Lori Peek, Ph.D. Department of Sociology and

Center for Disaster and Risk Analysis Colorado State University

A desire to help

A desire to help A desire to give

A desire to help A desire to give A surge in patriotism

A desire to help A desire to give A surge in patriotism A need to grieve A need to stand together in solidarity

1. Any sudden or violent reaction; specifically, a strong political or social reaction resulting from fear or resentment of a movement, candidate, ethnic group, etc.

2. An excessive and adverse societal and governmental reaction to a political or ideological crisis against a group or groups.

Unprecedented surge in anti-Muslim bias in the U.S.

Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report

Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report

Source: Council on American-Islamic Relations

Why does backlash occur after certain crises, but not after others? Why are only some individuals and groups singled out for

mistreatment, while others are left alone? What can the public and political response to 9/11 teach us about

the processes that set blame assignment and backlash into motion?

Post-9/11 BacklashPost-9/11 Backlash

Post-9/11 BacklashPost-9/11 Backlash

Intentional Acts of Mass Violence

Post-9/11 BacklashPost-9/11 Backlash

Intentional Acts of Mass Violence

Intentional Acts of Mass Violence

Magnitude of Losses Endured

Post-9/11 BacklashPost-9/11 Backlash

• 2,973 dead

• Widespread psychological trauma

• $80-$100 billion financial losses

• 75,000-100,000 jobs lost

• Thousands injured

Pre-9/11 Anti-Muslim Social and Political

Context

Intentional Acts of Mass Violence

Magnitude of Losses Endured

Post-9/11 BacklashPost-9/11 Backlash

Persistently negative media representations

Persistently negative media representations

Persistently negative media representations Actual global increase in terrorist violence

Persistently negative media representations Actual global increase in terrorist violence Conflict in the Middle East

Pre-9/11 Anti-Muslim Social and Political

Context

Intentional Acts of Mass Violence

Magnitude of Losses Endured

Muslims as Dangerous and

Threatening Outsiders

Post-9/11 BacklashPost-9/11 Backlash

Pre-9/11 Anti-Muslim Social and Political

Context

Intentional Acts of Mass Violence

Magnitude of Losses Endured

Muslims as Dangerous and

Threatening Outsiders

Post-9/11 BacklashPost-9/11 Backlash

34% of Americans believe that Islam encourages violence

Nearly 60% of Americans believe that Muslims are prone to violent extremism

39% of Americans admit to feeling “some prejudice” against Muslims

22% of Americans would not want Muslims as neighbors

Pre-9/11 Anti-Muslim Social and Political

Context

Intentional Acts of Mass Violence

Magnitude of Losses Endured

Muslims as Dangerous and

Threatening Outsiders

Identifiability of the Muslim Population

Post-9/11 BacklashPost-9/11 Backlash

Pre-9/11 Anti-Muslim Social and Political

Context

Intentional Acts of Mass Violence

Magnitude of Losses Endured

Muslims as Dangerous and

Threatening OutsidersIdentifiability of the Muslim Population

Relative Powerlessness of

Muslims

Post-9/11 BacklashPost-9/11 Backlash

Pre-9/11 Anti-Muslim Social and Political

Context

Intentional Acts of Mass Violence

Magnitude of Losses Endured

Muslims as Dangerous and

Threatening OutsidersIdentifiability of the Muslim Population

Relative Powerlessness of

Muslims

Post-9/11 BacklashPost-9/11 Backlash

Pre-9/11 Anti-Muslim Social and Political

Context

Intentional Acts of Mass Violence

Magnitude of Losses Endured

Muslims as Dangerous and

Threatening OutsidersIdentifiability of the Muslim Population

Relative Powerlessness of

Muslims

Post-9/11 BacklashPost-9/11 Backlash

Gallup Polls of Americans: % who have a negative view of Islam

14% (2001) 34% (2002) 46% (2006) 53% (2009)

Lori Peek970-491-6777Lori.Peek@colostate.edu