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dvrk_academic's review
5.0
Randa Abdel-Fattah's latest book is one of the most provocative, captivating and important books I have read this year. This book was recommended to me by my Master's supervisor because she believed it may be relevant for my research. She was right. Abdel-Fattah analyses not only her interviews that she conducts with her own participants, but also academics published works including the likes of Scott Poynting, Christina Ho and Moreton-Robinson. Her book is also riddled with contemporary examples and situations of Islamophobia including the Christchurch Massacre, the Punchbowl Boys issue and day to day encounters of Australian Muslims. One of the key points Abdel-Fattah makes is the influence or lack thereof of politics on the life of the Youth. Youth are aware, and that is made clear in this book throughout her interviews, yet they are constantly undermined and spoken down to. Being involved in politics looks different from person to person and that is highlighted throughout the book. The book also mainly highlights the detrimental impact the words of influential people can have on policies, procedures, the media and the general public. This is not a book to be missed - Abdel-Fattah leaves no stone unturned.
itsaba's review
informative
reflective
This book looks at the experience of students, scattered across Sydney, who have grown up in the post 9/11 climate. Abdul-Fatteh strikes a good balance in allowing space for the perspective and insights of the young people she interviewed, while complimenting this with the broader political and cultural setting within Australia.
I think it's important to note that while Abdul-Fatteh acknowledges that a Muslim identity is diverse in its lived experience, her main focus is on the impact and perspectives of Arab Muslims. She discusses Australia's countering violent extremism policy which aims to target terrorist suspects and "pre-suspects" - demonstrating that this conflates all Muslims into a suspect terrorist grouping. She also touches on how Australia's role in the war on terror is to reinforce itself as a nation with its existing hierarchies, and therefore anti-radicalisation laws are discriminately applied for this self-preservation (she highlights how the BDS movement and other forms of legitimate, peaceful protest are penalised within this framework).
The book speaks not only on Islamophobia, but racism and colonialism more broadly - how these systems are reinforced through surveillance, the media, our polices and education, and the specific impact this has on young people’s identities and freedom of speech.
I often felt that it could be condensed and that it was quite repetitive, but this might just be because of my familiarity with the context, and other readers might benefit from the detail. Otherwise, it’s an important and relevant book that I'd recommend to anyone within the country.
carlytenille's review
challenging
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Colonisation, Islamophobia, Religious bigotry, Hate crime, Cultural appropriation, Racism, and Violence
nezzaaa's review
5.0
rtc once I've processed everything
All I can say now is that every Australian MUST read this book. No excuses.
"I’m not afraid of terrorism. I’m afraid of being accused of being a terrorist."
All I can say now is that every Australian MUST read this book. No excuses.
"I’m not afraid of terrorism. I’m afraid of being accused of being a terrorist."
b_arizona's review
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.75
A great read! Should be a mandatory read for all Australian’s.
jasgrace's review
5.0
As someone who keeps up to date on the "war on terror", i was suprised by how much I learnt, particularly the daily impacts it is having on youth and the policy implications in schools. A must read for all Australians, especially teachers!