskamongmigrants(ClarkeampNewman2006Hirschetal
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 7
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
2010)Theoriesofopportunitystructureholdthatldquotheprobabilityofsocialrelationsdependsonopportunitiesforcontactrdquo(Blau199429)Thisconceptfocusesnot justonindividualcharacteristics but onopportunities forbehaviorthat areprovidedbyagivensocialcontextItalsofollowsthatanopportunitystructurersquosinfluence onyouthandyoungadultscan becountered byldquoopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesrdquo whichmayalsobethoughtofasatypeofprotectiveresourcethatcontributes toresilience
Preventive InterventionsPreventive interventionsaimtoenhanceprotectiveresourcesat populationcommunityandfamilylevelssoastostoplessenor delaypossiblenegativeindividualmentalhealthandbehavioral outcomesPreventive interventionsoftenusemultilevelstrategiesthatsimultaneouslyaddressfamilysocialandstructuralissues(Schenschul etal2009 OrsquoConnellet al2009)
Thesekeyconceptsprovided the basisfor the researchquestionsthatwerestartingpoints fortheethnographicstudy
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 8
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
METHOD
Inthepast severaldecadesscholarsworkinginthepsychosocialarenahavebecomemoreinterested inapplyingethnographicmethods1 Ethnographicmethodsincludedatacollectionthroughinterviewswhereparticipantsare encouragedtospeakopenlyandfreelyandthroughparticipantobservationDatacollectionandanalysis areguided byaniterativeprocess wherebyinitialdatacollectionleadstorefinement ofquestionsandnew theoreticalinterpretationsleading tofurther datacollectionandinterpretationandculminating in newempirically‐basedmodels orfindings
Thesemethodsinparticularhave helpedthepublichealthandpsychosocialfieldstobetterunderstandanarrayof important issuessuch aslocalpatternsofdistresstheroleofculturelocalprocessesofchangethe insiderrsquosperspectiveandthecultureofserviceorganizationsForexampleethnographicmethodshavebeen appliedin the realmsofsurvivorsrsquotestimoniesof politicalviolencerefugeementalhealthmentalhealthreforminpost‐conflictcountries andHIVAIDSpreventionandlabormigration(Weine2006Weine AganiCintron2003 Weine etal2008 WeineBahromovMirzoev2008Weine2009Weineunderreview)
Theroleof thisethnographicstudywastogenerate amodelfor preventingviolentextremismthrough buildingcommunityresilience thatwasinformedbylocalvoices andanunderstandingofthe contextinMinneapolis‐StPaulinorderto supportthedevelopmentofpolicyandprograms
Sample and RecruitmentWeinterviewed57personswholivedorworkedinMinneapolis‐StPaulandwhowereeither1)Somali‐Americanyoungadultmales(ages 16to30)(n=18)2)Somali‐Americanparentsoradultfamilymembers(n=19)or3)serviceproviderswhoworkwiththeSomalicommunity(n=20)InthisreportthetermldquoSomali‐Americanrdquois not beingused onlytorefertoUScitizensPotentialsubjectswereinitiallyidentifiedbymembersofourresearch teamwhowere eithermembersoforfamiliarwiththeSomali‐Americancommunityand relevantgroupsandorganizationsPotentialsubjectswerechosenbothbecausetheresearchersthoughtthattheymayhavevaluableperspectivesontheresearchquestionsandtotry torepresentsomediversityofexperience within theSomali‐American communityBeforeparticipating in anyresearch activities participants were askedtogive informedconsent inaccordancewiththeresearchproceduresapprovedbytheUniversity ofIllinoisat ChicagoInstitutionalReviewBoard
InterviewsTheprincipalinvestigatorprovidedtraininginethnographicinterviewingtotheresearchteamwhichincludedrelevantreadingsandhands‐onexperience topractice skillsandtechniquesTrainingfocusedon1)approachestodevelopingsustainingandending relationswithsubjects2)proceduresforthe protection ofhumansubjects3)waysofdealingwithemergenciesandethicalproblemsincluding threats tothesafetyof researchers4)practiceinconducting minimally structuredinterviews(eg asking open‐endedquestionslearninghowandwhento probelearning tolisten)5)anintroductiontoAtlastianalysissoftwareand 6)intensiveintroductionstothetopicsofviolent extremismrefugeeyouthandfamilieslanguageandcultureDuringdatacollectionongoingsupervisionwasprovidedthroughtelephoneand face‐to‐face meetings
1 Thepsychosocialarenaencompasses mentalhealthhealth and socialserviceproviders and organizations who areengagedinunderstandingand helping individualsfamiliesandcommunities withproblems of a psychologicaldimensionthat occurin thecontext of complexsocial situations Thisincludes such issues as mentaland physicalillness violencesubstance abuse HIVAIDS andmigration‐related problems
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 9
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Datacollectionconsistedofone‐timeminimallystructuredinterviewslastingbetweenoneandtwohoursTheinterviewerswere threeSomali‐Americanswholived andworkedin theSomalicommunity inMinneapolis‐StPaulandtwoAmericanpsychiatristsDuringthese interviews participantswere encouraged totalkopenlyabout topicsandissuesthatfitwithintheoverallconcernsoftheresearchAtthebeginningofthe interviewstheresearchersstatedthe overallprojectaimsParticipants were then askedtospeakaboutwhatevertheywished intheorder thattheywishedRecognizingthat different peoplecanspeaktodifferentissuesdependingontheir ageandsituationthe interviewersleft ituptotheparticipantstodeterminehow muchdetailtheywantedtogo intoandgenerallyrespondedwithpromptstoencouragethemtosay more(asculturallySomalistendnottobeveryforthcomingininterviews)Theinterviewershadalistoftopicsforthepersontospeaktoandiftheydidnotspeak tothesetopicstheywere askedaboutthemThesetopicswere1)familyandcommunityprotectiveprocesses withrespecttoviolent extremism 2)communityknowledgeand attitudestowardsviolentextremism 3)theindividualfamilyandcommunityprocessesunderlyingrisks ofviolent extremism 4)thepotentialroleoflackofsocialintegration inviolent extremismand5)communityknowledge attitudesandbehaviorstowards lawenforcementThe majority of interviews weredigitallyrecorded andthentranscribed intoEnglishInthosecasesinwhichthe persondidnotpermitrecordingdetailed fieldnotes were taken bytheinterviewer
Data AnalysisThisstudy utilizedagroundedtheoryapproachtoqualitativedataanalysis(Charmaz2006Patton2002StraussampCorbin 1998)The groundedtheoryapproachis designedfor the developmentoftheorywithin thecontextofintensive fieldresearchwithqualitative data Specifically thisresearchusedan iterative analysisstrategythatcodedpatterns inqualitative data todescribecategories typologiesandprocessesleadingtothecreationofmodelsTheresearchers utilized Atlasticomputersoftwarewhichisdesigned formanaginglarge amountsofqualitativedata and applyinggroundedtheory methods (Muhr2004)Transcriptsofthe interviews translatedintoEnglishwere entered intoAtlasti
Theresearchersalsodecidedtoenterintothe Atlastidatabaseopen sourcematerialsfromthemediaorgovernmentconcerningSomali‐Americans inMinneapolisTheseincludedinformationonSomali‐Americans violent radicalizationandviolentextremismaswellasdirectquotationsfromfamilyandcommunitymembers2
Theanalysisbeganwithareading oftheentiredatasetof interviewtranscripts bytheresearchteammembersTheinitialreading yieldedasetofcategories thatcorrespondedwiththeinitialconceptualframeworkExamplecategorieswereindividualriskfactorsfor violentextremismfamilyriskfactorsforviolent extremismcommunityrisk factors for violent extremismfamilyprotectiveresourcesagainstviolent extremismcommunityprotectiveresourcesagainstviolentextremismandlawenforcementandculturalissuesThecompleteset ofcategoriesthencontributedtodevelopingacodingschemewithatotalof146codesThereadersalsokepttrackofotherdemographiccontextual andexperiential itemsthatwereimportantin understandingSomali‐Americanswhichin addition tobeingcoded were recorded throughwritingmemos Someexamplesincludedtheimpactofpovertycommunityviolence involvementwithInternetthe transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandgenderrolesinSomalifamilies Thesetooinformedthecoding
2 Thesequotationswere labeledand categorizeddifferentlyinthe database so thatwe could determinewhethera particular quotation camefromanintervieweeoranalternatesource
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 10
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
REFERENCES
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Tounderstandhowsomepersonsgetinvolvedinviolent extremismexpertanalyseshavedevelopedtheoriesof ldquopathwaysrdquo withpush andpullfactorsinfluencingindividualtrajectories(Atran2010Horgan2008a2008bamp2009McCauleyandMoskalenko2008Moghaddam2005Sageman2008)Takingthisperspectivefactors thatmayhavepushedtheseSomali‐American adolescentboysandyoung mentoward violent radicalization werewidespreadand include exposuretowarin theirhomecountryandforced migrationpriortocomingtotheUnitedStates poverty broken familiesduetotherefugee experience (especially theabsenceoffathers)orracialorreligiousdiscriminationFactorsthatmayhavepulledthemtowardviolentradicalization weremorediscrete intimeand spaceand includeexposureto violent extremismon theInternet theEthiopian invasion ofSomaliaandriseofAlShabaab culturally‐inscribedcopingmechanismssuchastheSomaliwarrior tradition oraffiliation withcharismatic malerecruiterswhocouldspeaktoadolescentboys andyoungmenabouttheseissueswithauthoritygiventhelack offathersor powerfulmeninsomeof theirlivesAnemergingdiscourseonhomegrownterrorism hasgonebeyondaldquopathwayrdquoapproachtoconsidermultiplelevelsof risk factorsincludingthoseatthecommunityandfamilylevelsaspartof abroaderldquoecologicalrdquoview(Briggs2006Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Weineetal 2009Weine2011)Thisstudyaddressedtheabovefactorsbutfromanecologicalperspective
Inthisresearchthere wasnopresumptionthatwhatever knowledgewasbuiltregardingSomali‐AmericansinMinneapolis‐StPaulwouldnecessarilyapplytootherSomali‐American communitiesortootherMuslimdiaspora communitiestargeted byviolentextremistsAlthoughIslamis one worldreligiontherearemanydifferentMuslim religiousbeliefs andpracticesandtherearedistinct immigrant and refugeecommunities ofMuslimsin the US(Ramadan2009)That beingsaidtherecouldbeuseful continuities acrosscommunities andgroupsbuttheseareinneedof thoughtfulreflectionutilizingcross‐culturalandsite‐basedapproachesthatcouldhelptoidentify possiblesimilarities anddifferences betweencommunities
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 4
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
BACKGROUND
Thirty years ofwarin Somaliahasledtoanestimated1 millionSomalisbeing forciblydisplacedlargenumbersofwhomwereresettledinEuropeanUnioncountriesAustraliaCanadaandtheUnitedStates(KusowampBjork2007 Horst2006FarahMuchieampGundel2007) Prior researchconducted in these resettlementcountrieshasfocusedonunderstandingand addressing thepsychosocialneeds ofSomalisinthediaspora
Forexampleresearch hasshown thatSomalisin theUKandDenmarkstruggled withissues ofidentityandbelongingand that secondhandnarrativesofidentity fromfamilyandcommunitymembersplayedanimportantroleinovercoming theseissues (Valentine 2009) Sportondescribedhowproblemswithsocialexclusionand discrimination againstSomalisintheUKcouldhavecontributedtosomeyoungSomalisparticipating intheJuly11Londonbombings(2006)In astudycomparingVietnameseIranianandSomaliyouthandfamiliesin theUnitedStatesSomalimothersweretheonlygrouptostateapreference forstilllivingin their homeland(McBrien2011) Post‐resettlement stressors acculturativestress and especiallyperceiveddiscriminationhavebeen found tobeassociatedwithgreaterPTSD(Ellis2008)ExperiencingdiscriminationwascommonandassociatedwithworsementalhealthforSomaliboysintheUnitedStateswhereas participationinAmericanculturewasassociatedwithbettermental health(Ellis2010)
Severalreportshave focusedon theSomalifamilywhichisnot only anuclearbutanextendedfamily Theculturalsayingldquounityispowerrdquo underlies thestrong sense offamilyloyaltyintheSomalicommunityParents tend toconceiveoftheirparenting asbeingldquoguardiansrdquooftheirchildrenandemphasizeprovidingeducationandtraining morethan emotionalsupport(Heitritter 1999)InresettlementcountriesSomalifamilieshave experienceddifficulties associatedwiththeprevalenceofsingle‐parent families isolationfeelingsofdisloyaltymissingfamilymemberschildrenrsquosdisrespectfor generationalboundaries andtheover‐intrusion ofauthoritiesorproviders (Heitritter1999)Atthesame timeseveralprotectivefactorshave beenidentifiedincluding familyattachmentand stabilitystrongsocialskillspro‐socialrelationshipsreligionacademicachievementaccesstocommunityresources(BRCYS2009)and senseof belonging inschool(Ellisetal2007)
WhenSomaliadolescentsseekhelp theytendtofirstapproach friendsfamilyteachersand religiousleaders(so calledldquogatewayprovidersrdquo)buttheyhave astrong tendencytohide theirproblemsbecause theydoldquonot want toburdenparentswiththeirownworriesrdquo(Ellis 2011p804)Somali youthandfamilies seemanybarrierstoseekingcare includingtheir distrustofauthoritythe stigma associatedwithmentalillnessandlinguisticandculturalbarriersInSomaliaasinmanyotherAfricancountriesthereislittleprecedent forparentsbeing highlyinvolvedwithteachersorschoolofficialswhichcansetthemupforchallengesin USresettlement (BRYCS2009)
There arebelievedtobe60000SomalisinMinnesotathelargestpopulationoutsideof EastAfricaManyliveintheCedarRiversideneighborhoodinalow‐incomehousingdevelopmentknownastheTowersMostMinnesotaSomalisarrivedviasecondary migration choosingtomovetoMinnesotaafterlivingforatime intheir initialrefugeeplacementlocalewhichmeansthatthey arenot eligibleforfederaldollarsforhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices(Weineetal2011 WeineLevin HakizimanaDanweigh2011)In 2008amongSomali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐StPaultheunemploymentrate was17themedian income$14367andthepovertylevel42(Kasperetal 2009 City ofMinneapolis2009)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 5
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐AmericanyouthinMinneapolisareoftenreferredtoasldquoGeneration 15 Mostwere borninawar‐torncountryraisedinrefugeecampsinKenya andthensettled inimpoverishedandghettoizedUScommunitieswheretheywatched thewar in SomaliaonYouTube Thoughthey weretooyoungtodirectly experience the warmosthavelostfamilymembersand heardtalkaboutthe warfromothers
Theemergingdiscourse in academiaonSomali‐Americans hastypicallyfocusedontheir vulnerabilities(Weineetal2010)Vulnerabilitiescitedincludepriorexposuretopersonaltraumalivinginpovertybeingraisedinbroken families andorwithsinglemothersexposuretoanexcessofwarimagesand experiencing discrimination A largeepidemiologicalsurveyconductedinMinneapolis‐StPaulin2004foundthat37ofSomaliwomenand25ofSomalimenhadbeentortured andthattorturesurvivorsreported significantly moresymptomsofPTSD andmorephysical andpsychologicalproblems(Jaransonetal2004)Anotherstudyin Minneapolis‐StPaulfoundthatnearly halfofSomalimothers were torturesurvivors morethan a quarterhadnoformaleducationand 70 weresingleparents(Robertsonet al 2006)
Otherresearchconductedin the Somali‐AmericancommunityinMinneapolis‐St Paulhasdescribedunsafe neighborhoods(Hirsi2009a)andproblemswithcivicengagement(Dickson2011) Thelatterreported thatldquothedeepestproblemamongSomalicommunities in Minnesota mightbelsquothehollowing outoftheir civicspiritrsquordquo(Dickinson p114)Nderu(2005) describedapatternofldquoperipheral supportrdquoofSomalichildrenbytheirparents whichincludedfathers notbeing asinvolved asmothersandcalledforbetter effortstobridge theculturalgapbetweenfamiliesand schools Ailitolppa‐Nitamo(2004)reportedonthechallengesfacedbyparents whowereilliterateuneducatedandunemployedwhichledthemtobemoreisolatedfrommainstreamsociety Robillos(2001p18) reportedon theparticularneedsofmaleadolescentswho ldquoespecially expressedthedesireforaplacetosocializeplaysportsorhavefunafterschoolrdquoSomalimothersexpressedconcernabouttheiryouthgettingintoconflictwithothersafterschoolreportingthatldquotaunting andfightsoccurlsquowhentheycomehomeThatrsquoswhentheyteasethemrsquordquo(McBrien2010p82)However these mothersdidnrsquotnecessarilyunderstandEnglishwellenoughtoknowwhattheconflictswereabout
Inadditiontothefamily andcommunityvulnerabilities orrisk factorsdescribedabovestudieshavedescribedthestrengthsoftheSomali‐Americancommunity These includeastrongsense ofcommunity identitytheestablishmentofSomaliSchoolsor dugsisresistance toAmerican racismandsupportfor childrenand their education(Kapteigns and Arman2008)
Finallythis researchbuiltupon priorandongoingresearchwithrefugeeand immigrant familiesfromotherAfricancountrieswhichhasindicatedthe importanceof examining factors suchasthetransnationalfamilyfamilysolidarityparent‐childcommunicationparentalmonitoring andsupervisionparentalschoolinvolvementand racialethnicsocialization(Berns‐McGown2008StevensonampArrington2009Weine2008Weine andSiddiqui2009Weine etal2008Weineetal2009Weine etal2011) Theseareareas inwhichparents often face great difficulties andoftenlacksupportfromthe communityatlargeandfromcommunity‐basedservices Inthat sensethefocus onfamiliesisnecessarily connected withthefocusoncommunitiesbecausefamiliesneedthesupportofcommunitiesinordertobestrongandprotectiveoftheirchildren(Ungar 2008)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 6
Resilience is neither entirely individual nor entirely social but an interactive combination (Luthar and Zigler 1991) Tounderstand resilience it isnecessary tolookbeyondindividualcharacteristics andalsoexamine familycommunitysocietalstateandglobal characteristics
Youth can be resilient to some risks but not to others (Luthar and Zigler 1991)
When youth face risks from socio‐economic and sociocultural adversities their family is often the strongest buffer against the associated risks (Weine and Siddiqui 2009)
For diaspora communities perceptions of the characteristics of resilience are shaped as much by the home country and refugee camp internment as by American values and institutions (Weine et al 2011) Indiasporacommunitieshigher resiliencedoesnrsquotnecessarilymean greater alignment with American societyanditsvalues
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KEY CONCEPTS
Thissection describesthekeyconceptsthatinformedthisstudyonbuildingcommunityresilience to counterviolentextremismThese includeresilienceprotective resourcesopportunitystructuresandpreventiveinterventionsTheseconceptsare brieflydefinedandelaboratedwithsomerelevant research
ResilienceResilienceisatermborrowedfrom engineeringwhere it refers toldquothecapacityofamaterialorsystemtoreturn to equilibriumafter a displacementrdquo (BodinampWiman 2004)Communitypsychologistsuseresilience torefertoa process shapedbyresourcesndashsuchas economicdevelopmentsocialcapitalinformationandcommunicationandcommunitycompetencendashthat mayleadto adaptation aftera disturbanceoradversity(Norris StevensPfefferbaumBWycheampPfefferbaumRL2008)
Thoughresiliencehasbeen increasinglycited byterrorism experts andpolicymakers asan essentialconsiderationwhendevelopingprogramstocounterviolent extremismresearch onresiliencehasnotyetbeensystematicallyappliedto thiscontextOverthe past tenyearstherehasbeenan explosionof interest in resilience in theclinical community andfamilysciencesconcerningabroadrangeof adversities Whatdoesthisemergingknowledgeofresiliencetellusthatispotentiallyrelevantto countering violent extremism
Protective ResourcesProtective resourcesare social and psychosocialfactorsthatcanstopdelayordiminishnegativeoutcomes(Weine etal2011)Protectiveresourcesencompass notonlyresilience(egbouncingback)butalsoresistance(eg preventing)Protectiveresources canreside infamiliescommunitiesandinstitutions Thusfamilyprotectiveresourcesarefamilycapacitiesthatpromotepositive youthpsychosocialwellbeingCommunity protectiveresourcesworkeitherbybuildingfamilyprotective resourcesor byworkingdirectly upontheyouthtopromotepsychosocialwellbeingArangeofdifferentkindsofactorsinacommunitycanprovideprotectiveresourcessuchasteachersclergy coachesandelders
Opportunity StructuresStudiesof migrationhavedescribedthekeyroleofldquoopportunitystructuresrdquoinrelation tosuchoutcomesasinvolvement interrorismandsexualriskamongmigrants(ClarkeampNewman2006Hirschetal
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 7
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
2010)Theoriesofopportunitystructureholdthatldquotheprobabilityofsocialrelationsdependsonopportunitiesforcontactrdquo(Blau199429)Thisconceptfocusesnot justonindividualcharacteristics but onopportunities forbehaviorthat areprovidedbyagivensocialcontextItalsofollowsthatanopportunitystructurersquosinfluence onyouthandyoungadultscan becountered byldquoopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesrdquo whichmayalsobethoughtofasatypeofprotectiveresourcethatcontributes toresilience
Preventive InterventionsPreventive interventionsaimtoenhanceprotectiveresourcesat populationcommunityandfamilylevelssoastostoplessenor delaypossiblenegativeindividualmentalhealthandbehavioral outcomesPreventive interventionsoftenusemultilevelstrategiesthatsimultaneouslyaddressfamilysocialandstructuralissues(Schenschul etal2009 OrsquoConnellet al2009)
Thesekeyconceptsprovided the basisfor the researchquestionsthatwerestartingpoints fortheethnographicstudy
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 8
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
METHOD
Inthepast severaldecadesscholarsworkinginthepsychosocialarenahavebecomemoreinterested inapplyingethnographicmethods1 Ethnographicmethodsincludedatacollectionthroughinterviewswhereparticipantsare encouragedtospeakopenlyandfreelyandthroughparticipantobservationDatacollectionandanalysis areguided byaniterativeprocess wherebyinitialdatacollectionleadstorefinement ofquestionsandnew theoreticalinterpretationsleading tofurther datacollectionandinterpretationandculminating in newempirically‐basedmodels orfindings
Thesemethodsinparticularhave helpedthepublichealthandpsychosocialfieldstobetterunderstandanarrayof important issuessuch aslocalpatternsofdistresstheroleofculturelocalprocessesofchangethe insiderrsquosperspectiveandthecultureofserviceorganizationsForexampleethnographicmethodshavebeen appliedin the realmsofsurvivorsrsquotestimoniesof politicalviolencerefugeementalhealthmentalhealthreforminpost‐conflictcountries andHIVAIDSpreventionandlabormigration(Weine2006Weine AganiCintron2003 Weine etal2008 WeineBahromovMirzoev2008Weine2009Weineunderreview)
Theroleof thisethnographicstudywastogenerate amodelfor preventingviolentextremismthrough buildingcommunityresilience thatwasinformedbylocalvoices andanunderstandingofthe contextinMinneapolis‐StPaulinorderto supportthedevelopmentofpolicyandprograms
Sample and RecruitmentWeinterviewed57personswholivedorworkedinMinneapolis‐StPaulandwhowereeither1)Somali‐Americanyoungadultmales(ages 16to30)(n=18)2)Somali‐Americanparentsoradultfamilymembers(n=19)or3)serviceproviderswhoworkwiththeSomalicommunity(n=20)InthisreportthetermldquoSomali‐Americanrdquois not beingused onlytorefertoUScitizensPotentialsubjectswereinitiallyidentifiedbymembersofourresearch teamwhowere eithermembersoforfamiliarwiththeSomali‐Americancommunityand relevantgroupsandorganizationsPotentialsubjectswerechosenbothbecausetheresearchersthoughtthattheymayhavevaluableperspectivesontheresearchquestionsandtotry torepresentsomediversityofexperience within theSomali‐American communityBeforeparticipating in anyresearch activities participants were askedtogive informedconsent inaccordancewiththeresearchproceduresapprovedbytheUniversity ofIllinoisat ChicagoInstitutionalReviewBoard
InterviewsTheprincipalinvestigatorprovidedtraininginethnographicinterviewingtotheresearchteamwhichincludedrelevantreadingsandhands‐onexperience topractice skillsandtechniquesTrainingfocusedon1)approachestodevelopingsustainingandending relationswithsubjects2)proceduresforthe protection ofhumansubjects3)waysofdealingwithemergenciesandethicalproblemsincluding threats tothesafetyof researchers4)practiceinconducting minimally structuredinterviews(eg asking open‐endedquestionslearninghowandwhento probelearning tolisten)5)anintroductiontoAtlastianalysissoftwareand 6)intensiveintroductionstothetopicsofviolent extremismrefugeeyouthandfamilieslanguageandcultureDuringdatacollectionongoingsupervisionwasprovidedthroughtelephoneand face‐to‐face meetings
1 Thepsychosocialarenaencompasses mentalhealthhealth and socialserviceproviders and organizations who areengagedinunderstandingand helping individualsfamiliesandcommunities withproblems of a psychologicaldimensionthat occurin thecontext of complexsocial situations Thisincludes such issues as mentaland physicalillness violencesubstance abuse HIVAIDS andmigration‐related problems
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 9
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Datacollectionconsistedofone‐timeminimallystructuredinterviewslastingbetweenoneandtwohoursTheinterviewerswere threeSomali‐Americanswholived andworkedin theSomalicommunity inMinneapolis‐StPaulandtwoAmericanpsychiatristsDuringthese interviews participantswere encouraged totalkopenlyabout topicsandissuesthatfitwithintheoverallconcernsoftheresearchAtthebeginningofthe interviewstheresearchersstatedthe overallprojectaimsParticipants were then askedtospeakaboutwhatevertheywished intheorder thattheywishedRecognizingthat different peoplecanspeaktodifferentissuesdependingontheir ageandsituationthe interviewersleft ituptotheparticipantstodeterminehow muchdetailtheywantedtogo intoandgenerallyrespondedwithpromptstoencouragethemtosay more(asculturallySomalistendnottobeveryforthcomingininterviews)Theinterviewershadalistoftopicsforthepersontospeaktoandiftheydidnotspeak tothesetopicstheywere askedaboutthemThesetopicswere1)familyandcommunityprotectiveprocesses withrespecttoviolent extremism 2)communityknowledgeand attitudestowardsviolentextremism 3)theindividualfamilyandcommunityprocessesunderlyingrisks ofviolent extremism 4)thepotentialroleoflackofsocialintegration inviolent extremismand5)communityknowledge attitudesandbehaviorstowards lawenforcementThe majority of interviews weredigitallyrecorded andthentranscribed intoEnglishInthosecasesinwhichthe persondidnotpermitrecordingdetailed fieldnotes were taken bytheinterviewer
Data AnalysisThisstudy utilizedagroundedtheoryapproachtoqualitativedataanalysis(Charmaz2006Patton2002StraussampCorbin 1998)The groundedtheoryapproachis designedfor the developmentoftheorywithin thecontextofintensive fieldresearchwithqualitative data Specifically thisresearchusedan iterative analysisstrategythatcodedpatterns inqualitative data todescribecategories typologiesandprocessesleadingtothecreationofmodelsTheresearchers utilized Atlasticomputersoftwarewhichisdesigned formanaginglarge amountsofqualitativedata and applyinggroundedtheory methods (Muhr2004)Transcriptsofthe interviews translatedintoEnglishwere entered intoAtlasti
Theresearchersalsodecidedtoenterintothe Atlastidatabaseopen sourcematerialsfromthemediaorgovernmentconcerningSomali‐Americans inMinneapolisTheseincludedinformationonSomali‐Americans violent radicalizationandviolentextremismaswellasdirectquotationsfromfamilyandcommunitymembers2
Theanalysisbeganwithareading oftheentiredatasetof interviewtranscripts bytheresearchteammembersTheinitialreading yieldedasetofcategories thatcorrespondedwiththeinitialconceptualframeworkExamplecategorieswereindividualriskfactorsfor violentextremismfamilyriskfactorsforviolent extremismcommunityrisk factors for violent extremismfamilyprotectiveresourcesagainstviolent extremismcommunityprotectiveresourcesagainstviolentextremismandlawenforcementandculturalissuesThecompleteset ofcategoriesthencontributedtodevelopingacodingschemewithatotalof146codesThereadersalsokepttrackofotherdemographiccontextual andexperiential itemsthatwereimportantin understandingSomali‐Americanswhichin addition tobeingcoded were recorded throughwritingmemos Someexamplesincludedtheimpactofpovertycommunityviolence involvementwithInternetthe transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandgenderrolesinSomalifamilies Thesetooinformedthecoding
2 Thesequotationswere labeledand categorizeddifferentlyinthe database so thatwe could determinewhethera particular quotation camefromanintervieweeoranalternatesource
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 10
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
REFERENCES
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
BACKGROUND
Thirty years ofwarin Somaliahasledtoanestimated1 millionSomalisbeing forciblydisplacedlargenumbersofwhomwereresettledinEuropeanUnioncountriesAustraliaCanadaandtheUnitedStates(KusowampBjork2007 Horst2006FarahMuchieampGundel2007) Prior researchconducted in these resettlementcountrieshasfocusedonunderstandingand addressing thepsychosocialneeds ofSomalisinthediaspora
Forexampleresearch hasshown thatSomalisin theUKandDenmarkstruggled withissues ofidentityandbelongingand that secondhandnarrativesofidentity fromfamilyandcommunitymembersplayedanimportantroleinovercoming theseissues (Valentine 2009) Sportondescribedhowproblemswithsocialexclusionand discrimination againstSomalisintheUKcouldhavecontributedtosomeyoungSomalisparticipating intheJuly11Londonbombings(2006)In astudycomparingVietnameseIranianandSomaliyouthandfamiliesin theUnitedStatesSomalimothersweretheonlygrouptostateapreference forstilllivingin their homeland(McBrien2011) Post‐resettlement stressors acculturativestress and especiallyperceiveddiscriminationhavebeen found tobeassociatedwithgreaterPTSD(Ellis2008)ExperiencingdiscriminationwascommonandassociatedwithworsementalhealthforSomaliboysintheUnitedStateswhereas participationinAmericanculturewasassociatedwithbettermental health(Ellis2010)
Severalreportshave focusedon theSomalifamilywhichisnot only anuclearbutanextendedfamily Theculturalsayingldquounityispowerrdquo underlies thestrong sense offamilyloyaltyintheSomalicommunityParents tend toconceiveoftheirparenting asbeingldquoguardiansrdquooftheirchildrenandemphasizeprovidingeducationandtraining morethan emotionalsupport(Heitritter 1999)InresettlementcountriesSomalifamilieshave experienceddifficulties associatedwiththeprevalenceofsingle‐parent families isolationfeelingsofdisloyaltymissingfamilymemberschildrenrsquosdisrespectfor generationalboundaries andtheover‐intrusion ofauthoritiesorproviders (Heitritter1999)Atthesame timeseveralprotectivefactorshave beenidentifiedincluding familyattachmentand stabilitystrongsocialskillspro‐socialrelationshipsreligionacademicachievementaccesstocommunityresources(BRCYS2009)and senseof belonging inschool(Ellisetal2007)
WhenSomaliadolescentsseekhelp theytendtofirstapproach friendsfamilyteachersand religiousleaders(so calledldquogatewayprovidersrdquo)buttheyhave astrong tendencytohide theirproblemsbecause theydoldquonot want toburdenparentswiththeirownworriesrdquo(Ellis 2011p804)Somali youthandfamilies seemanybarrierstoseekingcare includingtheir distrustofauthoritythe stigma associatedwithmentalillnessandlinguisticandculturalbarriersInSomaliaasinmanyotherAfricancountriesthereislittleprecedent forparentsbeing highlyinvolvedwithteachersorschoolofficialswhichcansetthemupforchallengesin USresettlement (BRYCS2009)
There arebelievedtobe60000SomalisinMinnesotathelargestpopulationoutsideof EastAfricaManyliveintheCedarRiversideneighborhoodinalow‐incomehousingdevelopmentknownastheTowersMostMinnesotaSomalisarrivedviasecondary migration choosingtomovetoMinnesotaafterlivingforatime intheir initialrefugeeplacementlocalewhichmeansthatthey arenot eligibleforfederaldollarsforhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices(Weineetal2011 WeineLevin HakizimanaDanweigh2011)In 2008amongSomali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐StPaultheunemploymentrate was17themedian income$14367andthepovertylevel42(Kasperetal 2009 City ofMinneapolis2009)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 5
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐AmericanyouthinMinneapolisareoftenreferredtoasldquoGeneration 15 Mostwere borninawar‐torncountryraisedinrefugeecampsinKenya andthensettled inimpoverishedandghettoizedUScommunitieswheretheywatched thewar in SomaliaonYouTube Thoughthey weretooyoungtodirectly experience the warmosthavelostfamilymembersand heardtalkaboutthe warfromothers
Theemergingdiscourse in academiaonSomali‐Americans hastypicallyfocusedontheir vulnerabilities(Weineetal2010)Vulnerabilitiescitedincludepriorexposuretopersonaltraumalivinginpovertybeingraisedinbroken families andorwithsinglemothersexposuretoanexcessofwarimagesand experiencing discrimination A largeepidemiologicalsurveyconductedinMinneapolis‐StPaulin2004foundthat37ofSomaliwomenand25ofSomalimenhadbeentortured andthattorturesurvivorsreported significantly moresymptomsofPTSD andmorephysical andpsychologicalproblems(Jaransonetal2004)Anotherstudyin Minneapolis‐StPaulfoundthatnearly halfofSomalimothers were torturesurvivors morethan a quarterhadnoformaleducationand 70 weresingleparents(Robertsonet al 2006)
Otherresearchconductedin the Somali‐AmericancommunityinMinneapolis‐St Paulhasdescribedunsafe neighborhoods(Hirsi2009a)andproblemswithcivicengagement(Dickson2011) Thelatterreported thatldquothedeepestproblemamongSomalicommunities in Minnesota mightbelsquothehollowing outoftheir civicspiritrsquordquo(Dickinson p114)Nderu(2005) describedapatternofldquoperipheral supportrdquoofSomalichildrenbytheirparents whichincludedfathers notbeing asinvolved asmothersandcalledforbetter effortstobridge theculturalgapbetweenfamiliesand schools Ailitolppa‐Nitamo(2004)reportedonthechallengesfacedbyparents whowereilliterateuneducatedandunemployedwhichledthemtobemoreisolatedfrommainstreamsociety Robillos(2001p18) reportedon theparticularneedsofmaleadolescentswho ldquoespecially expressedthedesireforaplacetosocializeplaysportsorhavefunafterschoolrdquoSomalimothersexpressedconcernabouttheiryouthgettingintoconflictwithothersafterschoolreportingthatldquotaunting andfightsoccurlsquowhentheycomehomeThatrsquoswhentheyteasethemrsquordquo(McBrien2010p82)However these mothersdidnrsquotnecessarilyunderstandEnglishwellenoughtoknowwhattheconflictswereabout
Inadditiontothefamily andcommunityvulnerabilities orrisk factorsdescribedabovestudieshavedescribedthestrengthsoftheSomali‐Americancommunity These includeastrongsense ofcommunity identitytheestablishmentofSomaliSchoolsor dugsisresistance toAmerican racismandsupportfor childrenand their education(Kapteigns and Arman2008)
Finallythis researchbuiltupon priorandongoingresearchwithrefugeeand immigrant familiesfromotherAfricancountrieswhichhasindicatedthe importanceof examining factors suchasthetransnationalfamilyfamilysolidarityparent‐childcommunicationparentalmonitoring andsupervisionparentalschoolinvolvementand racialethnicsocialization(Berns‐McGown2008StevensonampArrington2009Weine2008Weine andSiddiqui2009Weine etal2008Weineetal2009Weine etal2011) Theseareareas inwhichparents often face great difficulties andoftenlacksupportfromthe communityatlargeandfromcommunity‐basedservices Inthat sensethefocus onfamiliesisnecessarily connected withthefocusoncommunitiesbecausefamiliesneedthesupportofcommunitiesinordertobestrongandprotectiveoftheirchildren(Ungar 2008)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 6
Resilience is neither entirely individual nor entirely social but an interactive combination (Luthar and Zigler 1991) Tounderstand resilience it isnecessary tolookbeyondindividualcharacteristics andalsoexamine familycommunitysocietalstateandglobal characteristics
Youth can be resilient to some risks but not to others (Luthar and Zigler 1991)
When youth face risks from socio‐economic and sociocultural adversities their family is often the strongest buffer against the associated risks (Weine and Siddiqui 2009)
For diaspora communities perceptions of the characteristics of resilience are shaped as much by the home country and refugee camp internment as by American values and institutions (Weine et al 2011) Indiasporacommunitieshigher resiliencedoesnrsquotnecessarilymean greater alignment with American societyanditsvalues
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KEY CONCEPTS
Thissection describesthekeyconceptsthatinformedthisstudyonbuildingcommunityresilience to counterviolentextremismThese includeresilienceprotective resourcesopportunitystructuresandpreventiveinterventionsTheseconceptsare brieflydefinedandelaboratedwithsomerelevant research
ResilienceResilienceisatermborrowedfrom engineeringwhere it refers toldquothecapacityofamaterialorsystemtoreturn to equilibriumafter a displacementrdquo (BodinampWiman 2004)Communitypsychologistsuseresilience torefertoa process shapedbyresourcesndashsuchas economicdevelopmentsocialcapitalinformationandcommunicationandcommunitycompetencendashthat mayleadto adaptation aftera disturbanceoradversity(Norris StevensPfefferbaumBWycheampPfefferbaumRL2008)
Thoughresiliencehasbeen increasinglycited byterrorism experts andpolicymakers asan essentialconsiderationwhendevelopingprogramstocounterviolent extremismresearch onresiliencehasnotyetbeensystematicallyappliedto thiscontextOverthe past tenyearstherehasbeenan explosionof interest in resilience in theclinical community andfamilysciencesconcerningabroadrangeof adversities Whatdoesthisemergingknowledgeofresiliencetellusthatispotentiallyrelevantto countering violent extremism
Protective ResourcesProtective resourcesare social and psychosocialfactorsthatcanstopdelayordiminishnegativeoutcomes(Weine etal2011)Protectiveresourcesencompass notonlyresilience(egbouncingback)butalsoresistance(eg preventing)Protectiveresources canreside infamiliescommunitiesandinstitutions Thusfamilyprotectiveresourcesarefamilycapacitiesthatpromotepositive youthpsychosocialwellbeingCommunity protectiveresourcesworkeitherbybuildingfamilyprotective resourcesor byworkingdirectly upontheyouthtopromotepsychosocialwellbeingArangeofdifferentkindsofactorsinacommunitycanprovideprotectiveresourcessuchasteachersclergy coachesandelders
Opportunity StructuresStudiesof migrationhavedescribedthekeyroleofldquoopportunitystructuresrdquoinrelation tosuchoutcomesasinvolvement interrorismandsexualriskamongmigrants(ClarkeampNewman2006Hirschetal
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 7
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
2010)Theoriesofopportunitystructureholdthatldquotheprobabilityofsocialrelationsdependsonopportunitiesforcontactrdquo(Blau199429)Thisconceptfocusesnot justonindividualcharacteristics but onopportunities forbehaviorthat areprovidedbyagivensocialcontextItalsofollowsthatanopportunitystructurersquosinfluence onyouthandyoungadultscan becountered byldquoopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesrdquo whichmayalsobethoughtofasatypeofprotectiveresourcethatcontributes toresilience
Preventive InterventionsPreventive interventionsaimtoenhanceprotectiveresourcesat populationcommunityandfamilylevelssoastostoplessenor delaypossiblenegativeindividualmentalhealthandbehavioral outcomesPreventive interventionsoftenusemultilevelstrategiesthatsimultaneouslyaddressfamilysocialandstructuralissues(Schenschul etal2009 OrsquoConnellet al2009)
Thesekeyconceptsprovided the basisfor the researchquestionsthatwerestartingpoints fortheethnographicstudy
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 8
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
METHOD
Inthepast severaldecadesscholarsworkinginthepsychosocialarenahavebecomemoreinterested inapplyingethnographicmethods1 Ethnographicmethodsincludedatacollectionthroughinterviewswhereparticipantsare encouragedtospeakopenlyandfreelyandthroughparticipantobservationDatacollectionandanalysis areguided byaniterativeprocess wherebyinitialdatacollectionleadstorefinement ofquestionsandnew theoreticalinterpretationsleading tofurther datacollectionandinterpretationandculminating in newempirically‐basedmodels orfindings
Thesemethodsinparticularhave helpedthepublichealthandpsychosocialfieldstobetterunderstandanarrayof important issuessuch aslocalpatternsofdistresstheroleofculturelocalprocessesofchangethe insiderrsquosperspectiveandthecultureofserviceorganizationsForexampleethnographicmethodshavebeen appliedin the realmsofsurvivorsrsquotestimoniesof politicalviolencerefugeementalhealthmentalhealthreforminpost‐conflictcountries andHIVAIDSpreventionandlabormigration(Weine2006Weine AganiCintron2003 Weine etal2008 WeineBahromovMirzoev2008Weine2009Weineunderreview)
Theroleof thisethnographicstudywastogenerate amodelfor preventingviolentextremismthrough buildingcommunityresilience thatwasinformedbylocalvoices andanunderstandingofthe contextinMinneapolis‐StPaulinorderto supportthedevelopmentofpolicyandprograms
Sample and RecruitmentWeinterviewed57personswholivedorworkedinMinneapolis‐StPaulandwhowereeither1)Somali‐Americanyoungadultmales(ages 16to30)(n=18)2)Somali‐Americanparentsoradultfamilymembers(n=19)or3)serviceproviderswhoworkwiththeSomalicommunity(n=20)InthisreportthetermldquoSomali‐Americanrdquois not beingused onlytorefertoUScitizensPotentialsubjectswereinitiallyidentifiedbymembersofourresearch teamwhowere eithermembersoforfamiliarwiththeSomali‐Americancommunityand relevantgroupsandorganizationsPotentialsubjectswerechosenbothbecausetheresearchersthoughtthattheymayhavevaluableperspectivesontheresearchquestionsandtotry torepresentsomediversityofexperience within theSomali‐American communityBeforeparticipating in anyresearch activities participants were askedtogive informedconsent inaccordancewiththeresearchproceduresapprovedbytheUniversity ofIllinoisat ChicagoInstitutionalReviewBoard
InterviewsTheprincipalinvestigatorprovidedtraininginethnographicinterviewingtotheresearchteamwhichincludedrelevantreadingsandhands‐onexperience topractice skillsandtechniquesTrainingfocusedon1)approachestodevelopingsustainingandending relationswithsubjects2)proceduresforthe protection ofhumansubjects3)waysofdealingwithemergenciesandethicalproblemsincluding threats tothesafetyof researchers4)practiceinconducting minimally structuredinterviews(eg asking open‐endedquestionslearninghowandwhento probelearning tolisten)5)anintroductiontoAtlastianalysissoftwareand 6)intensiveintroductionstothetopicsofviolent extremismrefugeeyouthandfamilieslanguageandcultureDuringdatacollectionongoingsupervisionwasprovidedthroughtelephoneand face‐to‐face meetings
1 Thepsychosocialarenaencompasses mentalhealthhealth and socialserviceproviders and organizations who areengagedinunderstandingand helping individualsfamiliesandcommunities withproblems of a psychologicaldimensionthat occurin thecontext of complexsocial situations Thisincludes such issues as mentaland physicalillness violencesubstance abuse HIVAIDS andmigration‐related problems
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 9
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Datacollectionconsistedofone‐timeminimallystructuredinterviewslastingbetweenoneandtwohoursTheinterviewerswere threeSomali‐Americanswholived andworkedin theSomalicommunity inMinneapolis‐StPaulandtwoAmericanpsychiatristsDuringthese interviews participantswere encouraged totalkopenlyabout topicsandissuesthatfitwithintheoverallconcernsoftheresearchAtthebeginningofthe interviewstheresearchersstatedthe overallprojectaimsParticipants were then askedtospeakaboutwhatevertheywished intheorder thattheywishedRecognizingthat different peoplecanspeaktodifferentissuesdependingontheir ageandsituationthe interviewersleft ituptotheparticipantstodeterminehow muchdetailtheywantedtogo intoandgenerallyrespondedwithpromptstoencouragethemtosay more(asculturallySomalistendnottobeveryforthcomingininterviews)Theinterviewershadalistoftopicsforthepersontospeaktoandiftheydidnotspeak tothesetopicstheywere askedaboutthemThesetopicswere1)familyandcommunityprotectiveprocesses withrespecttoviolent extremism 2)communityknowledgeand attitudestowardsviolentextremism 3)theindividualfamilyandcommunityprocessesunderlyingrisks ofviolent extremism 4)thepotentialroleoflackofsocialintegration inviolent extremismand5)communityknowledge attitudesandbehaviorstowards lawenforcementThe majority of interviews weredigitallyrecorded andthentranscribed intoEnglishInthosecasesinwhichthe persondidnotpermitrecordingdetailed fieldnotes were taken bytheinterviewer
Data AnalysisThisstudy utilizedagroundedtheoryapproachtoqualitativedataanalysis(Charmaz2006Patton2002StraussampCorbin 1998)The groundedtheoryapproachis designedfor the developmentoftheorywithin thecontextofintensive fieldresearchwithqualitative data Specifically thisresearchusedan iterative analysisstrategythatcodedpatterns inqualitative data todescribecategories typologiesandprocessesleadingtothecreationofmodelsTheresearchers utilized Atlasticomputersoftwarewhichisdesigned formanaginglarge amountsofqualitativedata and applyinggroundedtheory methods (Muhr2004)Transcriptsofthe interviews translatedintoEnglishwere entered intoAtlasti
Theresearchersalsodecidedtoenterintothe Atlastidatabaseopen sourcematerialsfromthemediaorgovernmentconcerningSomali‐Americans inMinneapolisTheseincludedinformationonSomali‐Americans violent radicalizationandviolentextremismaswellasdirectquotationsfromfamilyandcommunitymembers2
Theanalysisbeganwithareading oftheentiredatasetof interviewtranscripts bytheresearchteammembersTheinitialreading yieldedasetofcategories thatcorrespondedwiththeinitialconceptualframeworkExamplecategorieswereindividualriskfactorsfor violentextremismfamilyriskfactorsforviolent extremismcommunityrisk factors for violent extremismfamilyprotectiveresourcesagainstviolent extremismcommunityprotectiveresourcesagainstviolentextremismandlawenforcementandculturalissuesThecompleteset ofcategoriesthencontributedtodevelopingacodingschemewithatotalof146codesThereadersalsokepttrackofotherdemographiccontextual andexperiential itemsthatwereimportantin understandingSomali‐Americanswhichin addition tobeingcoded were recorded throughwritingmemos Someexamplesincludedtheimpactofpovertycommunityviolence involvementwithInternetthe transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandgenderrolesinSomalifamilies Thesetooinformedthecoding
2 Thesequotationswere labeledand categorizeddifferentlyinthe database so thatwe could determinewhethera particular quotation camefromanintervieweeoranalternatesource
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 10
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
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SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐AmericanyouthinMinneapolisareoftenreferredtoasldquoGeneration 15 Mostwere borninawar‐torncountryraisedinrefugeecampsinKenya andthensettled inimpoverishedandghettoizedUScommunitieswheretheywatched thewar in SomaliaonYouTube Thoughthey weretooyoungtodirectly experience the warmosthavelostfamilymembersand heardtalkaboutthe warfromothers
Theemergingdiscourse in academiaonSomali‐Americans hastypicallyfocusedontheir vulnerabilities(Weineetal2010)Vulnerabilitiescitedincludepriorexposuretopersonaltraumalivinginpovertybeingraisedinbroken families andorwithsinglemothersexposuretoanexcessofwarimagesand experiencing discrimination A largeepidemiologicalsurveyconductedinMinneapolis‐StPaulin2004foundthat37ofSomaliwomenand25ofSomalimenhadbeentortured andthattorturesurvivorsreported significantly moresymptomsofPTSD andmorephysical andpsychologicalproblems(Jaransonetal2004)Anotherstudyin Minneapolis‐StPaulfoundthatnearly halfofSomalimothers were torturesurvivors morethan a quarterhadnoformaleducationand 70 weresingleparents(Robertsonet al 2006)
Otherresearchconductedin the Somali‐AmericancommunityinMinneapolis‐St Paulhasdescribedunsafe neighborhoods(Hirsi2009a)andproblemswithcivicengagement(Dickson2011) Thelatterreported thatldquothedeepestproblemamongSomalicommunities in Minnesota mightbelsquothehollowing outoftheir civicspiritrsquordquo(Dickinson p114)Nderu(2005) describedapatternofldquoperipheral supportrdquoofSomalichildrenbytheirparents whichincludedfathers notbeing asinvolved asmothersandcalledforbetter effortstobridge theculturalgapbetweenfamiliesand schools Ailitolppa‐Nitamo(2004)reportedonthechallengesfacedbyparents whowereilliterateuneducatedandunemployedwhichledthemtobemoreisolatedfrommainstreamsociety Robillos(2001p18) reportedon theparticularneedsofmaleadolescentswho ldquoespecially expressedthedesireforaplacetosocializeplaysportsorhavefunafterschoolrdquoSomalimothersexpressedconcernabouttheiryouthgettingintoconflictwithothersafterschoolreportingthatldquotaunting andfightsoccurlsquowhentheycomehomeThatrsquoswhentheyteasethemrsquordquo(McBrien2010p82)However these mothersdidnrsquotnecessarilyunderstandEnglishwellenoughtoknowwhattheconflictswereabout
Inadditiontothefamily andcommunityvulnerabilities orrisk factorsdescribedabovestudieshavedescribedthestrengthsoftheSomali‐Americancommunity These includeastrongsense ofcommunity identitytheestablishmentofSomaliSchoolsor dugsisresistance toAmerican racismandsupportfor childrenand their education(Kapteigns and Arman2008)
Finallythis researchbuiltupon priorandongoingresearchwithrefugeeand immigrant familiesfromotherAfricancountrieswhichhasindicatedthe importanceof examining factors suchasthetransnationalfamilyfamilysolidarityparent‐childcommunicationparentalmonitoring andsupervisionparentalschoolinvolvementand racialethnicsocialization(Berns‐McGown2008StevensonampArrington2009Weine2008Weine andSiddiqui2009Weine etal2008Weineetal2009Weine etal2011) Theseareareas inwhichparents often face great difficulties andoftenlacksupportfromthe communityatlargeandfromcommunity‐basedservices Inthat sensethefocus onfamiliesisnecessarily connected withthefocusoncommunitiesbecausefamiliesneedthesupportofcommunitiesinordertobestrongandprotectiveoftheirchildren(Ungar 2008)
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 6
Resilience is neither entirely individual nor entirely social but an interactive combination (Luthar and Zigler 1991) Tounderstand resilience it isnecessary tolookbeyondindividualcharacteristics andalsoexamine familycommunitysocietalstateandglobal characteristics
Youth can be resilient to some risks but not to others (Luthar and Zigler 1991)
When youth face risks from socio‐economic and sociocultural adversities their family is often the strongest buffer against the associated risks (Weine and Siddiqui 2009)
For diaspora communities perceptions of the characteristics of resilience are shaped as much by the home country and refugee camp internment as by American values and institutions (Weine et al 2011) Indiasporacommunitieshigher resiliencedoesnrsquotnecessarilymean greater alignment with American societyanditsvalues
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KEY CONCEPTS
Thissection describesthekeyconceptsthatinformedthisstudyonbuildingcommunityresilience to counterviolentextremismThese includeresilienceprotective resourcesopportunitystructuresandpreventiveinterventionsTheseconceptsare brieflydefinedandelaboratedwithsomerelevant research
ResilienceResilienceisatermborrowedfrom engineeringwhere it refers toldquothecapacityofamaterialorsystemtoreturn to equilibriumafter a displacementrdquo (BodinampWiman 2004)Communitypsychologistsuseresilience torefertoa process shapedbyresourcesndashsuchas economicdevelopmentsocialcapitalinformationandcommunicationandcommunitycompetencendashthat mayleadto adaptation aftera disturbanceoradversity(Norris StevensPfefferbaumBWycheampPfefferbaumRL2008)
Thoughresiliencehasbeen increasinglycited byterrorism experts andpolicymakers asan essentialconsiderationwhendevelopingprogramstocounterviolent extremismresearch onresiliencehasnotyetbeensystematicallyappliedto thiscontextOverthe past tenyearstherehasbeenan explosionof interest in resilience in theclinical community andfamilysciencesconcerningabroadrangeof adversities Whatdoesthisemergingknowledgeofresiliencetellusthatispotentiallyrelevantto countering violent extremism
Protective ResourcesProtective resourcesare social and psychosocialfactorsthatcanstopdelayordiminishnegativeoutcomes(Weine etal2011)Protectiveresourcesencompass notonlyresilience(egbouncingback)butalsoresistance(eg preventing)Protectiveresources canreside infamiliescommunitiesandinstitutions Thusfamilyprotectiveresourcesarefamilycapacitiesthatpromotepositive youthpsychosocialwellbeingCommunity protectiveresourcesworkeitherbybuildingfamilyprotective resourcesor byworkingdirectly upontheyouthtopromotepsychosocialwellbeingArangeofdifferentkindsofactorsinacommunitycanprovideprotectiveresourcessuchasteachersclergy coachesandelders
Opportunity StructuresStudiesof migrationhavedescribedthekeyroleofldquoopportunitystructuresrdquoinrelation tosuchoutcomesasinvolvement interrorismandsexualriskamongmigrants(ClarkeampNewman2006Hirschetal
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 7
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
2010)Theoriesofopportunitystructureholdthatldquotheprobabilityofsocialrelationsdependsonopportunitiesforcontactrdquo(Blau199429)Thisconceptfocusesnot justonindividualcharacteristics but onopportunities forbehaviorthat areprovidedbyagivensocialcontextItalsofollowsthatanopportunitystructurersquosinfluence onyouthandyoungadultscan becountered byldquoopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesrdquo whichmayalsobethoughtofasatypeofprotectiveresourcethatcontributes toresilience
Preventive InterventionsPreventive interventionsaimtoenhanceprotectiveresourcesat populationcommunityandfamilylevelssoastostoplessenor delaypossiblenegativeindividualmentalhealthandbehavioral outcomesPreventive interventionsoftenusemultilevelstrategiesthatsimultaneouslyaddressfamilysocialandstructuralissues(Schenschul etal2009 OrsquoConnellet al2009)
Thesekeyconceptsprovided the basisfor the researchquestionsthatwerestartingpoints fortheethnographicstudy
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 8
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
METHOD
Inthepast severaldecadesscholarsworkinginthepsychosocialarenahavebecomemoreinterested inapplyingethnographicmethods1 Ethnographicmethodsincludedatacollectionthroughinterviewswhereparticipantsare encouragedtospeakopenlyandfreelyandthroughparticipantobservationDatacollectionandanalysis areguided byaniterativeprocess wherebyinitialdatacollectionleadstorefinement ofquestionsandnew theoreticalinterpretationsleading tofurther datacollectionandinterpretationandculminating in newempirically‐basedmodels orfindings
Thesemethodsinparticularhave helpedthepublichealthandpsychosocialfieldstobetterunderstandanarrayof important issuessuch aslocalpatternsofdistresstheroleofculturelocalprocessesofchangethe insiderrsquosperspectiveandthecultureofserviceorganizationsForexampleethnographicmethodshavebeen appliedin the realmsofsurvivorsrsquotestimoniesof politicalviolencerefugeementalhealthmentalhealthreforminpost‐conflictcountries andHIVAIDSpreventionandlabormigration(Weine2006Weine AganiCintron2003 Weine etal2008 WeineBahromovMirzoev2008Weine2009Weineunderreview)
Theroleof thisethnographicstudywastogenerate amodelfor preventingviolentextremismthrough buildingcommunityresilience thatwasinformedbylocalvoices andanunderstandingofthe contextinMinneapolis‐StPaulinorderto supportthedevelopmentofpolicyandprograms
Sample and RecruitmentWeinterviewed57personswholivedorworkedinMinneapolis‐StPaulandwhowereeither1)Somali‐Americanyoungadultmales(ages 16to30)(n=18)2)Somali‐Americanparentsoradultfamilymembers(n=19)or3)serviceproviderswhoworkwiththeSomalicommunity(n=20)InthisreportthetermldquoSomali‐Americanrdquois not beingused onlytorefertoUScitizensPotentialsubjectswereinitiallyidentifiedbymembersofourresearch teamwhowere eithermembersoforfamiliarwiththeSomali‐Americancommunityand relevantgroupsandorganizationsPotentialsubjectswerechosenbothbecausetheresearchersthoughtthattheymayhavevaluableperspectivesontheresearchquestionsandtotry torepresentsomediversityofexperience within theSomali‐American communityBeforeparticipating in anyresearch activities participants were askedtogive informedconsent inaccordancewiththeresearchproceduresapprovedbytheUniversity ofIllinoisat ChicagoInstitutionalReviewBoard
InterviewsTheprincipalinvestigatorprovidedtraininginethnographicinterviewingtotheresearchteamwhichincludedrelevantreadingsandhands‐onexperience topractice skillsandtechniquesTrainingfocusedon1)approachestodevelopingsustainingandending relationswithsubjects2)proceduresforthe protection ofhumansubjects3)waysofdealingwithemergenciesandethicalproblemsincluding threats tothesafetyof researchers4)practiceinconducting minimally structuredinterviews(eg asking open‐endedquestionslearninghowandwhento probelearning tolisten)5)anintroductiontoAtlastianalysissoftwareand 6)intensiveintroductionstothetopicsofviolent extremismrefugeeyouthandfamilieslanguageandcultureDuringdatacollectionongoingsupervisionwasprovidedthroughtelephoneand face‐to‐face meetings
1 Thepsychosocialarenaencompasses mentalhealthhealth and socialserviceproviders and organizations who areengagedinunderstandingand helping individualsfamiliesandcommunities withproblems of a psychologicaldimensionthat occurin thecontext of complexsocial situations Thisincludes such issues as mentaland physicalillness violencesubstance abuse HIVAIDS andmigration‐related problems
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 9
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Datacollectionconsistedofone‐timeminimallystructuredinterviewslastingbetweenoneandtwohoursTheinterviewerswere threeSomali‐Americanswholived andworkedin theSomalicommunity inMinneapolis‐StPaulandtwoAmericanpsychiatristsDuringthese interviews participantswere encouraged totalkopenlyabout topicsandissuesthatfitwithintheoverallconcernsoftheresearchAtthebeginningofthe interviewstheresearchersstatedthe overallprojectaimsParticipants were then askedtospeakaboutwhatevertheywished intheorder thattheywishedRecognizingthat different peoplecanspeaktodifferentissuesdependingontheir ageandsituationthe interviewersleft ituptotheparticipantstodeterminehow muchdetailtheywantedtogo intoandgenerallyrespondedwithpromptstoencouragethemtosay more(asculturallySomalistendnottobeveryforthcomingininterviews)Theinterviewershadalistoftopicsforthepersontospeaktoandiftheydidnotspeak tothesetopicstheywere askedaboutthemThesetopicswere1)familyandcommunityprotectiveprocesses withrespecttoviolent extremism 2)communityknowledgeand attitudestowardsviolentextremism 3)theindividualfamilyandcommunityprocessesunderlyingrisks ofviolent extremism 4)thepotentialroleoflackofsocialintegration inviolent extremismand5)communityknowledge attitudesandbehaviorstowards lawenforcementThe majority of interviews weredigitallyrecorded andthentranscribed intoEnglishInthosecasesinwhichthe persondidnotpermitrecordingdetailed fieldnotes were taken bytheinterviewer
Data AnalysisThisstudy utilizedagroundedtheoryapproachtoqualitativedataanalysis(Charmaz2006Patton2002StraussampCorbin 1998)The groundedtheoryapproachis designedfor the developmentoftheorywithin thecontextofintensive fieldresearchwithqualitative data Specifically thisresearchusedan iterative analysisstrategythatcodedpatterns inqualitative data todescribecategories typologiesandprocessesleadingtothecreationofmodelsTheresearchers utilized Atlasticomputersoftwarewhichisdesigned formanaginglarge amountsofqualitativedata and applyinggroundedtheory methods (Muhr2004)Transcriptsofthe interviews translatedintoEnglishwere entered intoAtlasti
Theresearchersalsodecidedtoenterintothe Atlastidatabaseopen sourcematerialsfromthemediaorgovernmentconcerningSomali‐Americans inMinneapolisTheseincludedinformationonSomali‐Americans violent radicalizationandviolentextremismaswellasdirectquotationsfromfamilyandcommunitymembers2
Theanalysisbeganwithareading oftheentiredatasetof interviewtranscripts bytheresearchteammembersTheinitialreading yieldedasetofcategories thatcorrespondedwiththeinitialconceptualframeworkExamplecategorieswereindividualriskfactorsfor violentextremismfamilyriskfactorsforviolent extremismcommunityrisk factors for violent extremismfamilyprotectiveresourcesagainstviolent extremismcommunityprotectiveresourcesagainstviolentextremismandlawenforcementandculturalissuesThecompleteset ofcategoriesthencontributedtodevelopingacodingschemewithatotalof146codesThereadersalsokepttrackofotherdemographiccontextual andexperiential itemsthatwereimportantin understandingSomali‐Americanswhichin addition tobeingcoded were recorded throughwritingmemos Someexamplesincludedtheimpactofpovertycommunityviolence involvementwithInternetthe transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandgenderrolesinSomalifamilies Thesetooinformedthecoding
2 Thesequotationswere labeledand categorizeddifferentlyinthe database so thatwe could determinewhethera particular quotation camefromanintervieweeoranalternatesource
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 10
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
Resilience is neither entirely individual nor entirely social but an interactive combination (Luthar and Zigler 1991) Tounderstand resilience it isnecessary tolookbeyondindividualcharacteristics andalsoexamine familycommunitysocietalstateandglobal characteristics
Youth can be resilient to some risks but not to others (Luthar and Zigler 1991)
When youth face risks from socio‐economic and sociocultural adversities their family is often the strongest buffer against the associated risks (Weine and Siddiqui 2009)
For diaspora communities perceptions of the characteristics of resilience are shaped as much by the home country and refugee camp internment as by American values and institutions (Weine et al 2011) Indiasporacommunitieshigher resiliencedoesnrsquotnecessarilymean greater alignment with American societyanditsvalues
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KEY CONCEPTS
Thissection describesthekeyconceptsthatinformedthisstudyonbuildingcommunityresilience to counterviolentextremismThese includeresilienceprotective resourcesopportunitystructuresandpreventiveinterventionsTheseconceptsare brieflydefinedandelaboratedwithsomerelevant research
ResilienceResilienceisatermborrowedfrom engineeringwhere it refers toldquothecapacityofamaterialorsystemtoreturn to equilibriumafter a displacementrdquo (BodinampWiman 2004)Communitypsychologistsuseresilience torefertoa process shapedbyresourcesndashsuchas economicdevelopmentsocialcapitalinformationandcommunicationandcommunitycompetencendashthat mayleadto adaptation aftera disturbanceoradversity(Norris StevensPfefferbaumBWycheampPfefferbaumRL2008)
Thoughresiliencehasbeen increasinglycited byterrorism experts andpolicymakers asan essentialconsiderationwhendevelopingprogramstocounterviolent extremismresearch onresiliencehasnotyetbeensystematicallyappliedto thiscontextOverthe past tenyearstherehasbeenan explosionof interest in resilience in theclinical community andfamilysciencesconcerningabroadrangeof adversities Whatdoesthisemergingknowledgeofresiliencetellusthatispotentiallyrelevantto countering violent extremism
Protective ResourcesProtective resourcesare social and psychosocialfactorsthatcanstopdelayordiminishnegativeoutcomes(Weine etal2011)Protectiveresourcesencompass notonlyresilience(egbouncingback)butalsoresistance(eg preventing)Protectiveresources canreside infamiliescommunitiesandinstitutions Thusfamilyprotectiveresourcesarefamilycapacitiesthatpromotepositive youthpsychosocialwellbeingCommunity protectiveresourcesworkeitherbybuildingfamilyprotective resourcesor byworkingdirectly upontheyouthtopromotepsychosocialwellbeingArangeofdifferentkindsofactorsinacommunitycanprovideprotectiveresourcessuchasteachersclergy coachesandelders
Opportunity StructuresStudiesof migrationhavedescribedthekeyroleofldquoopportunitystructuresrdquoinrelation tosuchoutcomesasinvolvement interrorismandsexualriskamongmigrants(ClarkeampNewman2006Hirschetal
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 7
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
2010)Theoriesofopportunitystructureholdthatldquotheprobabilityofsocialrelationsdependsonopportunitiesforcontactrdquo(Blau199429)Thisconceptfocusesnot justonindividualcharacteristics but onopportunities forbehaviorthat areprovidedbyagivensocialcontextItalsofollowsthatanopportunitystructurersquosinfluence onyouthandyoungadultscan becountered byldquoopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesrdquo whichmayalsobethoughtofasatypeofprotectiveresourcethatcontributes toresilience
Preventive InterventionsPreventive interventionsaimtoenhanceprotectiveresourcesat populationcommunityandfamilylevelssoastostoplessenor delaypossiblenegativeindividualmentalhealthandbehavioral outcomesPreventive interventionsoftenusemultilevelstrategiesthatsimultaneouslyaddressfamilysocialandstructuralissues(Schenschul etal2009 OrsquoConnellet al2009)
Thesekeyconceptsprovided the basisfor the researchquestionsthatwerestartingpoints fortheethnographicstudy
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 8
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
METHOD
Inthepast severaldecadesscholarsworkinginthepsychosocialarenahavebecomemoreinterested inapplyingethnographicmethods1 Ethnographicmethodsincludedatacollectionthroughinterviewswhereparticipantsare encouragedtospeakopenlyandfreelyandthroughparticipantobservationDatacollectionandanalysis areguided byaniterativeprocess wherebyinitialdatacollectionleadstorefinement ofquestionsandnew theoreticalinterpretationsleading tofurther datacollectionandinterpretationandculminating in newempirically‐basedmodels orfindings
Thesemethodsinparticularhave helpedthepublichealthandpsychosocialfieldstobetterunderstandanarrayof important issuessuch aslocalpatternsofdistresstheroleofculturelocalprocessesofchangethe insiderrsquosperspectiveandthecultureofserviceorganizationsForexampleethnographicmethodshavebeen appliedin the realmsofsurvivorsrsquotestimoniesof politicalviolencerefugeementalhealthmentalhealthreforminpost‐conflictcountries andHIVAIDSpreventionandlabormigration(Weine2006Weine AganiCintron2003 Weine etal2008 WeineBahromovMirzoev2008Weine2009Weineunderreview)
Theroleof thisethnographicstudywastogenerate amodelfor preventingviolentextremismthrough buildingcommunityresilience thatwasinformedbylocalvoices andanunderstandingofthe contextinMinneapolis‐StPaulinorderto supportthedevelopmentofpolicyandprograms
Sample and RecruitmentWeinterviewed57personswholivedorworkedinMinneapolis‐StPaulandwhowereeither1)Somali‐Americanyoungadultmales(ages 16to30)(n=18)2)Somali‐Americanparentsoradultfamilymembers(n=19)or3)serviceproviderswhoworkwiththeSomalicommunity(n=20)InthisreportthetermldquoSomali‐Americanrdquois not beingused onlytorefertoUScitizensPotentialsubjectswereinitiallyidentifiedbymembersofourresearch teamwhowere eithermembersoforfamiliarwiththeSomali‐Americancommunityand relevantgroupsandorganizationsPotentialsubjectswerechosenbothbecausetheresearchersthoughtthattheymayhavevaluableperspectivesontheresearchquestionsandtotry torepresentsomediversityofexperience within theSomali‐American communityBeforeparticipating in anyresearch activities participants were askedtogive informedconsent inaccordancewiththeresearchproceduresapprovedbytheUniversity ofIllinoisat ChicagoInstitutionalReviewBoard
InterviewsTheprincipalinvestigatorprovidedtraininginethnographicinterviewingtotheresearchteamwhichincludedrelevantreadingsandhands‐onexperience topractice skillsandtechniquesTrainingfocusedon1)approachestodevelopingsustainingandending relationswithsubjects2)proceduresforthe protection ofhumansubjects3)waysofdealingwithemergenciesandethicalproblemsincluding threats tothesafetyof researchers4)practiceinconducting minimally structuredinterviews(eg asking open‐endedquestionslearninghowandwhento probelearning tolisten)5)anintroductiontoAtlastianalysissoftwareand 6)intensiveintroductionstothetopicsofviolent extremismrefugeeyouthandfamilieslanguageandcultureDuringdatacollectionongoingsupervisionwasprovidedthroughtelephoneand face‐to‐face meetings
1 Thepsychosocialarenaencompasses mentalhealthhealth and socialserviceproviders and organizations who areengagedinunderstandingand helping individualsfamiliesandcommunities withproblems of a psychologicaldimensionthat occurin thecontext of complexsocial situations Thisincludes such issues as mentaland physicalillness violencesubstance abuse HIVAIDS andmigration‐related problems
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 9
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Datacollectionconsistedofone‐timeminimallystructuredinterviewslastingbetweenoneandtwohoursTheinterviewerswere threeSomali‐Americanswholived andworkedin theSomalicommunity inMinneapolis‐StPaulandtwoAmericanpsychiatristsDuringthese interviews participantswere encouraged totalkopenlyabout topicsandissuesthatfitwithintheoverallconcernsoftheresearchAtthebeginningofthe interviewstheresearchersstatedthe overallprojectaimsParticipants were then askedtospeakaboutwhatevertheywished intheorder thattheywishedRecognizingthat different peoplecanspeaktodifferentissuesdependingontheir ageandsituationthe interviewersleft ituptotheparticipantstodeterminehow muchdetailtheywantedtogo intoandgenerallyrespondedwithpromptstoencouragethemtosay more(asculturallySomalistendnottobeveryforthcomingininterviews)Theinterviewershadalistoftopicsforthepersontospeaktoandiftheydidnotspeak tothesetopicstheywere askedaboutthemThesetopicswere1)familyandcommunityprotectiveprocesses withrespecttoviolent extremism 2)communityknowledgeand attitudestowardsviolentextremism 3)theindividualfamilyandcommunityprocessesunderlyingrisks ofviolent extremism 4)thepotentialroleoflackofsocialintegration inviolent extremismand5)communityknowledge attitudesandbehaviorstowards lawenforcementThe majority of interviews weredigitallyrecorded andthentranscribed intoEnglishInthosecasesinwhichthe persondidnotpermitrecordingdetailed fieldnotes were taken bytheinterviewer
Data AnalysisThisstudy utilizedagroundedtheoryapproachtoqualitativedataanalysis(Charmaz2006Patton2002StraussampCorbin 1998)The groundedtheoryapproachis designedfor the developmentoftheorywithin thecontextofintensive fieldresearchwithqualitative data Specifically thisresearchusedan iterative analysisstrategythatcodedpatterns inqualitative data todescribecategories typologiesandprocessesleadingtothecreationofmodelsTheresearchers utilized Atlasticomputersoftwarewhichisdesigned formanaginglarge amountsofqualitativedata and applyinggroundedtheory methods (Muhr2004)Transcriptsofthe interviews translatedintoEnglishwere entered intoAtlasti
Theresearchersalsodecidedtoenterintothe Atlastidatabaseopen sourcematerialsfromthemediaorgovernmentconcerningSomali‐Americans inMinneapolisTheseincludedinformationonSomali‐Americans violent radicalizationandviolentextremismaswellasdirectquotationsfromfamilyandcommunitymembers2
Theanalysisbeganwithareading oftheentiredatasetof interviewtranscripts bytheresearchteammembersTheinitialreading yieldedasetofcategories thatcorrespondedwiththeinitialconceptualframeworkExamplecategorieswereindividualriskfactorsfor violentextremismfamilyriskfactorsforviolent extremismcommunityrisk factors for violent extremismfamilyprotectiveresourcesagainstviolent extremismcommunityprotectiveresourcesagainstviolentextremismandlawenforcementandculturalissuesThecompleteset ofcategoriesthencontributedtodevelopingacodingschemewithatotalof146codesThereadersalsokepttrackofotherdemographiccontextual andexperiential itemsthatwereimportantin understandingSomali‐Americanswhichin addition tobeingcoded were recorded throughwritingmemos Someexamplesincludedtheimpactofpovertycommunityviolence involvementwithInternetthe transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandgenderrolesinSomalifamilies Thesetooinformedthecoding
2 Thesequotationswere labeledand categorizeddifferentlyinthe database so thatwe could determinewhethera particular quotation camefromanintervieweeoranalternatesource
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 10
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
REFERENCES
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
2010)Theoriesofopportunitystructureholdthatldquotheprobabilityofsocialrelationsdependsonopportunitiesforcontactrdquo(Blau199429)Thisconceptfocusesnot justonindividualcharacteristics but onopportunities forbehaviorthat areprovidedbyagivensocialcontextItalsofollowsthatanopportunitystructurersquosinfluence onyouthandyoungadultscan becountered byldquoopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesrdquo whichmayalsobethoughtofasatypeofprotectiveresourcethatcontributes toresilience
Preventive InterventionsPreventive interventionsaimtoenhanceprotectiveresourcesat populationcommunityandfamilylevelssoastostoplessenor delaypossiblenegativeindividualmentalhealthandbehavioral outcomesPreventive interventionsoftenusemultilevelstrategiesthatsimultaneouslyaddressfamilysocialandstructuralissues(Schenschul etal2009 OrsquoConnellet al2009)
Thesekeyconceptsprovided the basisfor the researchquestionsthatwerestartingpoints fortheethnographicstudy
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 8
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
METHOD
Inthepast severaldecadesscholarsworkinginthepsychosocialarenahavebecomemoreinterested inapplyingethnographicmethods1 Ethnographicmethodsincludedatacollectionthroughinterviewswhereparticipantsare encouragedtospeakopenlyandfreelyandthroughparticipantobservationDatacollectionandanalysis areguided byaniterativeprocess wherebyinitialdatacollectionleadstorefinement ofquestionsandnew theoreticalinterpretationsleading tofurther datacollectionandinterpretationandculminating in newempirically‐basedmodels orfindings
Thesemethodsinparticularhave helpedthepublichealthandpsychosocialfieldstobetterunderstandanarrayof important issuessuch aslocalpatternsofdistresstheroleofculturelocalprocessesofchangethe insiderrsquosperspectiveandthecultureofserviceorganizationsForexampleethnographicmethodshavebeen appliedin the realmsofsurvivorsrsquotestimoniesof politicalviolencerefugeementalhealthmentalhealthreforminpost‐conflictcountries andHIVAIDSpreventionandlabormigration(Weine2006Weine AganiCintron2003 Weine etal2008 WeineBahromovMirzoev2008Weine2009Weineunderreview)
Theroleof thisethnographicstudywastogenerate amodelfor preventingviolentextremismthrough buildingcommunityresilience thatwasinformedbylocalvoices andanunderstandingofthe contextinMinneapolis‐StPaulinorderto supportthedevelopmentofpolicyandprograms
Sample and RecruitmentWeinterviewed57personswholivedorworkedinMinneapolis‐StPaulandwhowereeither1)Somali‐Americanyoungadultmales(ages 16to30)(n=18)2)Somali‐Americanparentsoradultfamilymembers(n=19)or3)serviceproviderswhoworkwiththeSomalicommunity(n=20)InthisreportthetermldquoSomali‐Americanrdquois not beingused onlytorefertoUScitizensPotentialsubjectswereinitiallyidentifiedbymembersofourresearch teamwhowere eithermembersoforfamiliarwiththeSomali‐Americancommunityand relevantgroupsandorganizationsPotentialsubjectswerechosenbothbecausetheresearchersthoughtthattheymayhavevaluableperspectivesontheresearchquestionsandtotry torepresentsomediversityofexperience within theSomali‐American communityBeforeparticipating in anyresearch activities participants were askedtogive informedconsent inaccordancewiththeresearchproceduresapprovedbytheUniversity ofIllinoisat ChicagoInstitutionalReviewBoard
InterviewsTheprincipalinvestigatorprovidedtraininginethnographicinterviewingtotheresearchteamwhichincludedrelevantreadingsandhands‐onexperience topractice skillsandtechniquesTrainingfocusedon1)approachestodevelopingsustainingandending relationswithsubjects2)proceduresforthe protection ofhumansubjects3)waysofdealingwithemergenciesandethicalproblemsincluding threats tothesafetyof researchers4)practiceinconducting minimally structuredinterviews(eg asking open‐endedquestionslearninghowandwhento probelearning tolisten)5)anintroductiontoAtlastianalysissoftwareand 6)intensiveintroductionstothetopicsofviolent extremismrefugeeyouthandfamilieslanguageandcultureDuringdatacollectionongoingsupervisionwasprovidedthroughtelephoneand face‐to‐face meetings
1 Thepsychosocialarenaencompasses mentalhealthhealth and socialserviceproviders and organizations who areengagedinunderstandingand helping individualsfamiliesandcommunities withproblems of a psychologicaldimensionthat occurin thecontext of complexsocial situations Thisincludes such issues as mentaland physicalillness violencesubstance abuse HIVAIDS andmigration‐related problems
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 9
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Datacollectionconsistedofone‐timeminimallystructuredinterviewslastingbetweenoneandtwohoursTheinterviewerswere threeSomali‐Americanswholived andworkedin theSomalicommunity inMinneapolis‐StPaulandtwoAmericanpsychiatristsDuringthese interviews participantswere encouraged totalkopenlyabout topicsandissuesthatfitwithintheoverallconcernsoftheresearchAtthebeginningofthe interviewstheresearchersstatedthe overallprojectaimsParticipants were then askedtospeakaboutwhatevertheywished intheorder thattheywishedRecognizingthat different peoplecanspeaktodifferentissuesdependingontheir ageandsituationthe interviewersleft ituptotheparticipantstodeterminehow muchdetailtheywantedtogo intoandgenerallyrespondedwithpromptstoencouragethemtosay more(asculturallySomalistendnottobeveryforthcomingininterviews)Theinterviewershadalistoftopicsforthepersontospeaktoandiftheydidnotspeak tothesetopicstheywere askedaboutthemThesetopicswere1)familyandcommunityprotectiveprocesses withrespecttoviolent extremism 2)communityknowledgeand attitudestowardsviolentextremism 3)theindividualfamilyandcommunityprocessesunderlyingrisks ofviolent extremism 4)thepotentialroleoflackofsocialintegration inviolent extremismand5)communityknowledge attitudesandbehaviorstowards lawenforcementThe majority of interviews weredigitallyrecorded andthentranscribed intoEnglishInthosecasesinwhichthe persondidnotpermitrecordingdetailed fieldnotes were taken bytheinterviewer
Data AnalysisThisstudy utilizedagroundedtheoryapproachtoqualitativedataanalysis(Charmaz2006Patton2002StraussampCorbin 1998)The groundedtheoryapproachis designedfor the developmentoftheorywithin thecontextofintensive fieldresearchwithqualitative data Specifically thisresearchusedan iterative analysisstrategythatcodedpatterns inqualitative data todescribecategories typologiesandprocessesleadingtothecreationofmodelsTheresearchers utilized Atlasticomputersoftwarewhichisdesigned formanaginglarge amountsofqualitativedata and applyinggroundedtheory methods (Muhr2004)Transcriptsofthe interviews translatedintoEnglishwere entered intoAtlasti
Theresearchersalsodecidedtoenterintothe Atlastidatabaseopen sourcematerialsfromthemediaorgovernmentconcerningSomali‐Americans inMinneapolisTheseincludedinformationonSomali‐Americans violent radicalizationandviolentextremismaswellasdirectquotationsfromfamilyandcommunitymembers2
Theanalysisbeganwithareading oftheentiredatasetof interviewtranscripts bytheresearchteammembersTheinitialreading yieldedasetofcategories thatcorrespondedwiththeinitialconceptualframeworkExamplecategorieswereindividualriskfactorsfor violentextremismfamilyriskfactorsforviolent extremismcommunityrisk factors for violent extremismfamilyprotectiveresourcesagainstviolent extremismcommunityprotectiveresourcesagainstviolentextremismandlawenforcementandculturalissuesThecompleteset ofcategoriesthencontributedtodevelopingacodingschemewithatotalof146codesThereadersalsokepttrackofotherdemographiccontextual andexperiential itemsthatwereimportantin understandingSomali‐Americanswhichin addition tobeingcoded were recorded throughwritingmemos Someexamplesincludedtheimpactofpovertycommunityviolence involvementwithInternetthe transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandgenderrolesinSomalifamilies Thesetooinformedthecoding
2 Thesequotationswere labeledand categorizeddifferentlyinthe database so thatwe could determinewhethera particular quotation camefromanintervieweeoranalternatesource
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 10
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
METHOD
Inthepast severaldecadesscholarsworkinginthepsychosocialarenahavebecomemoreinterested inapplyingethnographicmethods1 Ethnographicmethodsincludedatacollectionthroughinterviewswhereparticipantsare encouragedtospeakopenlyandfreelyandthroughparticipantobservationDatacollectionandanalysis areguided byaniterativeprocess wherebyinitialdatacollectionleadstorefinement ofquestionsandnew theoreticalinterpretationsleading tofurther datacollectionandinterpretationandculminating in newempirically‐basedmodels orfindings
Thesemethodsinparticularhave helpedthepublichealthandpsychosocialfieldstobetterunderstandanarrayof important issuessuch aslocalpatternsofdistresstheroleofculturelocalprocessesofchangethe insiderrsquosperspectiveandthecultureofserviceorganizationsForexampleethnographicmethodshavebeen appliedin the realmsofsurvivorsrsquotestimoniesof politicalviolencerefugeementalhealthmentalhealthreforminpost‐conflictcountries andHIVAIDSpreventionandlabormigration(Weine2006Weine AganiCintron2003 Weine etal2008 WeineBahromovMirzoev2008Weine2009Weineunderreview)
Theroleof thisethnographicstudywastogenerate amodelfor preventingviolentextremismthrough buildingcommunityresilience thatwasinformedbylocalvoices andanunderstandingofthe contextinMinneapolis‐StPaulinorderto supportthedevelopmentofpolicyandprograms
Sample and RecruitmentWeinterviewed57personswholivedorworkedinMinneapolis‐StPaulandwhowereeither1)Somali‐Americanyoungadultmales(ages 16to30)(n=18)2)Somali‐Americanparentsoradultfamilymembers(n=19)or3)serviceproviderswhoworkwiththeSomalicommunity(n=20)InthisreportthetermldquoSomali‐Americanrdquois not beingused onlytorefertoUScitizensPotentialsubjectswereinitiallyidentifiedbymembersofourresearch teamwhowere eithermembersoforfamiliarwiththeSomali‐Americancommunityand relevantgroupsandorganizationsPotentialsubjectswerechosenbothbecausetheresearchersthoughtthattheymayhavevaluableperspectivesontheresearchquestionsandtotry torepresentsomediversityofexperience within theSomali‐American communityBeforeparticipating in anyresearch activities participants were askedtogive informedconsent inaccordancewiththeresearchproceduresapprovedbytheUniversity ofIllinoisat ChicagoInstitutionalReviewBoard
InterviewsTheprincipalinvestigatorprovidedtraininginethnographicinterviewingtotheresearchteamwhichincludedrelevantreadingsandhands‐onexperience topractice skillsandtechniquesTrainingfocusedon1)approachestodevelopingsustainingandending relationswithsubjects2)proceduresforthe protection ofhumansubjects3)waysofdealingwithemergenciesandethicalproblemsincluding threats tothesafetyof researchers4)practiceinconducting minimally structuredinterviews(eg asking open‐endedquestionslearninghowandwhento probelearning tolisten)5)anintroductiontoAtlastianalysissoftwareand 6)intensiveintroductionstothetopicsofviolent extremismrefugeeyouthandfamilieslanguageandcultureDuringdatacollectionongoingsupervisionwasprovidedthroughtelephoneand face‐to‐face meetings
1 Thepsychosocialarenaencompasses mentalhealthhealth and socialserviceproviders and organizations who areengagedinunderstandingand helping individualsfamiliesandcommunities withproblems of a psychologicaldimensionthat occurin thecontext of complexsocial situations Thisincludes such issues as mentaland physicalillness violencesubstance abuse HIVAIDS andmigration‐related problems
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 9
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Datacollectionconsistedofone‐timeminimallystructuredinterviewslastingbetweenoneandtwohoursTheinterviewerswere threeSomali‐Americanswholived andworkedin theSomalicommunity inMinneapolis‐StPaulandtwoAmericanpsychiatristsDuringthese interviews participantswere encouraged totalkopenlyabout topicsandissuesthatfitwithintheoverallconcernsoftheresearchAtthebeginningofthe interviewstheresearchersstatedthe overallprojectaimsParticipants were then askedtospeakaboutwhatevertheywished intheorder thattheywishedRecognizingthat different peoplecanspeaktodifferentissuesdependingontheir ageandsituationthe interviewersleft ituptotheparticipantstodeterminehow muchdetailtheywantedtogo intoandgenerallyrespondedwithpromptstoencouragethemtosay more(asculturallySomalistendnottobeveryforthcomingininterviews)Theinterviewershadalistoftopicsforthepersontospeaktoandiftheydidnotspeak tothesetopicstheywere askedaboutthemThesetopicswere1)familyandcommunityprotectiveprocesses withrespecttoviolent extremism 2)communityknowledgeand attitudestowardsviolentextremism 3)theindividualfamilyandcommunityprocessesunderlyingrisks ofviolent extremism 4)thepotentialroleoflackofsocialintegration inviolent extremismand5)communityknowledge attitudesandbehaviorstowards lawenforcementThe majority of interviews weredigitallyrecorded andthentranscribed intoEnglishInthosecasesinwhichthe persondidnotpermitrecordingdetailed fieldnotes were taken bytheinterviewer
Data AnalysisThisstudy utilizedagroundedtheoryapproachtoqualitativedataanalysis(Charmaz2006Patton2002StraussampCorbin 1998)The groundedtheoryapproachis designedfor the developmentoftheorywithin thecontextofintensive fieldresearchwithqualitative data Specifically thisresearchusedan iterative analysisstrategythatcodedpatterns inqualitative data todescribecategories typologiesandprocessesleadingtothecreationofmodelsTheresearchers utilized Atlasticomputersoftwarewhichisdesigned formanaginglarge amountsofqualitativedata and applyinggroundedtheory methods (Muhr2004)Transcriptsofthe interviews translatedintoEnglishwere entered intoAtlasti
Theresearchersalsodecidedtoenterintothe Atlastidatabaseopen sourcematerialsfromthemediaorgovernmentconcerningSomali‐Americans inMinneapolisTheseincludedinformationonSomali‐Americans violent radicalizationandviolentextremismaswellasdirectquotationsfromfamilyandcommunitymembers2
Theanalysisbeganwithareading oftheentiredatasetof interviewtranscripts bytheresearchteammembersTheinitialreading yieldedasetofcategories thatcorrespondedwiththeinitialconceptualframeworkExamplecategorieswereindividualriskfactorsfor violentextremismfamilyriskfactorsforviolent extremismcommunityrisk factors for violent extremismfamilyprotectiveresourcesagainstviolent extremismcommunityprotectiveresourcesagainstviolentextremismandlawenforcementandculturalissuesThecompleteset ofcategoriesthencontributedtodevelopingacodingschemewithatotalof146codesThereadersalsokepttrackofotherdemographiccontextual andexperiential itemsthatwereimportantin understandingSomali‐Americanswhichin addition tobeingcoded were recorded throughwritingmemos Someexamplesincludedtheimpactofpovertycommunityviolence involvementwithInternetthe transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandgenderrolesinSomalifamilies Thesetooinformedthecoding
2 Thesequotationswere labeledand categorizeddifferentlyinthe database so thatwe could determinewhethera particular quotation camefromanintervieweeoranalternatesource
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 10
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
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SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
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WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Datacollectionconsistedofone‐timeminimallystructuredinterviewslastingbetweenoneandtwohoursTheinterviewerswere threeSomali‐Americanswholived andworkedin theSomalicommunity inMinneapolis‐StPaulandtwoAmericanpsychiatristsDuringthese interviews participantswere encouraged totalkopenlyabout topicsandissuesthatfitwithintheoverallconcernsoftheresearchAtthebeginningofthe interviewstheresearchersstatedthe overallprojectaimsParticipants were then askedtospeakaboutwhatevertheywished intheorder thattheywishedRecognizingthat different peoplecanspeaktodifferentissuesdependingontheir ageandsituationthe interviewersleft ituptotheparticipantstodeterminehow muchdetailtheywantedtogo intoandgenerallyrespondedwithpromptstoencouragethemtosay more(asculturallySomalistendnottobeveryforthcomingininterviews)Theinterviewershadalistoftopicsforthepersontospeaktoandiftheydidnotspeak tothesetopicstheywere askedaboutthemThesetopicswere1)familyandcommunityprotectiveprocesses withrespecttoviolent extremism 2)communityknowledgeand attitudestowardsviolentextremism 3)theindividualfamilyandcommunityprocessesunderlyingrisks ofviolent extremism 4)thepotentialroleoflackofsocialintegration inviolent extremismand5)communityknowledge attitudesandbehaviorstowards lawenforcementThe majority of interviews weredigitallyrecorded andthentranscribed intoEnglishInthosecasesinwhichthe persondidnotpermitrecordingdetailed fieldnotes were taken bytheinterviewer
Data AnalysisThisstudy utilizedagroundedtheoryapproachtoqualitativedataanalysis(Charmaz2006Patton2002StraussampCorbin 1998)The groundedtheoryapproachis designedfor the developmentoftheorywithin thecontextofintensive fieldresearchwithqualitative data Specifically thisresearchusedan iterative analysisstrategythatcodedpatterns inqualitative data todescribecategories typologiesandprocessesleadingtothecreationofmodelsTheresearchers utilized Atlasticomputersoftwarewhichisdesigned formanaginglarge amountsofqualitativedata and applyinggroundedtheory methods (Muhr2004)Transcriptsofthe interviews translatedintoEnglishwere entered intoAtlasti
Theresearchersalsodecidedtoenterintothe Atlastidatabaseopen sourcematerialsfromthemediaorgovernmentconcerningSomali‐Americans inMinneapolisTheseincludedinformationonSomali‐Americans violent radicalizationandviolentextremismaswellasdirectquotationsfromfamilyandcommunitymembers2
Theanalysisbeganwithareading oftheentiredatasetof interviewtranscripts bytheresearchteammembersTheinitialreading yieldedasetofcategories thatcorrespondedwiththeinitialconceptualframeworkExamplecategorieswereindividualriskfactorsfor violentextremismfamilyriskfactorsforviolent extremismcommunityrisk factors for violent extremismfamilyprotectiveresourcesagainstviolent extremismcommunityprotectiveresourcesagainstviolentextremismandlawenforcementandculturalissuesThecompleteset ofcategoriesthencontributedtodevelopingacodingschemewithatotalof146codesThereadersalsokepttrackofotherdemographiccontextual andexperiential itemsthatwereimportantin understandingSomali‐Americanswhichin addition tobeingcoded were recorded throughwritingmemos Someexamplesincludedtheimpactofpovertycommunityviolence involvementwithInternetthe transitionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodandgenderrolesinSomalifamilies Thesetooinformedthecoding
2 Thesequotationswere labeledand categorizeddifferentlyinthe database so thatwe could determinewhethera particular quotation camefromanintervieweeoranalternatesource
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 10
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Theresearchersfirstestablishedintercoderreliability witha selected subsetofthecodelist bycalculating percent agreementbetween reviewersresolvingdifferencesbymakingconsensuschanges inthecodingapproachandrecheckingpercent agreement untilall codersachievedatleast80agreement Nextalltranscripts werecodedbythreecodersusingtheinitialcoding scheme agreeduponbytheentireresearchteamThe codersmetregularlyto discussemergingissuesin thecodingapproachandtorefinecodingstrategiesbyconsensus Thenthroughpattern codingandcreatingmemostheanalysisformedtypologies(egof different typesoffamily protectiveresources)anddelineatedprocessesthatbecamecomponents ofthemodelsdevelopedinthisstudyThe findingswerereviewed bytheentireteamtoenablecheckingforcontrary evidenceand tolaythegroundworkforreporting
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 11
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
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CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
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SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
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WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
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WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
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TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RESULTS
Basedonempiricaldataand informedbytheorythisstudybuiltamodelDiminishingOpportunities for ViolentExtremism(DOVE)which canhelptoinformstrategiesforbuildingcommunityresilience toviolent extremisminthe Somali‐Americancommunityin Minneapolis‐StPaulOveralltheresearchdemonstratedthatmultipleriskfactorscombinedtocreate anopportunitystructureforviolentextremismandthatbuildingresilienceinvolvesstrengthening protectiveresourcesoropportunity‐reducingcapacities
TheDOVE modelconsistsofthreelevelsofopportunityrelated to1) youthrsquosunaccountabletimes and unobserved spaces2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersorassociatesItindicatestheneedforstrengtheningopportunity‐reducingcapacitiesat eachofthethreelevelsthroughcollaboration andcapacitybuilding involvingfamily andyouthcommunity andgovernment
Inthefollowingsectionseachofthethemesthatcomprisethe DOVE modelareidentifiedbrieflydescribedandillustratedwitha selectedquotationfromtheethnographicstudyTheselectedquotationscomefromaparticularyouthparentorcommunityserviceproviderbuteachthemewassupportedbydatafrommultipleparticipants Firstthis reportsharesfindings relatedtoriskfactors andthenprotective resourcesthatsupportresiliencetoviolentextremism
RISK FACTORS
Thefindings indicated thatnoone riskfactorexplained involvementinviolentextremismRatheritwas theinteractionofmultiplerisk factorsatmultiplelevelsthataccountedforinvolvement inviolentextremismFigure1andTable1depictthat riskfactorscombinedtocreateanopportunity structureforviolent extremismwith threelevels ofopportunity1)youthrsquos unaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces2)theperceivedsocial legitimacyofviolentextremismand 3)contact withrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 12
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Youthrsquosunaccountabletimesand unobserved spacesrefertothe timeswhenadolescentboysarenotanswerabletoparentsorotheradultsandareinspaceswheretheyareoutoftheirsightTheperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolentextremismreferstoperceptionsof theappropriatenessandnecessityofviolent extremistideologyandactionsContactwithrecruitersorassociatesreferstoadolescentboysandyoung meninteractingdirectlywitheitherrecruiters orcompanionswhofacilitatetheir increasedinvolvementinviolent extremism
Figure1illustrates thatpotentialinvolvement inviolent extremismdependedonthepresenceofallthreeopportunitiesDecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenwereexposedtothemiddleandloweropportunitiesTable1 belowfurtherdepictsthe risk factorsrelatedtoopportunitiesforentryintoviolentextremismthatwere providedbythesocialcontext anditsnorms
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 13
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
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SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
14
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
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Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
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TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
Lack of Support for Youth
Secondary Migration
Being an Underserved US Refugee Community
Unsafe Neighborhoods
Social Exclusion
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Manyoftheriskfactorswereregardedaspersistentwhereasa subsetofthemwereregardedastransient(andcapitalizedin Table 1)Transientriskfactors werethosethatbecamemoresignificant followingtheEthiopianinvasion ofSomaliathatbegan in2006 Thesetransientriskfactorsincluded1) Perception ofaThreat toSomalia2)Terrorist Organizationsrsquo Recruitment3)CommunitySupportforAlShabaab4)LackofAwareness ofViolent Radicalizationand RecruitmentThesetransient riskfactorsdiminished inresponsebothtoAlShabaablosingsupportinthe Somalidiaspora(123) andtoUS lawenforcementactions(34)Howeverat thetimeof writingcommunitymembersstill regardedAlShabaabaspresentintheircommunitythoughmoredormant
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe riskfactors associated withthethreelevelsof opportunityandgiveoneillustrativequotation fromayouthparent orcommunityserviceprovider for eachrisk factor
LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors MostSomali‐AmericansinMinnesotaarrived viasecondarymigrationchoosing
tomovethereafterlivingfora timein their initialUSresettlementsitewhichin effectmeantthat they were noteligibleforfederaldollars forhousing education jobdevelopmentand socialservices AparentstatedldquoIlivedinMichiganforaboutayear ayear andahalf Foreconomicreasons wecouldnrsquotreallyliveouttherebecausewewerelivingoff offoodstampsAndthenwemovedtoMinnesotaandwelivedthere eversincerdquoSecondary migrationresultedin a lackofadequateservicesforSomali‐Americans
Somali‐Americansreported thattheircommunitydidnotget enoughservicesandinvestmentfromtheUSGovernmentAcommunityservice providersaid ldquoWhenthey comeherealltheparentsaretaughtaboutishowthegovernment worksand howtheycangetSSI[SupplementalSecurityIncome]andmoneybutreallyI donrsquotseepeopletaking initiative toactuallybuildprogramsthathelpparentsunderstandteenagers andhowtheir livesare different because thentheparentswonrsquothavetoexpectustodoeverything thewaywe didbackhomerdquo
Community Risk Factors Somali‐Americans reported thatgovernmentorganizations and groupsdid
notprovideadequate fiscalorsocialresourcesorsocialspacesforyouthAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoYougetoutofschoolat 300andyouhavealmost4 or5 hoursofnothingtodoThecommunitycenterwehavecanonlyservemaybe200peopleduringtheday SowhathappenstotherestoftheyouththatareouthereTheyhavenothingtodoTheyrsquorejuststandingaroundrdquo
Somali‐Americansspokeofthe devastating impactofgang‐and drug‐relatedviolence in theirneighborhoods Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoThegangshaveshownthattheywillkillwithoutanykindofrhymeorreasonAndtheywillkillespeciallyif they thinkyoursquoreasnitchrdquo
Somali‐Americansreported feelingdisadvantaged duetotheirfacingmultiplesocialadversities relatedtoextremepovertyovercrowded housingandbeingrefugeesethnicminorities andMuslimAyouthsaidldquoIwaswearingHijabandtheythoughtmaybeIwasbald‐headedor thatIhadlice ItoldthemthatIworeHijabfor myreligionforareason andI rememberthisonegirlshetookmyHijabtoseeifIhadhairanditturns outthatIhavemorehairthan herSotomyunderstandingpeoplediscriminatetoward religionand discriminate againstthe color ofmyskinSince911morepeopleare
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 15
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
Unmonitored Spaces in Community Forums
Family Seperation or Loss
Weak Parental Support
Absolute Trust in Everyone Who Attends Mosque
Mistrust of Law Enforcement
Overemphasis on Government Power
Lack of Awareness of Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
starting tobeawareofMuslims andIslamandtheymaythinkwe areterrorists even thoughweare notrdquo
Somali‐AmericansdescribedMinneapolis‐St PaulasthelargestSomalicommunityinthe USwithalargemosqueandcommunitycenterswhere activitiescouldbeconductedoutofthelightknowinglyorunknowinglyAparentsaidldquoButasfarasIknowwhenIusedtoattendthemosqueIdonrsquotthinksomebodycanpickupthemicrophoneandsayhey dothisdothatApproachingthe kidbyhimselftalkingtohiminthecornersomewhere thatrsquossomethingIcouldseehappening butIdonrsquotthinkitwas doneinpublicrdquo
Family and Youth Risk Factors Somali‐Americansreportedmanyfamilieswithmissingmembersincluding
manyfamiliesledbysinglemotherswhichmadefordifficultiesraisingadolescentboysand youngmenAparentsaidldquoThereasonIthinkmostofthemwentback[toSomalia]isthey aremissing a fatherfigureathomeMostwereraisedbysinglemothers andthechildren didnrsquot knowright fromwrongrdquoInsingle parent familieswhentheparenthastowork there isevenlessopportunityfor parenting
Somali‐Americans reported thattraditionallyparents were emotionallydistant fromtheirchildrenAcommunity service providersaidldquoThisisAmericaitrsquosnot the sameas justmilking agoatTherersquosalotmoreTherersquos peerpressuretherersquos tryingtofitintoagroupatschooltryingtoimpresshellipAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoParentingwasfurther compromisedbyparentalemotional difficulties duetotraumalossandresettlementdifficulties
Somali‐American parentsregarded their mosquesas themosttrustworthyinstitutions aroundfor helpingand protectingtheirchildrenAparentsaid ldquoSameculturesamelanguagesamereligionOurreligiondoesnrsquotallowyoutodeceiveTheplaceItrustedwasthemosquerdquoAnother parentsaid ldquoWhenwe fledfromourcountrytheonlyhopewasthat wehavethemosquetotrustThatistheonlywaywecankeepourreligion ourcommunityandourculturerdquo Thistrustcreatedanopportunityfor recruiters toactwithfewerconstraintsthantheymayhavefacedinothersettings
Somali‐Americansshared memories ofmistrustfuldangerousandcorruptlawenforcementfromSomaliaandasaconsequencereportedthattheytendedtobeunfamliarwithandfearfulandmistrusting oflawenforcement inthe UnitedStatesAparentsaidldquoWecannotwork withthepoliceYoucannottrustthembecause youdontknowwhoisbadandwhoisgoodhellipYoudonttalktothemandtellthemanythingSothatisitndashtheres no relationshipthererdquoSomerespondentsexpressed moremistrusttowards federalagentsthan towardslocallawenforcement
Somali‐Americansexpressedthat thegovernmentshouldbeabletosolvetheirsocialproblemsandthatfamilies hadlittleto nocapacity todoso AparentsaidldquoThe governmentispowerfulandknows morethanwedointheSomali communitysohowcanthe government helpushowcanthe government stopthisWeneed thegovernmenttostepinandstopthisrdquoAnothersaidldquoThegovernmenthasalleyesParentsonlyhavetwordquo
Somali‐Americanparentshadbeenunawareof therisks for youthinvolvementin violent extremism andhadbeenmoreawareoftherisksforcrimedrugsandgangsAparentsaidldquoI donrsquotthink [theparents]knewIftheyknew theywouldhavestoppedtalkedwiththeirchildrenanddowhateverisnecessarytopreventthatIt wassomethingthatwasdoneinthedarkunderthe tablerdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 16
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
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Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
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SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
Lack of Accurate Information on Violent Radicalization and Recruitment
Little Parental Involvement in Education
Lack of Opportunities
Lack of Warning Signs
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Somali‐Americansreportedthattheymostlygottheirnews bywordofmouthfromlocalSomaliwebsitesorfromSomalinewsagenciesA parentsaidldquoWehave anoraltraditionrdquoSeveral beliefs werepresentin thecommunityregarding whatcausedradicalizationandrecruitment Communitymembersbelievedthat radicalizationandrecruitmentcouldbeexplainedbysomeclearlyidentifiable youthorfamilyvulnerabilityTheycommonly citedabsentfathersand singlemothersuneducatedparentsyouthcriminalitylowintelligenceoracrisisrelatedtobecominganadultmanTheybelievedthatthese factorsrenderedtheyouthvulnerabletoldquobrainwashingrdquo
Talkingwith teachers wasdifficultformany Somali‐American parentsand theycited multiplereasonsincludingdifferingculturalmeaningslittlepriorexperiencedoingsolanguage barriersworkbarriersandfeelingintimidatedAyouthsaidldquoTheydonrsquotknowtheschoolstheydonrsquotknow thesystemsetforusbecause therersquosasystemsetforusasteenagersbecausetheykeepthinkingwersquore alwaysgoingtodosomethingcrazySotheyalwayshavesomethingbuiltforusSotheparentsdonrsquotknowthatrdquo
Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewere notenough qualityeducationalandcareeropportunitiesavailabletothemwhichtheyinpart attributedtodiscriminationAyouthsaidYourealizethateveryoneelse intheclasshasbeenattending schoolsincethe kindergartenbutyouhavenoideawhatsgoingonin theclassthefirstthingyou willfeelis isolatedYoudontbelonginthatparticularenvironmentandeveryoneelse isrightforthe classbutyouarenotand prettysoonyoustartlookingfor another environment andtheotherenvironmentoutsidetheclassroomistheotherkidswhohavealsorealizedthattheydontbelongthereandnowtheyare standingon the streetsotheyendup beingstreet kidsrdquo
Somali‐Americans andothersreportednoclearovertwaystoidentifywhethersomeonehasbeenradicalizedtoviolenceorrecruitedorisplanningtomobilizeAyouthreferringtosomeonewhojoinedAlShabaabsaidldquoBeforehewasregularguymayAllahblesshimbutlatelyhewasveryreligiousguyrdquoAsthisis notunlikeordinaryreligiousconversionscommonlyseen inSomaliyoung adultmentherewasnoovertindicationof aconnectionto Al Shabaab
LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Viewing Somalia as a Failed State Somali‐Americansreportedthat Somaliahadnofunctioningcentral government andthattheinternationalcommunityhadno politicalormilitarysolutionsleadingsome tofeelfrustratedhelplessandopentoviolentextremismAyouthsaidldquoSometimesIsayIhate SomaliabutIreallydonrsquotthatrsquos where IrsquomfromButsometimesIsay itbecause Isee alot ofpeoplegettingkilled nothinggets resolvedrdquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Somali‐Americansreportedthat therewasaproliferation ofextremist teachingson theinterneteasilyaccessibletoyouth AparentsaidldquoThe childrenarenotsafeathomebecausehelliptheygotoYouTubeandthey[violentextremists]havetheirownwebsitesMostofthesechildrenwereexposedbythisguyfrom Yemen[Anwaral‐Awlaki]rdquo
Perception of a New Threat to Somalia ForSomali‐AmericanstheEthiopian invasion ofSomaliain2006‐9was ashotthat rangoutthroughouttheSomaliDiaspora alongwithanurgentcallfor action A
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 17
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
youthsaid ldquoThatrsquosallwekepthearing‐the Ethiopians arecoming inwith HIVandAIDStheyrsquoreraping littlegirlstheyrsquoremercilesslykillingmenandwomenrdquo
Objections to US Government Foreign Policy Somali‐Americansreported strongdisagreementwiththeUSsanctioningoftheEthiopianandKenyangovernment invasionsofSomaliaAcommunityserviceprovidersaidrdquoThegovernmentcouldhaveexplained itsforeign policyactivities TheUSinvolvement withEthiopiawascounterproductiverdquo
Community Risk Factors Community Support for Al Shabaab Somali‐AmericansreportedthatAlShabaabenjoyedfairly widespreadcommunitysupportfor severalyearsespeciallyafterthe 2006EthiopianinvasionAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoBefore they weregood andgained thetrustof everyonebecausethey weredefendersofthefreedombutnowIdonrsquotthinkpeoplesee that wayfor themeverybodysees them blood‐thirstymonstersrdquo
Hearing Bad News about Somalia Somali‐Americansexpressedconcerns that themainstreamUS mediapaintedanegativepicture ofSomalisandMuslimsintheir reportingontheMinneapolisstoryofthemobilizedyouthleadingsome youthtofeelmisunderstoodandopentoexplanationsthatportrayedtheUSgovernmentor Americansocietyas theenemyA youth said ldquoYouarealwayshearingbadthingsaboutSomaliaSomalisSo thataffectspeoplerdquo
Being a Divided Community Somali‐Americansdescribedtheir communityasdividedbyclans and subclansideologyreligiouspractriceandpoliticalaffiliationAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoSomalicommunityorganizations havenotangibleleaderandthereisdivisionamongSomaliCommunityorganizationsbecause tribesdivide themrdquoPart of the appealofAlShabaabmayhavebeenits transcendenceofclan andsub‐clan affiliations
Remittance Sending Somali‐Americansregularlysend moneytofamilymembersinSomaliaand inothercountriesofrefugeand this keepsthem tied inwith lifeinSomalia AparentsaidldquoSoIhelpthemsendsome moneyhelpthemtocomeheresothatwecangetfamiliessomychildrencanhavesomeolderkindofbrothersthathecanplaywithandstufflikethatrdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetheextremistrsquoscalltosendmoney toSomalia
Having a Nomadic Heritage Somali‐Americanslike allSomalisareahighly mobilepopulationevenin resettlement AparentsaidldquoThentheycame heresome ofthemhadneverbeeninacity andtheycamefromsmallvillagesandhadlived asnomadsTheyneverhaveseen a lightand theygethere andtheyjust wantedtosavetheirchildrenandtheirculturerdquoForyouthand parentsthiscannormalizethe extremistrsquoscalltomovebacktoSomalia
Interaction with Migration Brokers WhenSomalissoughttomovefromrefugeecampsto theUnitedStates they oftensoughttheservicesofSomalistohelpthem arrange themoveandwhenin theUnitedStates toprovideassistancewithadjustmentOneparent saidldquoSotheyhelpedussettlehereandwewerejusttwentypeopleatthetimein1992Soweusedtohelp peoplecomehereandtranslate[for]themandlookforthem housebeforeoneorganizationwasever setup hererdquoForyouthandparentsthiscannormalizetherecruiterrsquos effortstoassist theminmoving backtoSomalia
Social Exclusion Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 18
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
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CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family and Youth Risk Factors Little Family Talk about War Somali‐Americanparentsdidnot liketotalkaboutthewarinSomaliawiththeirchildrenbecausethey wantedthem tostart anewand betterlife A parentsaidldquoItrsquosunlikelya parentwouldtalkevenaboutthe warwiththeirkidsUsuallyadultswouldcometoahomeandvisitwiththeparentsandthey[thechildren]wouldhearthemtalkingor eventhefatherandmothertalkingaboutit[athome]ButtheycouldhearthatalotButitrsquosnotdirectedatthemrdquoDespitethissilenceinfamiliesyouthwere aware ofthewarand whenrecruitersorassociates talkedwiththemaboutviolentextremismtheydid notgenerally discussthis withfamily members
Identity Issues among Members of Generation 15Those Somali‐American youthborninSomaliaorin acountryofrefugewho thencame totheUnitedStates inchildhoodoradolescencereported moredifficulties adjusting feeling notquiteAmericanand not quiteSomaliAparentsaidldquoTheywanttobelongbutwhodotheybelongtordquoThesestrugglesover identity couldbeexploitedbyrecruiters intheireffortstoencourageyouthtoseetheirparentsasnon‐Muslimanddirect their filialloyaltytowardsAl Shabaab
Being Passionate about Somalia Somali‐Americanyouthreportedcaring deeplyaboutSomaliaandwantingto helpmakeitbetterin theirlifetimesAyouthsaidldquoWewerethegenerationthat wasgoing to helpSomalia becomeabettercountryrdquoThis attitudepredisposedsomeyouthtosolutionsproposedbyviolent extremiststorestoreSomalia
Being Uninformed about Islam Somali‐AmericansreportedthatyouthdidnotknowenoughaboutIslamtoquestionorresistextremistviewsandsomeparentsdidnotknowenoughtotalkto theirchildrenabouttheseissuesAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoLifeiswritteninthebookhelliphowyoushouldvaluethingsrespectothers andappreciate others If peoplefolloweditthenIbelieve there wouldnrsquotbeabigproblemasthereisnowrdquo
Being Uninformed about Somalia Somali‐Americans reportedyouth knowing verylittleaboutSomalia orlivingconditionsduringwartimeAparent saidldquoThose boyswentthereto fightfortheir countryand theywerenottoldtherealstoryrdquo
Social Identity Challenges Somali‐Americanyouthreportedhaving difficulties findingalocalgroupor socialnichewheretheycouldfitin andfeelgoodaboutthemselves AparentsaidldquoTherersquos peerpressuretherersquostrying tofit into a groupatschooltrying toimpresshellipteenagers want everyonetolikethemandiftheydonrsquotthenIhaveaproblemAndparentsdonrsquotunderstandrdquoNotfittingintoasocialgroupcouldcontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsarecruiteror a groupofassociates
Indirect and Direct Traumas Somali‐Americansreportedyouth havingbeenindirectlyexposed totraumaticevents thattheirfamily andcommunity experiencedduringthecivilwarandalsotocommunity violence in theUnited States Ayouthsaid ldquoI believe itindirectly affectsmeand myfamilyeven thoughnotdirectlybutindirectlyBecausethisstillhappenswhereIliveIseeitrdquoTraumarsquosemotionalandcognitiveconsequencescouldpossiblycontribute toyouthrsquosattractiontowardsthejustifyingnarrativesof violent extremism
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 19
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
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ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
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McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
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OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
Global State and Societal Risk Factors Terrorist Organizationrsquos RecruitmentSomali‐Americansreported that AlShabaabmadedeliberateeffortstobuildandutilizenetworksinthediasporausingsocialmediaandformerfighterstorecruityouthfromthediaspora AyouthsaidldquoTheyrsquollsaylsquoHeydoyouloveyourcountry Doyouwanttodosomethingforyourpeopletheyrsquore dyingrsquordquo
Violent Extremism on the Internet Seeabove
Community Risk Factors Sources of Radical Ideology Somali‐Americansreported thatin the community therewere someteacherswhoexposedyouthtoSalafiideologywhichwasdifferent fromtheSufiIslamtraditionallypracticed in Somaliaandoftenperceivedasa foreignideologyldquoThemosqueisnotproblem Itrsquospeopleusingthemosquefortwisted ideologyhellipbutweendedupservingcrazyideologyrdquoSomecommunitymembersregardedthisasanunderlyingpreparationfor violent extremismbecauseAlShabaabself‐identifies asSalafievenif theybelievedthat mosquesandImamswere notdirectlyinvolvedinterroristrecruitment
PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Efforts toincrease resilience shouldfocusonstrengtheningprotectiveresources oropportunity‐reducingcapacitiesFurthermorefamily andyouthcommunityandgovernmentcanhelptostrengthenopportunity‐reducing capacities ateachlevelofopportunityThisisshowninFigure2andTable2Basedonthe risk factorsdescribed aboveprioritiesshouldincludediminishing 1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)thepotentialforcontactwithterroristrecruitersor associates
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 20
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
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CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
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PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
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SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
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WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
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WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
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TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Figure2illustratesthatbuildingcommunityresilience to violent extremism shouldbeapproached throughcommunitycollaborationandcapacitybuildingShared goalscouldbeto1)collaborativelystrengthen families 2) develop communitysupportforfamilies and youth3)adoptnewgovernmentalstrategiesforcommunitysupportandprotection
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 21
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
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BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
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CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
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StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
22
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Thistableandthefollowingsection depicttheprotective resourcesthatcanreducetheopportunities forentryintoviolent extremismthatwereprovidedbythesocialcontextanditsnormsThetablewasorganizedby sectorso astoemphasizethedifferingprotective resourcesassociatedwithfamilyandyouthcommunityand governmentSomeprotectiveresourcesalreadyexisted within theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulOnefamilyprotective resource awareness of risks and safeguards for youthappearsto havebeen enhancedduetoincreasedparentingactivitiesinreaction tonewsof themissingyouthandalsoduetolawenforcementactivities Onecommunityprotectiveresource cooperation with law enforcementappears to havebeenenhancedduetonew communityoutreachprogramsdevelopedbytheFBItheMinneapolis‐StPaulPoliceDepartmentthe USAttorneyrsquosOfficeinMinnesotaandtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity Othercapacities couldbeenhancedordevelopedthroughnewinitiativesasindicatedbelow
Thefollowingsections identifyand describe eachofthe protectiveresourcesassociatedwiththesame threesectorsdepicted inTable2andforeachresourcegiveone illustrative quotation froma youth parentorcommunityservice provider
FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Awareness of Risks and Safeguards SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowhaving information aboutthepotentialrisksofviolentradicalizationand recruitment andtheproperstepsforhandling these concernsA parent toldtheirchildrenldquoIfyouseesomebodyoutsidetrying totellyousomethingwhethertheperson beSomaliblackwhiteotherthaninschooldont listentothemandcometomeandtellmewhattheyaretellingyouDont justbelievewhatpeoplearetellingyou unlessyouareinschoolandits yourteachersteachingyousomethingrdquo
Parental Monitoring and Supervision SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportednowmoreactivelyand consistently lookingaftertheir teenagechildrenAparentsaid Ishowthemweare friendsItrytohavedirectcontactsallthetimeI donrsquotactthatonlyIamaparentbutalsothatIamtheirfriend AthomeatschoolandoutsideLet megive you anexampleWhenmykidswant tohangaroundsportsactivitiesItrytooffer a timetogo withthemandknow theirfriendswhatthey likeandstaymostofthetime unlessthey areinclass
Family Confidants SomeSomali‐Americans reported thatchildren went totheirparentsor siblingstotalkabouthard‐to‐discussissues ortohelpsolvedifficultproblemsAparentsaidldquoWeekendswetaketimetogetherNowtheyarewith meinthemosqueTheytake me forweekend classesIpickthemupanddrive themtomosqueandthenItakethembacktohomeIntheeveningI eithercomebackhere ortosomeotherprogramSoItry tostaywiththemTohavea conversationSointhatway theytellmeeverythingrdquo
Family Social Support SomeSomaliparents reported thatthey regularlytriedtoprovidetheirchildrenwithcomfortandassistanceAyouthsaid ldquoMyauntis alsomymentorandshehelpsmeoutShegetsmetutorsSheboughtmealaptoptowriteessaysbecauseImapplyingtocollegesShehelpsmewritetheessaysandthebest waytowriteAnd alsomymother‐my numberonerole modelandmentorasyoumightsayShesbeentherethroughouteverythingrdquo
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 23
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
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HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
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HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Family Involvement in Education SomeSomaliparentsreportedvaluingeducationandtalkingwiththeirchildrenabouttheimportanceofschoolAparentsaid ldquoYouhavetoguidekidsYouhavetoguidethemtoschoolIftheygraduatetheywillhaveadifferentperspectiveonlifeHewillthink differently Hewillknowwhatisgoodandwhat isbadrdquo
Access to Services and Helpers SomeSomali‐Americanparentsreportedbeing abletoget supportfromhelpersincludingteachershealth ormentalhealthcareproviderssocialservice providers andlawenforcementAyouthsaidldquoMyteachershewasreallygoodOnetimemyfriend translated fromhertomeandItoldherIwantedtolearnEnglishsobadsothatIwouldntneed any translator andshesaidshedstayafterschoolandshed teachmeEnglishwordsevery day AndIsaidokayand Istayedwithhereveryday afterschoolandIlearnedsomebasicEnglishShegaveme threeor fourvocabulariesevery dayandthatreallyhelpedmetolearnEnglishanditwasreallygoodrdquo
Parental and Youth Help‐Seeking SomeSomali‐Americanparents and youthsaidthatiftheyhadaproblemtheywereabletoreach outforhelptocommunityelderslawenforcementsocialserviceproviders orhealthcareworkersAyouthsaidldquoSomeeldershave encouraged metopursuemygraduateeducation getmymasterrsquosdegreeIamtakingmyGREnowAlwaysIrsquomlookingforadviceIwanttobesuccessfulsoIdonrsquotfail Ialwayslikeadvicerdquo
Parental Involvement in Mosques and Religious Education SomeSomali‐American parentswerenow moreactivelyinvolved inknowing whattheirchildrenwere doinginthemosques andinreligiousschoolAparentsaidldquoIthinkifpeopleespeciallyparentswerealotclosertogether and knewwhotheirkidsrsquoteacherswerebothin publicschoolandreligiousschoolthatitwouldbeawholedifferentballgameIfyoudontknowwhereyourkidgoesafterschooloryoujustknowyourkidgoestothemosquethatisnotenoughinformationPeopleneedtogointomoredetailinto theirkidslivesmorenowthaneverrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Focus on Youthrsquos Future in the US Somali‐Americanparents andcommunityproviders emphasized withyouththattheirpurposeforbeingintheUnitedStatesis toseekeducationopportunitiesacareer andanewlife A youthsaidldquoNowisthetimetothinkabout theirfutureandnot goingback towarsandstufflikethatIfyouhaveachancetobuildupyourlifeyouhavetotakeadvantageofthatNotgobacktoSomaliardquo
Parental Support for Youth Socialization SomeSomali‐American parents talkedwiththeirchildrenaboutraceandreligionsoasto makethemproudandabletodealwithdailychallengestotheiridentityAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoInorder todifferentiategoodthingsandbadthingsyouhavetohaveanideaforbothsidesGoodMuslimsandbadMuslimsIfthey donrsquotknowwhotheyaretheideologyofextremismandthe ideologytheir fathergrewupthentheywill neverunderstandIf Idonrsquot explain that tothemthensomebodyelsewill giveadifferentspeechrdquo
Rejecting Tribalism and War SomeSomaliyouthreportedredefininganewmodernSomaliidentitythatwasopposedtotribalismviolenceandwarAyouthsaidldquoSomalisneedto discardtribalisminordertomoveforwardrdquo
Parental Talk with Youth Regarding Threats SomeSomali‐Americanparents activelyspokewiththeiryouthregardingthe threatof violentextremismintheircommunityAparentsaidtotheirteenagechildafterhearingaboutapossiblerecruitmentcontact ldquoThisisaloadofcrapThesepeopleare fightingfor
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 24
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
tribalreasonsandtheyrsquorenotfightingfor the nationalsecurityofSomaliaandyoushouldnrsquotbother yourselfwithitFocusonschoolrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave becomeactiveinaddressingissuesofpublicconcernsuchaschildprotectionyouthdevelopmentcrimeprevention andelectoralpoliticsAyouthsaid ldquoTheyactuallytrainustobecomeleaders Andtheygive uslessonsAndwegofrom onecommunity toothersandwehave campaigns againstviolenceandsothewholedealispovertyandjusticewe havetodo allthesethingstogoagainst povertyrdquo
Youth Political Dialogue SomeSomali‐Americanyouthhave foundwaystojoininpolitical dialoguesconcerning SomaliaMinneapolis‐StPaulandorMuslims AyouthsaidldquoIgotinvolvedinhighschoolAcoupleofmyfriends andIcreatedtheStudent Association oncampusWegotaprayer roomforusDifferentawareness wecollected moneyeveryweekAwarenessaboutIslam oncampus withthatit teachesustoseetheleadership qualitiesyouhaveandwiththattheresalotof resourcesinvolvedrdquo
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Parents Informing Law Enforcement SomeSomali‐Americanparents havebecomemoreactiveintermsoftellinglawenforcement if theyhaveconcerns abouttheiryouthortheir friends Aparent saidYouknowyouseepapersdowntherethat saylsquoIfyoureinterestedinthismeetingcometherersquoandeverymomwhoheardtherewasa shootinggoingonshewouldgo thereTheywouldtalktothepoliceofficersface‐to‐faceTheytalk abouthowtheycanhelpthecommunityandhowtohelpchangethings
Parental Messaging in Community Regarding Youth Protection Somali‐Americanparentsreportedthattheycouldplayalargerrole in talking tocommunityserviceproviderssuchasImamsteachersandcoachesabouttheirconcerns regarding youthprotection Onecommunityservice providersaidWediscussthatissuewheneverwemeetCoupleyearsagowenever discussedthat Whenever wegatherwhereverwegatherweremember raisingkids tellinggoodstorieshavinggoodrelationwithkidsandavoidingbadthingsWetripleoureffortstoreachthecommunityand explain that ideologyIthinkalot ofpeopleareawaremorethanbeforerdquo
COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobseved Spaces Trusted Accurate Information Sources Somali‐American youthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders reportedthattheysoughtmoreaccurateup‐to‐date understandablepersonalizedknowledgeaboutviolentradicalization andrecruitment andwhatto doA parentsaidldquoSomalielderscantakearoletoeducatetheSomalicommunityEldersshouldorganizemeetingsinthecommunity and explaintheconsequencesifwedonrsquotbuildcommunicationwithourkidsand explainourcultureandtruereligionNobodycantakeourkidsadvantageif allcommunityare wellalerted abouttheradicalizationrdquo
Increased Activities in Supervised Community Spaces Somali‐Americansreportedthat youthneededmoreplacestobeafterschoolwheretheycanengageinyouthactivitieswhileunderthesupervisionofresponsibleadultsAyouthsaidldquoThesekids need a sportsplacewheretheycan entertain themselvesAllthesestreetkidsneedtohavea neighborhoodsportsfacilityalsotheyouthneedtohavementorsrdquo
Mentoring of YouthSomeSomali‐AmericanyouthandparentsservedasmentorstoyoungerSomalisbutmanymoreareneededAyouthsaidldquoSoItellthemIrsquomlikeabigsisteryoucancometalktomeIrsquomlikeamentorIhelpwithcollegeItellthemthingsIhear aboutthatareinteresting Theyrsquoredoing
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 25
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
better and I seetheprogressWe writedown goalsthings we wanttoaccomplish everymonthaswesee ifwemade ituptothatrdquo
Increased Civilian Liasions to Law Enforcement Somali‐Americansreportedthatlocalandfederallaw enforcementorganizationshadestablishedformalandinformalcommunityliaisons AcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOneofficer whoisaliaisontothecommunityandoneciviliancome andbringus kidswhohaveissues A staffmemberspeakswiththefamilyand seesthekidAndwehelp themwiththepolicerdquo
Interactions with Community Police Communitymembersrecognizedthatlocallawenforcementhad improvedthefrequency andquality ofcommunitypolice officersrsquorelationshipwithcommunitymembersAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoThepoliceandSomalicommunitycometogetherbut asfar astrustthatissomethingIcannotsayorseeButwejusttalkabouthowwecanworktogetherrdquoTrustincreasedwiththeintroductionofSomali communityliaisonsandSomalipoliceofficers
Social Entrepreneurship Individualcommunitymemberswithlanguageeducationandtechnicalskillshaveattemptedtodeveloptheirskillsandgethiredbygovernmentalornon‐governmentalorganizations involved in countering violent extremismastheyhadfor other communitysocialandhealthissuesAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoIalsohave asmallpart‐time businessverysmallIdevelopbusinessplansforsmallbusinessesand alsotrainnonprofitsIdidmy graduateschoolinpublicadministrationSoItrained theminhowto developtheirorganizationdevelopa strategicplanboardtrainingthosekindsofthingshowtogetgrantsandstuffresourcestheyneedItrsquosvery part‐timeButitrsquossomethingIhopetogivemore timesometimeinthe futureAnd alsoItakesomeclassesrelatedtothisbecauseIwant tofocusontraininganddevelopmentsoIrsquomdoingonlineclasses onhumanresources
Interfaith Dialogue Somali‐Americansandotherswere concernedthatSomalireligiousleaderswere sometimes isolated and old‐fashionedandthatparticipationin dialoguewithclericsfromotherfaithscouldbehelpfultothemAcommunityservice providersaidldquoYoucouldblametheImamsforbeing obliviousorcluelessoroutoftouchrdquo
Social Support Networks SomeSomalisreportedthatthey werewell‐connectedwithothers inthe communitywhocould offersocialemotionalinformationaland tangiblesupport AparentsaidldquoWhatmakestheSomalicommunitystrongiseven thoughitdoesnrsquotseemthatwaymostofthetimebecausewersquorecloselyknit wenetworkwitheachotherandat theend ofthe dayIthinkwehaveagoodheartandwehelpeach otherrdquo
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Islamic Education and Imam Network Somali‐Americanswerethankful thatmostSomaliyouthhavebeeninvolvedinsome kindof formalreligious education buttheythoughtitcouldbestrongerand thatImamscouldbetterworkwithone another tostrengthen Islamic education includingthrough emphasizingtheIslamicprinciples ofpeaceandharmoniouscoexistenceAyouthsaidldquoIthinktheImamsare goodtheyjustneed toreachoutmorethatsallTheyare trainedperfectlyfinebuttheyneedtospeakouttothekidsandnot be quietandtheyneedto helpmorerdquo
Community Support for Youth Socialization TheSomali‐Americancommunity reportedthatthere wereseveralgroupsandorganizationsthat werecommittedtohelpingyouthwithsocialdevelopment andintegration Acommunityserviceproviderreported ldquoThatrsquoswhatacommunityisforYoursquoresupposedtomentortheyouthyoursquoresupposedtowork withthe youthYoursquoresupposedtoseethem
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 26
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
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Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
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WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
throughtheirdifficultiesItrsquos supposedtobea centerahub thattakes careofthembasicallyProvide afterschoolhelpeverything thatparentscanrsquotproviderdquo
Understanding of Islam as a Peaceful Religion Somaliyouthandadultshavebeenputinapositionofhaving toexplaintoothersthatIslamisapeacefulreligion andneed betterpreparationtodosoAparentsaidldquoIfyoudonrsquotdefendyourreligionandsay this is wrongandthisiswhyitrsquoswrongthentherearealotof peoplewhoaregoingto takeadvantageofthesituationandbetrayIslamasaveryviolentand totalitarian religionrdquo
Youth Opportunities for Peace Activism Someyouthreportedhaving foundopportunitiestobeinvolved in civicactivitiesbutotherswishedtherewere more opportunitiesAyouthsaidldquoTheyhaveayouthcouncilandIrsquominterestedintryingto findoutwhy everythingisgoingwrongLikewhythingsthat arehappeningaround herehavebeenwhy thereareshootings andwhycanrsquotweliveapeacefullife hererdquo
Messaging to Challenge Legitimacy of Violent Extremism SomeSomalishavebeenactivelyspeaking outagainst therationaleforreturningtoSomaliatofightfor AlShabaabAparentsaid ldquoTheirparents probablyyelledatthem Irsquomsure andexplainedtothemwithreasoningthatyes weunderstandyour intentionYesyouwant toprotect fromEthiopiabutthisis notthe wayit isWhatcanyoudoAreyou goingtoregisterin the SomaliarmyNoitwas notawar againstEthiopiaItwasadifferentwarSoyou shouldnrsquotparticipateuntilyouknow whyrdquo
Youth Civic Engagement Youth Political Dialogue Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Cooperation with Law Enforcement Communitymembersandgroupsreportedthatthey werestrivingtobuildworking relationshipswithlawenforcementsoastofightterrorismandothercrimesAparentstatedldquoThecommunityshouldnotbescaredworkingwith authorities Theyarehere tosafeguardAndwearealsosafeguardingourlives Therefore weshouldworktogetherIwishtheywouldbemoreinvolved in community Comeinto community Andkeeplinesof communication openrdquo
Monitoring by Community Members Somecommunity membersreported informallyhavingbeenmoreactivelyobservingyouthinsocialspaces forsignsofradicalizationtoviolenceandrecruitmentA community serviceprovidersaidldquoWhereever thesekids gothe communitymustdoalotoffollow‐upandbecomeaggressiveinvestigatorsthecommunityshouldknow whatthese kidsbeen taughtrdquo
Messaging to Warn off Recruiters InpublicspacesinMinneapolis‐StPaultherewerefewmessagesto warnoffrecruiters accordingto communitymembersthoughprivatelymany parentshaveexpressedsuchsentiments AparentsaidldquoIthinkalltheImamsandcommunityleaders theybecamevery clearandassertivethat this iscivilwar thisiscalled fitna inIslamorcalamityItrsquosverydangerouswhenyou seepeoplekillingeachotherforno reasonSoitrsquosreallyprohibitedinIslamanditrsquosnotacceptableIseemoreeducatingcampaignsandconversations rightnow butthe communityshouldcontinuedoingthatrdquo
Bloggers and Websites against Violent Extremism Somali‐Americansreportedthatwebsites andbloggerswhoopposeAlShabaabandviolent extremismexistedbutwerenothighlyactiveAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoOfcourseanythingwith resourceswouldhelp thecommunityBecausetheywill saylistenletrsquoswatchthemoretheylearn thebetterhellipwhohas thetimetorecordanduploadIcommit
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 27
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
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SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
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Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
fourhourseveryFridayandwe nevergetpaidSoifwetryto addthatandmorerecordingthenwe forgetaboutourotherjobsBut ifwehelpwersquorewillingtodothatWehavecamerasthecommunitywe candothatrdquo
Critical Voices in the Community IntheSomali‐American communitythereweremanyoutspokenindividuals whopublicallychallengedleaders institutionsandthestatusquobuttheywerenotnecessarily trained and supported todosoAcommunityserviceprovidersaidldquoIthinkitrsquos morecommunity responsibilitykindofbecausethe government hasno roletoteachyoutherightIslamorwhatthecorrectIslamisSoI thinkitrsquosmore community responsibilityand theresponsibility oftheImamsandtheIslamicscholarsrdquo
GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
Diminish Youthrsquos Unaccountable Times and Unobserved Spaces Community Policing Somali‐Americansreportedthatnewcommunitypolicingactivities hadimproved therelationshipbetweenthecommunityandlocallawenforcement AparentstatedldquoThecommunityneedsSomalipoliceofficersso theyunderstandthecultureandthelanguageand everythingrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Somali‐Americans recognized a majorneed forthecommunityandorganizationstohelpsupportparentsandimprove parenting especiallyregarding the risksforviolentextremismposedtoyouthAparentstatedldquoWeshouldalsocreateprogramsforparents‐culturalawarenessprogramsTheyrsquorevery oblivioustowhatrsquos goingoninAmericaEducatethemHavetheyouthtellthemstuffthatgoes oninschoolsProblemsthatthey faceBringbackthecommunitycollectivismthatwehadinSomaliardquo
Support for After‐school Programs and Mentoring Somali‐Americansreportedthatafter‐schoolandmentoring programswereveryhelpfulandmorewere neededto meettheneedsofyouth AyouthsaidldquoIthinkthethingisthatwedonthavecommunity activitiesorafterschoolprogramsthatencouragethekidstostayyouknowlike‐letssayyoucomefromschoolso allyoucandoisgohomeorgototheMosqueSoitsdifferentSoif youhavecommunityactivities likesportssoccerbasketballsomething thatmakes yougothererdquo
Support for Youth and Family Social Services Familyandcommunitymembersreportedthatsomeserviceswereavailablebutnotenoughtomeettheneedsof familyand youth Acommunityservice providersaid ldquoWedidnthaveenoughplaces or enoughsocialservicesthatcan mentorthosekidsorwhentheycomeouttojailinsteadofgoingjusttoprobation officertheywantsomeonetoguidethemrdquo
Trusted Accurate Information Sources Seeabove
Diminish the Perceived Social Legitimacy of Violent Extremism Empowering Critical Voices Somali‐Americansrecognizedthat somepeopleintheircommunity wereabletospeakoutagainstviolentextremismbuttheyneededlogisticalsupportknowledgeandskillstodosomoreeffectively AyouthsaidldquoIrsquomnotgoingto waituntilIrsquomdoctorIrsquomgoingtoencouragepeopletomarchwithmeonthis Irsquom goingtobepartofthecommunityandmake adifferencein someonersquoslifebymentoringorget youthinterested raise awarenesshellipthoseare thethings I candordquo
Support for Youth Community Services SomeSomali‐American youthhavehadtheopportunitytoget involved in community servicebutmanymorewouldliketodosoifopportunitiesweremade available
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 28
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
REFERENCES
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ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
AyouthsaidldquoDuringschoolyearswehadaSomalischoolassociationsoalltheyoungadultsandyouththatweregoingtothe schoolwouldgettogetherthatrsquoswhere wedidcommunityworkhellipWehadabout150to200 students thatwehelda conferenceforhellipThey didalittleskitandaplaythatwasinasensehumorousthattalkedabouthowwhenyoucometothiscountryyoucaneasilybeovertakenhellipItdidnrsquot lastawhilewejustdiditonceIwishwecontinuedtodoitrdquo
Support for Youth Leadership Training SomeSomali‐American youthhavebenefitedfrom training in leadership oncommunitysocialandpolitical issuesbutmany more couldbetrained includinginways tobecommunityadvocatesandvoicesthatopposeviolent extremism Acommunityserviceprovider saidldquoIhavemyselfbeeninvolved withyouthandcommunity and leadershipprogramsAyearortwo yearsagoIwasinvolvedinayouth empowermentprogramwhere theytrainedusonhowtounderstandtheyouthandhowyouthcooperatewithadultsrdquo
Support for Parenting and Parent Education Seeabove
Diminish the Potential for Contacts with Recruiters and Associates Training for Community Leaders and Providers Veryfewcommunityleaders orservice providers haveparticipatedinanytrainingrelated tocounteringviolent extremismthoughmorewouldliketoAcommunity serviceprovidersaidldquoLetshavea trainingfor eventhepeoplewhoareworkinginthe mosqueAndletrsquossayokaywe are livinghere wewantto beinpeace wedontwantanyproblemslikethatLetstellourkidslsquoOhyouguysare UScitizens Americanisa goodplaceitsaniceplacetoliversquordquo
Support for Community Messaging Somalis viewedeldersasthe mostrespectedadvisorsandleadersinthecommunityandsomehave beenspeakingoutaboutviolent radicalization andrecruitmentbut theycouldbedoingmore Ayouthsaid ldquoWe wantedtodosomethingaboutitandwewantedtoshowourcommunity andourelders thatayounggroupofpeoplecancometogether anddosomethingAndsomehowwewerehopingtheywouldtakethetorchandrunwithittooImeanwe werenotan organizationTheyknewitthat wasmadeclearIguessitjustdidnrsquothappenrdquo
Community Policing Bloggers and Websites Against Violent Extremism Seeabove
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 29
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
REFERENCES
Alitolppa‐NiitamoA2004SomaliYouthintheContextofSchoolinginMetropolitanHelsinkiAFrameworkforAssessingVariabilityinEducationalPerformance Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 3081‐106
ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
CONCLUSIONS
Basedonempiricaldatathatcomesfromlisteningtothoseinthecommunityandinformedbyrelevanttheorythis studyidentified themes andbuilta modelDiminishingOpportunities forViolent Extremism(DOVE)Thismodelcanhelpto informpreventionstrategiesforbuildingcommunity resiliencetoviolentextremismintheSomali‐American community inMinneapolis‐StPaulItfoundthatmultiplerisk factors combinedtocreate an opportunitystructure forviolent extremismandthatbuildingresiliencerequiresstrengtheningprotectiveresourcesTheDOVEmodelconsistsof threelevelsofopportunitiesrelatedto1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimesandunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsocial legitimacy ofviolentextremism and3)contactwithrecruitersor associates Involvement inviolent extremismdependedon thepresence ofallthreeopportunitieswithdecreasingproportionsofadolescentboysandyoungmenexposedtothelattertwoThestudyrsquosfindingsindicate theneedforstrengtheningprotective resources(oropportunity‐reducingcapacities)ateachofthelevelsofopportunitythroughcollaborationandcapacitybuilding involving familyandyouthcommunityandgovernment
Risk and Protection Thisresearchunderlinedtheneed toacknowledgecommunitymembersrsquoconcernsthatviolentextremismwillnot disappearfromUSSomali‐Americancommunitiesanytime soonthoughovertimeit willlikelychangeinformandintensityIt also demonstratedthenecessityofshifting fromanalysesoverlyfocusedonindividual‐levelfactorsleadingto violent radicalizationtomultilevelanalyses thatincludestructuralsocial politicaleconomiccommunityandfamily‐levelriskfactors andprotective resourcesthatmightmitigateinvolvementin violent extremism Basedonthesesomecommunities may bemoreat riskthan othersdue tothepresenceofmoreopportunitiesfortransformativecontactwithrecruitersandviolentextremists intheir everydaylives Thiscallsforfurtherresearch
Resilience Thisstudy alsodemonstratedthe centralityof resilience to counteringviolentextremismbut alsothatresilience iscomplexandnotlimited toindividualresilienceItfunctionsonmultiplelevels includingtheindividualfamilycommunityandinstitutional Itis necessary to ensurethat resilience‐focusedprogramsand policiesare wellsupportedbytheoryempirical evidence andcommunity collaborationFamilyresilience shouldbeincludedasan importantcomponent ofcommunityresilience andthe familyshouldbeacknowledgedasakeysourceofbothriskfactorsand protective resources Whenfocusingonresilienceitis alsoimportanttoappreciate thatgovernmentcommunitiesandfamilies alsofaceadversitiesandlimitationsregarding their potentialactivitieswhichcanimpactresilienceForallofthesereasonsresilience cannotsimply bedialedupBuildingresilience toviolentextremismwillbeatleastascomplicatedaswasbuilding resiliencetogangviolenceHIVAIDSrisksanddomesticviolenceItis achievable butnotstraightforwardoreasy
Prevention ThereisnomagicbulletforpreventionPrimaryprevention inanimmigrantandrefugeecommunity shouldbeconceptualizedasmore thanbetter cooperationwithlaw enforcementPreventioneffortsshouldbetargetedtowards themostvulnerablepeopleandplacesAcapacitybuildingapproachcanbeutilizedtoenhancegovernmentcommunityandfamilycapacitiestoreduceopportunitiesforinvolvementinviolent extremism Prioritiescouldincludediminishing1)youthrsquosunaccountabletimes andunobservedspaces 2)theperceivedsociallegitimacyofviolent extremism and3)the potentialfor contactswithterrorist recruitersor associates
Partnerships Thestudyhighlightedtheimportanceofcollaborative partnershipsbetweengovernmentandcommunity groupsorganizationsandleadersincounteringviolent extremismToidentifyand supportresilience in a community partnershipscanfacilitate learningaboutcommunitymembersrsquohistoryculturesocialstructurevaluesneeds resourcesanddaily experiencesinorder todetermine
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 30
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
REFERENCES
Alitolppa‐NiitamoA2004SomaliYouthintheContextofSchoolinginMetropolitanHelsinkiAFrameworkforAssessingVariabilityinEducationalPerformance Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 3081‐106
ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
preciselywhatresiliencemeansfor themForrefugeeand immigrantcommunitiesitis importanttopay attentionto suchkeycommunityissuesasimmigrationrefugee statusethnicandracialminoritystatusdiscriminationlanguagebarriers housingandfinancialandeducationalopportunitiesBuildingprevention throughpartnershipis along‐term processIt requiresacomprehensiveapproach withkeycontributionsfromlaw enforcementimmigrationagenciespublichealthofficialsandindividualsinvolved in socialserviceseducationandmediaIt alsocalls forbalancedfairandtransparentapproachestopartnershipsnotlimitedbythe biasesofparticulargatekeepers
InterventionsBased onthefindingsfromthisresearch interventionsshouldbetargetedatallthreeopportunitylevelsnotjustoneandsustained overtime One way to determine priority areas for intervention mightincludeidentifyingprotectiveresourceswiththegreatestpotential foraddressingmultipleriskfactorsCollaborationsbetween governmentcommunityandfamiliesandyouthcanthenbebuilttoenhancethesecapacitiesBasedonthecurrentstudypromisinginterventions in theSomali‐American communityinMinneapolis‐StPaulmightinclude1)buildingaweb‐basedresourceincluding informationandtrainingaboutviolent extremismrisksandsafeguardsforpracticalusebyyouthparentsandcommunityserviceproviders2) providingSomaliyouthandyoungadultswithopportunitiesforserviceintheircommunityandhumanitarianandpeaceworkthuscreatingalternativewaysforyouthtochanneltheir passionforSomaliaand3)providinglogistical supportandtrainingtoeldersand criticalvoicesin thecommunityandontheweb
Training ImplicationsProvidingcommunitieswithtrainingisonekeycomponentof enhancingfederalengagementwithandsupportforlocalcommunitiestargetedbyviolent extremistsTrainingscouldbeseen asonekeyway toinitiate strengthenandsustainprotective resourcesagainstviolent extremism andcouldbeinformed bythetheories andscientific evidenceregardingcommunity resilienceincludingtheDOVEmodelSpecifictrainingimplicationsbasedonthis studyrsquosfindings areasfollowsOnecommunity serviceprovidersand parentsexpressed the need for in‐personandorweb‐basedtrainings thatweregearedtowardsstrengtheningprotective resourcesTwocommunity‐basedproviders leaders and expertswouldlikelybemorereceptivetotrainings iftheywere conductedwiththeircollaborativeinputThreecommunitymembersexpressedtheneedfortrainingtobuildawarenessandunderstandingofculturalandcontextualdifferencesconcerning risksresilience andkeyissuesrelated toyouthfamilycommunityandcitizenship
Research Needs Thisstudywas afirststepAdditional researchis neededincommunities underthreattoexaminewhichactsofbuilding community resilience workwith whomunderwhatcircumstances andwhyOnewaytodothiswouldbe collaborativelytodeveloppilotandevaluate amultilevelcommunityresilience‐basedpreventionstrategyinMinneapolis‐StPaulbasedontheDOVEmodelAnotherwouldbetousetheDOVEmodelasabasisforassessingothercommunities targeted by violent extremists in theUnitedStatesand abroadsoas to refine the modelandapproachesthatcanreliably assesscommunitiesatriskand helptoinformandprioritizeinterventionstrategiesOtherresearchneedscouldbeaddressedby1)bringingtogetherpreventionexperts andcounterterrorism expertstoincorporate lessonslearnedfromprevention researchintoinitiatives tocounterviolentextremism2)identifyingreliableshort‐term indicatorsofviolentradicalizationandterroristrecruitment aswellascommunityandfamilyprotectiveresources 3)conductingassessmentsofprospective interventions todemonstratewhethertheyareacceptable appropriateandpracticallyachievable4)performing efficacystudiesofinterventions toexamineiftheyworkasintendedand5)investigatinghowtoadapt andapplyeffectiveinterventionsthathaveworkedunderonesetofcircumstancestonewcircumstances
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 31
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
REFERENCES
Alitolppa‐NiitamoA2004SomaliYouthintheContextofSchoolinginMetropolitanHelsinkiAFrameworkforAssessingVariabilityinEducationalPerformance Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 3081‐106
ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
Study Limitations Thisstudyhadmultiplelimitations Firstbecauseitusedpurposivesamplingitisnotnecessarilyrepresentativeof Somali‐AmericansinMinnesotalet alonein theUnitedStatesorglobalSomalidiasporaorofcourseotherMuslimAmericans Secondbecauseoflanguageandculturalissuesitis always possiblethatsome termsandmeanings were misunderstoodbystudyparticipantsortheresearchersThirdduetopersistentdivisionsfearsmistrustandintimidation inthecommunityitispossiblethatparticipantswerenot always forthcomingandhonestintheinterviewsMindfuloftheselimitationsfurtherpolicy‐orientedresearchthatusescommunitycollaboration andrigorous qualitativeandmixed methodologiestounderstandcommunities underthethreatof violentextremismisneeded
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 32
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
REFERENCES
Alitolppa‐NiitamoA2004SomaliYouthintheContextofSchoolinginMetropolitanHelsinkiAFrameworkforAssessingVariabilityinEducationalPerformance Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 3081‐106
ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
REFERENCES
Alitolppa‐NiitamoA2004SomaliYouthintheContextofSchoolinginMetropolitanHelsinkiAFrameworkforAssessingVariabilityinEducationalPerformance Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 3081‐106
ArchickKPBelkinCMBlnachardCEkandDEMix2011MuslimsinEuropePromotingIntegrationandCounteringExtremismACongressionalResearchServiceReport PreparedforMembers andCommittees ofCongress
Berns‐McGownR2008Redefiningldquodiasporardquo International JournalWinter1‐20
BodinPandBWiman2004Resilience and OtherStabilityConceptsinEcologyNotesonTheirOrigin ValidityandUsefulness ESS Bulletin 233ndash43
BriggsRCFieschiandHLownsbrough2006Bringingit HomeCommunity‐basedApproachestoCounter‐TerrorismLondonUKDemos
BRYCS2009Strengths‐BasedProgramming TheExampleofSomali RefugeeYouthWashingtonDC BridgingRefugeeYouthandChildrenrsquosServicesPublications
CharmazK 2006ConstructingGroundedTheoryAPracticalGuideThroughQualitative AnalysisLondonSage
CityofMinneapolis2009a Cedar‐Riverside Population ‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009bCedar‐Riverside Laborforce‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009cCedar‐RiversideIncome‐MinneapolisNeighborhoodProfile
CityofMinneapolis2009dCedar‐Riverside Poverty‐Minneapolis NeighborhoodProfile
ClarkeRVampNewmanGR2006 Outsmarting the terroristsNewYorkPraegerPublishers
Correa‐VelezISMGiffordand AGBarnett 2010Longing toBelongSocialInclusionandWellbeingamongYouthwithRefugeeBackgroundsinthe FirstThreeYearsin MelbourneAustralia Social Science amp Medicine 711399‐1408
DegniFSPoumlntinenandMMoumllsauml2006SomaliParentsrsquoExperiencesofBringingupChildreninFinlandExploringSocial‐CulturalChange withinMigrantHouseholds Forum Qualitative Social Research 71438‐5627
DicksonLouise(2011) Revivalof theCivicSpiritContradictions in Somali‐AmericanCitizenship Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali StudiesVol11Article13Availableathttpdigitalcommonsmacalesteredubildhaanvol11iss113
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 33
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ElliottA2009ldquoACalltoJihadAnswered in Americardquo The New York TimesJuly11
EllisBH HZMacDonaldAKLincolnandHJCabral2008MentalhealthofSomaliadolescentrefugeestheroleoftraumastress andperceiveddiscrimination Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 76184‐193
EllisBHMKia‐KeatingSAYusufALincolnandANur2007EthicalResearchinRefugeeCommunitiesandtheUseofCommunityParticipatory Methods Transcultural Psychiatry 44459‐481
FarahAO MMuchieandJGundel2007 Somalia Diaspora and State Reconstitution in the Horn of AfricaAdonisampAbbeyPublishers
FederalBureauofInvestigation2011MinneapolisCommunity
Fink‐NielsenMPHansen and NKleist2004RootsRightsandResponsibilities Place‐Making andRepatriationamongSomalisinDenmarkand Somaliland Vienna Journal of African Studies 725‐47
GermanM 2008EducationalPsychologistsPromotingtheEmotional WellbeingandResilienceofRefugee Parents Educational and Child Psychology 2591‐103
Goodstein L2011ldquoPoliceinLosAngelesStepUpEffortstoGainMuslimsrsquoTrustrdquo The New York TimesApril25
HammondLMAwadAIDaganePHansen CHorstK Menkhausetal2011 Cashand CompassionTheRoleof theSomaliDiaspora in ReliefDevelopmentandPeace‐buildingAReportofaStudy CommissionedbyUNDP Somalia
Heitritter DL1999SomaliFamilyStrength Workingin theCommunitiesAReportfromMeaningsofFamilyStrengthVoiced bySomali Immigrants ReachinganInductive UnderstandingFamily Social ScienceDepartmentUniversityof Minnesota
HirschJSHWardlowDJSmithandHPhinney2010 The Secret Love Marriage and HIVNashvilleTennessee Vanderbilt University Press
HirsiI2009aldquoCedar‐RiversideSeesDropin AssaultsBreak‐insrdquo Minnesota DailyFebruary3
HorganJ2009 Walking away from terrorism accounts of disengagement from radical and extremist movements London Routledge
HorstC2006ConnectedLivesSomalisinMinneapolis Family ResponsibilitiesandtheMigration Dreamsof RelativesGeneva
HorstC2006TransnationalNomadsHowSomalisCopewithRefugeeLifeintheDadaabCampsofKenyaOxfordNewYork
JaransonJ MJButcherLHalcoacutenDRJohnsonCRobertsonKSavik etal2004SomaliandOromoRefugeesCorrelatesofTortureandTraumaHistory American Journal of Public Health 94591‐598
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 34
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
KapteijnsLandAArman2008 EducatingImmigrantYouthin the UnitedStatesAn Explorationof theSomaliCase Bildhaan An International Journal of Somali Studies 418‐43
KasperE PFleckandLGardner2009EngagingSomaliYoungAdultsinCedar‐RiversideOpportunitiesforProgrammingand CollaborationHumphreyInstituteCHANCE Capstone
KusowAMandSRBjork2007FromMogadishutoDixonThe SomaliDiasporainaGlobalContextTrentonNJ TheRedSeaPressInc
LongstaffPHNJArmstrong K PerrinWMParkerandMAHidek 2010BuildingResilientCommunitiesAPreliminaryFrameworkforAssessmentHomeland SecurityAffairsVolVINo3
LutharSSandEZigler1991 VulnerabilityandCompetence AReviewofResearchonResilienceinChildhood American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 616‐22
McBrienJL2011TheImportanceofContextVietnameseSomaliandIranian RefugeeMothersDiscussTheirResettledLives andInvolvementinTheir ChildrensEducation Compare A Journal of Comparative and International Education 41175‐90
McDonoughD2011Remarksat theAdams CenterSterlingVirginiaMarch8th
MogadishuTimes2011ldquoHistoric ConferenceBetweenSomaliYouthandtheUSGovernmentin Minneapolisrdquo Mogadishu TimesJanuary22
MurhrTandSFriese 2004 Userrsquos Manual for ATLASti 50 2nd Edition BerlinScientificSoftware Development
NderuE2005SomaliFamiliesandParentInvolvement inSchools MinneapolisMNCenterforUrbanandRegionalAffairs(CURA)
NorrisFHSPStevensBPfefferbaumKFWycheandRLPfefferbaum2008CommunityResilienceasaMetaphorTheorySetofCapacities and Strategy for DisasterReadiness American Journal of Psychology 41127‐50
NurUIMDalalandKBaker2005BestPracticesSomali FamilyMentalHealthSupportProgramAProjectFundedbythe OntarioTrilliumFoundation
OrsquoConnellMETBoatandKE Warner(Eds)2009 Preventing mental emotional and behavioral disorders among young people Progress and possibilities WashingtonDCNationalAcademiesPress
OishiN2005 Women in Motion Globalization State Policies and Labor Migration in Asia PaloAltoCAStanfordUniversity Press
PattonMQ2002 Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods ThousandOaksCASage
RamadanT2009 Radical reform Islamic Ethics and LiberationNewYorkNYOxfordUniversityPress
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 35
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
RobertsonCLLHalconK SavikDJohnsonMSpringJButcherJWestermeyerandJJaranson2006SomaliandOromoRefugee WomenTraumaandAssociatedFactors Journal of Advanced Nursing 56577ndash587
RobillosMU2001SomaliCommunityNeeds AssessmentProjectMinneapolis MNCenter forUrban andRegionalAffairs(CURA)
SagemanM2004 Understanding Terror NetworksPhiladelphiaPAUniversityofPennsylvaniaPress
SagemanM2008 Leaderless JihadPhiladelphiaPA Universityof PennsylvaniaPress
SchanzerDCKurzmanEMoosa2010Anti‐TerrorLessonsofMuslim‐AmericansProjectSupportedbytheNationalInstituteofJusticeOfficeofJusticeProgramsUSDepartmentofJustice
SchensulSLNSaggurtiRSinghRKVermaBKNastasi PGMazumder2009MultilevelPerspectivesonCommunityInterventionAnExamplefrom anIndo‐USHIVPreventionProjectinMumbaiIndia American Journal of Community Psychology 43277‐91
Secretaryof StatefortheHomeDepartment 2011Preventstrategy UnitedKingdomRetrieved fromhttpwwwscribdcomdoc57597799Prevent‐Strategy‐2011
SportonDGValentineandKB Nielsen 2006 Post ConflictIdentitiesAffiliationsand PracticesofSomaliAsylumSeekerChildren Childrenrsquos Geographies 4203‐217
Stevenson HCandEGArrington2009RacialEthnic SocializationMediatesPerceivedRacismandtheRacialIdentityof African American AdolescentsCulturalDiversity amp EthnicMinority Psychology15161‐172
StraussAandJCorbin1998 Basics of Qualitative Research Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory 2ndedThousandOaks CASagePublicationsInc
Szapocznik J1997CulturalCompetencyand ProgramImplementationKeynoteAddresspresentedatThirdNationalTrainingConference onStrengtheningAmericasFamiliesWashingtonDC
Szapocznik JandJDCoatsworth1999AnEcodevelopmental FrameworkforOrganizingtheInfluences onDrugAbuseADevelopmentalModelofRiskandProtectionInM Glantzamp C Hartel(Eds) Drug abuse Origins amp interventions (pp331ndash366)WashingtonDCAmerican PsychologicalAssociation
TolanPHLDHanishMMMcKayandMHDickey2002EvaluatingProcessinChildandFamilyInterventionsAggression PreventionasanExample Journal of Family Psychology 16220‐236
UngarM2008ResilienceAcross Cultures British Journal of Social Work 38218ndash235
USDepartmentofHomelandSecurity2008 One Team OneMission Securing Our Homeland US Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2008ndash2013
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 36
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
ValentineGSportonDandNielsenKB2009Identities andBelongingAStudyofSomaliRefugeeand AsylumSeekersLiving inthe UKandDenmark Environment and Planning D Society and Space 27234‐250
WalshF2003Family Resilience AFrameworkforClinicalPractice Family Process 421‐18
WalshF2007TraumaticLossandMajorDisastersStrengtheningFamilyand CommunityResilience Family Process 46207‐227
WeineSM 2006TestimonyAfter CatastropheNarratingtheTraumasofPoliticalViolenceEvanston ILNorthwesternUniversityPress
WeineSM 2006AServicesApproachtoPreventiveMentalHealthforAdolescentRefugees (1R01MH076118‐01A2)NationalInstituteofMentalHealth
WeineSM AganiFCintronR2003InternationalandLocalDiscoursesonthe PublicMentalHealthCrisisinPost‐WarKosova Bulletin of the Royal Institute of Interfaith Studies Vol 5No1SpringSummer
WeineSM MBahromovandM Mirzoev2008Unprotected TajikMaleMigrantWorkersinMoscowatRiskforHIVAIDS Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 10461‐468
WeineSM ELevinL HakizimanaGDanweigh(inpress) Howpriorsocialecologiesshapefamilyresilience amongstrefugeefamiliesin resettlement inMinneapolisUngar(Ed) The Social Ecology of Resilience (Ch23)NewYorkNYSpringer
WeineSMJHorganCRobertsonSLoueAMohamedand SNoohr2009 CommunityandFamilyApproachestoCombatingtheRadicalizationofSomali‐AmericanRefugeeYouthandYoungAdultsAPsychosocialPerspective Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict 2181ndash200
WeineSM SFeethamYKulauzovicSBesic ALezicA MujagicJMuzurovicDSpahovicJRollandSScloveand IPavkovic 2008AMultiple‐family GroupAccess Intervention forRefugeeFamilieswith PTSD Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 34149‐64
WeineSM andSSiddiqui2009 FamilyDeterminantsof MinorityMentalHealthandWellnessInSLoueampMSajatovic(Eds)DeterminantsofMinorityMentalHealthandWellnessSpringer‐Verlag
WeineSMYHoffmanNWare TTugenbergLHakizimana GDahnweighMCurrieM Wagner and ELevin(underreview)ThrivingManagingandStrugglingA MixedMethodStudyofAdolescent AfricanRefugeesrsquoAdjustment
WeineSMWareNLezicA 2004AnEthnographicStudyofConvertingCulturalCapitalinTeenRefugeesandTheirFamilies fromBosnia‐Herzegovina Psychiatric Services 55923‐927
TheWhite House2010National SecurityStrategyMay 2010
TheWhite House2011Empowering LocalPartnersto PreventViolentExtremismintheUnitedStates August2011
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 37
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-
National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism A Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Center of Excellence
TheWhite House2011Strategic Implementation Plan forEmpoweringLocalPartnersto Prevent ViolentExtremisminthe UnitedStatesDecember2011
WilliamsCL1989PreventionProgramsforRefugeesAnInterface for MentalHealthandPublicHealth Journal of Primary Prevention 10167‐186
WorldHealthOrganization2004 Prevention of Mental Disorders Effective Interventions and Policy Options Summary ReportIncollaborationwiththeUniversitiesofNijmegen and Maastricht Prevention ResearchCentreGenevaWorldHealthOrganization
Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul 38
- Building Resilience to Violent Extremism Among Somali‐Americans in Minneapolis‐St Paul
-
- About This Report
- About START
- Citations
- Contents
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- KEY CONCEPTS
- METHOD
- RESULTS
-
- RISK FACTORS
-
- LEVEL 1 YOUTHrsquoS UNACCOUNTABLE TIMES AND UNOBSERVED SPACES
- LEVEL 2 PERCEIVED SOCIAL LEGITMACY OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM
- LEVEL 3 PRESENCE OF RECRUITERS OR ASSOCIATES
-
- PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- FAMILY AND YOUTH PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- COMMUNITY PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
- GOVERNMENT PROTECTIVE RESOURCES
-
- CONCLUSIONS
- REFERENCES
-