(LOS ANGELES, CA – 4/4/2022) –The Los Angeles office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned the biased and Islamophobic statements made by Adjunct Professor Jamie McDonough at Santa Ana College (SAC).
In a recording of her Introduction to Psychology lecture discussing social roles, Professor McDonough is heard making derogatory and biased comments about the roles of men and women in the Muslim world.
Her statements include blanket generalizations that perpetuate anti-Muslim stereotypes and biases, including depicting Muslims—a global faith community of nearly two billion—as a “complete patriarchal society” in which “men dominate women.” Professor McDonough also falsely claims that a Muslim husband “can cheat and have mistresses.” She also goes into great detail about sweeping and offensive stereotypes she holds about the roles of men and women in Muslim-majority nations. Professor McDonough blames the COVID crisis in Muslim countries and India on people being “shoved in these slums.”
In a statement, CAIR-LA Civil Rights Attorney Dina Chehata said:
“Professor McDonough’s statements demonstrate a complete lack of familiarity with the history, beliefs, practices, and cultures of AMEMSA communities around the world. The offensive tropes used by Professor McDonough can have a deep, negative impact on Muslim students and on the view non-Muslim students have of their Muslim peers. Professor McDonough’s misrepresentations of Muslims being a barbaric, misogynistic monolith, without nuance or humanity, can impact Muslim students’ mental and physical health.
“Initiating an investigation is only the first step in addressing the damage caused by Professor McDonough’s statements. College and district officials must take immediate corrective action, including publicly apologizing for the statements, implementing training and procedures that ensure statements like these about Muslims are never repeated, reprimanding Professor McDonough, and ensuring she is trained about the practices, cultures, beliefs, history, and demographics of AMEMSA communities.
“Finally, Professor McDonough must publicly acknowledge the harm she has done and take steps with her students and in the community to ensure incidents such as these do not recur.
“Islamophobic rhetoric has no place on college campuses, where Muslim students are too often stigmatized and bullied because of their faith. CAIR-LA urges Santa Ana College to take serious action to condemn Professor McDonough’s remarks and ensure that the campus remains a safe and welcoming space for Muslim students.”
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com