Dear Educator,

In the post-9/11 era, it has been seen that while our schools are geared towards teaching tolerance and respect for others, there has been a rise in incidents of intolerance, bullying, other bias activities against children of certain religious, ethnic background.

We truly understand that our schools are probably best in the world with respect to teaching tolerance and understanding. However, as an overwhelming thrust from the media to create bias and stereotypes against people, as well as at times intolerances that are not checked in home environment have led to isolated, yet concerning incidents where students have acted against the American values. This program is to try and educate the educators with respect to identifying, evaluating, and responding to bias actions and bullying actions in schools.

Moreover, the Pakistani American community has suffered the most amongst all communities in the US. A survey conducted by Florida-based Bendixen & Associates performed for Amnesty International found that Pakistani Americans reported higher levels of discrimination and government targeting than Americans of Arab descent. About 31 percent of Pakistani Americans said they have experienced discrimination in their schools, workplaces or neighborhoods over the past three years as opposed to twenty-one percent of Arab Americans.

This is of grave concern to us all only as this is Un-American, but also because this community was neither in anyway directly or indirectly involved with the September 11th event. None of the 19 perpetrators were of Pakistani origin or directly or indirectly linked to Pakistan.

It is generally believed that this community has been targeted because of the color of skin or resemblance or being generalized as Arab-Americans based on lack of knowledge. We do strongly feel that discriminating against Arab Americans is also completely wrong and action of 19 people should not put an active positive community hostage. It has been suggested at times, that the discrimination or the actions have been taken based on religious reasons versus other causes.

We at PAKPAC are providing some of this information to the educators, to understand and be a part of stopping this process or controlling this process in a much organized way.

We have created an educational program that would allow you to get
Information regarding some of the following aspects: Our education program also includes information about Muslims in America.

A) Hajj and Eid ul Azha

B ) Ramadan and Eid

C) Pakistan Introduction

D) Pakistani American Introduction

E) Role of Pakistani Americans in the US Society

We would be available for specific questions with respect to some cultural, religious, other experiences that the educators may have specific questions for. We can be reached at info@pakpac.net

Common Misconceptions and Stereotypes about Pakistani Americans