Abstract
This paper explores the ‘spaces’ left over for Muslims to be ‘radical’ and the management of minority identities in light of their securitization in the UK. The paper considers a key site of this management of ‘radical’ identities: the university. The university works as prototypical case because of the ways in student activism and identity are a priori drawn together but also because of the prevalence of higher education among terrorists in the UK and USA. As a result, universities have been specifically targeted in counterterrorism and counter-radicalization measures. The paper reveals through student narratives how security discourses of ‘radicalization’ constrain their activism, university experience and identities. Yet, alternative identity constructions emerge that work against the moderate/ radical binary. These narratives show how incomplete the process is of incorporating Muslims into the nation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1952-1968 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Ethnic and Racial Studies |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 11 |
Early online date | 30 May 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2 Sept 2015 |
Keywords
- Counter-terrorism
- British Politics
- Universities
- Islam
- Gender
- Citizenship
- radicalization
- activism