GRAY 1

Alexis Gray
ENC 1102
March 14, 2016
Research Dossier
Topic: How Islamophobia is Demonstrated on Different Social Media Platforms
Introduction
In response to the terrorist attacks on 9/11, resentment has cultivated
tremendously towards the Muslim community within the United States. Proceeding from
the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York City, the United States
Military declared war on Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively. Due to the brutality,
duration, and tragedy associated with both of these wars, American hatred towards the
Muslim community has steadily increased over the past two decades. Therefore, I believe
it is imperative to acknowledge as a society the extent of feelings of animosity that
surrounds the topic of Islamophobia. I am conducting my research on this specific topic
to illustrate the contrasting views of the Muslim and American nationalities and the
effects of its actions. In doing so, I will be examining the four distinct platforms: Twitter,
Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
Defined by the Oxford dictionaries, Islamphobia is the dislike of or prejudice
against Islam or Muslims, especially as a political force. While conducting my research, I
have found that it is hard to distinguish between credible opinion based writing and that
of which is discredited because the claim was made on a fallacy. My research is not
constricted only to previous posts and claims but revolves heavily on the 2016
Presidential Race. The declarations made throughout candidates speeches, especially
Donald Trumps, have provoked the increase of media coverage regarding the issue of
Islamophobia. In doing so, I would like to concentrate a portion of my research paper on
how the presidential debate has affected the use of social media networking, regarding
Islamophobia, i.e. reactions of Muslim community and US voters.
According to John Swales CARS model, the research I will be conducting is
important to society because it provides further insight on a field in which little is quite
known, social networking. When compared to more well established topics of discuss
such as persuasion through newspaper or television, the Internet is modern and rapidly
evolving. The Internets capabilities are so profound that one person or a small group of
people has the ability to influence the world globally and instantaneously. Therefore,
modern society has a tendency to forget that individuals need to use the Internet in an
ethical and responsible manner. The information I have compiled in my annotated
bibliography allows my audience to have a basic understanding of what Islamophobia is,
how it has so far affected US society, and how Islamophobia is being circulated within
different social networking sites.

2 [Type text]
In light of the recent terrorist attacks on Brussels, I would like to section off a
portion of my research to this event alone. I would like to follow the initial reactions of
the event and watch as it develops into deeper conversation within the news.
Additionally, I would like to observe how individuals on social media will react; for
example, will people on Facebook change the background of their profile pictures to the
flag of Brussels to show support to Brussels civilians. I believe that this event, although
very tragic, will help support my claim of how Islamophobia is increasing as a result of
social media outlets.
Research Proposal
Purpose:
My major is Health Sciences. I am interested in writing about the topic of Islamophobia
in America because I believe the fear and hatred the American people have created is
negatively impacting our society. The racism is further dividing our nation and
implanting negative thoughts within societies youngest generations/ using specific
terrorist group events to create generalization about a population in society.
Preliminary Thesis/Argument
The acts of war that have been committed by Islamic terrorist groups within the past
decade and a half, have cultivated a generalized fear and racial bias against Muslims
within American Society. How has social networking sites increasing the circulation of
Islamophobia within American society.
Intended audience:
I believe that education administrators would benefit most from reading my research
paper because they have the ability to present both sides of the argument. Not necessarily
persuading students whether it is right or wrong to be racist, but rather, exposing them
to world views that may differ from their parents. Psychologically, children are most

GRAY 3
likely to associate with the views and religion of their parents, this allows for
exposure. Additionally, voters who intend to cast a ballot for the 2016 Presidential
Election.
Types of research areas:
Being that my major is Health Sciences, I will most likely collect my evidence from
scholarly articles and field research studies. However, the use of the Internet will give me
greater insight as to which age group the topic is most prevalent in conversation.
Kinds of sources:
I will be using scholarly articles, individual posts from differing social networking sites,
and surveys. If time permits, I would like to create and conduct a small survey asking
students of UCF their opinion regarding the subject matter.
Graphs or charts:
I will frequently be using the Pew Research Center for different statistical information
regarding the use of social media, age groups associated with different networking sites,
and views of Muslim descent.
Documentation Style:
I will be using APA because it is the official format used for publication within the
discipline of Health Sciences.

Research Map
Research Questions

4 [Type text]
1.How is Islamophobia demonstrated in different social media
platforms?
2.How does the circulation of racially discriminatory materials affect
the Muslim community in the United States?
3.What platform of social media is most likely to circulate racially
discriminatory materials?
4. How is the 2016 Presidential Race provoking Islamophobia?
5. Will the terrorist attacks on Brussels increase Islamophobia? And in
what ways.
Keywords:
Islamophobia, racial discrimination (Muslim) (Social Media),
Islamophobia in the media, social effects (Islamophobia) (United
States), Twitter, Facebook(Islamic discrimination) (Rally around the
flag, Memes (Islamophobia), Trump, Brussels (Terrorist attacks)
Kinds of research:
I will be conducting mostly Internet (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) and
library (UCF Database) research.
Time table
FEBRUARY
Sunday

16

23

* = research (done throughout), Conferences = TBA

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday Thursday
Friday

10 R.
Map
Revised
DUE!!
Work
17
Work
24
RR

11
Library
4-6 pm
Work
18
Informative
Speech
Work
25
Work

5 R. Map
Peer Rev.
12 RR
Work

19
Work
26
Work

Saturday

7 Library
Course
14 RR
Work

8*

20
Work

21
Research
Work

22*
RR

27
Work

28
Research

29
Bio Test:2

13
Work

15*

GRAY 5
Work

MARCH
Sunday

Monday

Work

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

RR
Paper
Trail

Saturday
1*

2
SPC Exam
RR
S

3
Work
P
B
Work

4
Work
R
R
Work

5
Disney
Work
I
E
Work

6
Draft
Work
N
A

7
Draft
Work
G
K

8
Draft

15*
Puerto
Rico
ENC
Peer
Review
Workshop
Work
22*

9
Draft

10
Draft

11
Puerto
Rico

12
Puerto Rico

13
Puerto
Rico

14
Puerto
Rico
ENC
Workshop
Draft
Work

16

17
Work

18
Work

19
Work

20
Work

23
RR/Final
Draft Due
30
ENC
Workshop
draft

24
Work

25
Work

26
Work

27
Work

21 Rhe.
Analysis
DUE!
RR
Work
28
RR
Work

APRIL
Sunday

6
Bio Test 3

!!

29*

31
ENC Peer
Review
Work
Monday

7
ENC

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1
Work

2 Kamis
Bday
Work

3
Work

4
TED Talk
Work

8
Work

9
Work

10
Work

11
ENC

5
Persuasive
Speech
Work
12
ENC peer

6 [Type text]

13
ENC
workshop
draft 2
DEPPaper/prez
20
ENC- Self
assessment
Bio Test 4

Final
draft due
Work
14
Work

15
Work

16
Work

17
Work

21 ENC
peer
review
Work

22 ENC
Final
Draft
Work

23
Work

24
Work

Workshop
draft 1
Work
18 Wksp
draft 3
Work

review
workshop

25
ENC
Extra
Credit
TED
student
lounge

26

19
ENC Peer
review

Last Day
of Classes
Work
27
Study Day

28
Work

29
Bio Final
Exam

30
Work

Annotated Bibliography
Krieg, Greggory. "Muslim Americans: Political Climate Worse than
after 9/11 - CNNPolitics.com." CNN. Cable News Network, 21 Nov.
2015. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.
I will utilize the information presented on this website to express
the reactions of persons in US culture after the ISIS terrorist
attacks on Paris. The website is embedded with an interview of
two Muslim officials who work at a mosque in Saint Petersburg,
Florida. The interview is conducted by Don Lemon on CNN
tonight and depicts the initial reactions of the hostile voicemail
left by an individual from the community. Additionally, the two
men expand on how the rising animosity in the US is affecting
the lives of Muslim Americans.
Sun, Lena. "American Muslim Doctors Feel Greater Scrutiny,
Even Patients Suspicions." Washington Post. The Washington
Post, 11 Dec. 2015. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.

GRAY 7
This website provides insight on how Islamophobia is affecting
Muslim Americans in the workplace. It uses statistical
information, personal instances, and how Islamophobia is
affecting the way in which Muslim American doctors practice
medicine. Very useful and insightful article on how Islamophobia
is afflicting not only the country as a whole but also on the local
level.
Reed, Acacia. "American Muslims Since 9/11." Wilson Center.
2011. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
The information retrieved from this site is from The Wilson
Center. The center was chartered by congress as the official
memorial to President Woodrow Wilson. The center conducts
independent non-partisan research on international and national
topics, also utilizes open dialogue. The website presents a
research question conducted on the subject of Islamophobia by
an intern at The Wilson Center and its results. The information
presented gives greater insight on Mosque Goers.
Ledbetter, Quincy. "'Dangerous Logic': The Psychology behind
Bias and Islamophobia in America." Mashable. 10 Feb. 2016.
Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
This website contains critical information regarding my subject,
Islamophobia, because it expresses the psychology behind bias
and Islamphobia in America. The information is presented in the
form of a video. The video contains the thoughts and reasoning
for the production of Islamophobia expressed by Dr. Alli Mattu,
psychologist. I will use this knowledge in my paper to create a
basic understand of persons personal bias from a psychology
viewpoint. The video is posted on Mashable, a leading global
media company that adapts the way they present their
information for the digital generation.
Wallace, K. (2016, March 22). How to talk to kids about tragic events. Retrieved
March 23, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/16/health/talking-to-kidstragic-events-advice-parents/
This article proves valuable in my research study because it explains why parents
should be more open with their children about information regarding terrorist
attacks. The article contains the views and advice from a variety of pediatric
psychiatrist in the NYC area. Psychiatrists believe that parents are doing more
harm by withholding information from their children.

8 [Type text]
Shoichet, C. (2016, March 23). Brussels attack: 2 brothers ID'd as suicide
bombers. Retrieved March 22, 2016, from
http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/23/europe/brussels-investigation/
This article is from CNN and gives the most information about the Brussels
terrorist attacks so far. The article reveals the identities and background and
criminal information about two out of the three alleged bombers. The journalist
from CNN attempt to link information from the Brussels attack to that of Paris,
France. This article is just a preliminary source until further information about the
event and those convicted is given to the general public.
J. (2015, December 21). Public Bomb Scare Prank Compilation. Retrieved March
22, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAqgXhblr-w
This video was produced by a group known on Youtube as Jalals. The video is a
compilation of fake bomb scenes in public places. The video shows the fake
terrorist and real reactions to the events taking place. This video serves as
important evidence to support my claims. A group has thought it was funny to
impersonate terrorist and act out attacks in a public setting. The most surprising
part was the comments, some negative but mostly positive-video deemed funny.
Biggerstaff, S. (2016). "Like most reasonable people, I hate all Muslims, except
the ones I've met, who seem fine." Retrieved March 23, 2016, from
https://twitter.com/Seanchuckle/status/712811855710961664
This is an individual post by a man named Sean Biggerstaff. He indicated in his
tweet that he hates Muslims, except the ones hes meet. This exemplifies how US
culture generalizes about a specific nationality-thinking every Muslim is a
terrorist- instead of looking at the each individual uniquely.
Islamic Memes. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2016, from
https://www.facebook.com/SmileIsSunnah/
This Facebook page was created strictly for the exchange of Islamic memes. The
page has 48,000 followers. The page gives examples of different Islamic memes
circulated Facebook, mostly racist.
Bila, J. (2016). Still can't get over Obama doing The Wave at that baseball game
after the Brussels attacks. Would be hysterical if it wasn't so disturbing. Retrieved
March 23, 2016, https://twitter.com/JedediahBila/status/712797049394176002
Individual Twitter post that expresses the disgust a woman is feeling seeing
Obama sitting next to Castro at the Cuba/America baseball game, hours after the
Brussels attacks.

GRAY 9
F. (2015, December 07). Trump Explains Why He Wants to Ban All Muslims
from Entering the U.S. Retrieved March 23, 2016, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NnhFB2G-go
YouTube video clip of Donald Trump explaining how he wants to Ban All
Muslims from entering the U.S.. The video clip is taken from Fox News Insider.
Examples of how GOP frontrunner, Donald Trump, is exemplifying Muslim hate.
Scarborough, J. (2016, March 23). Ted Cruzs harebrained, harmful policy
towards American Muslims. Retrieved March 23, 2016, from
https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2016/03/23/ted-cruzsharebrained-harmful-policy-towards-american-muslims/?
utm_content=buffer8ee61
The Washington Post depicts GOP candidate, Ted Cruz, policy plan for American
Muslims after the Brussels attack on Tuesday, March 21. He believes as
Americas future president, the best plan to contain Islamic terrorist attacks is to
lay siege on neighborhood populated by worshipers of Islam. This is an example
of how not only Trump is affecting the 2016 Presidential election but other
candidates are rallying around the flag to defend democracy.