Bridgeport, Connecticut is the scene for discrimination and abuse of power, enabled by our country's post-9/11 fear and loathing of Muslims. After a black Muslim woman was subjected to sexual harassment at the University of Bridgeport and her reports to professors and the dean fell on deaf ears, she turned to the police. And in return, she was paid a visit by the FBI, after the allegation was made that she was a terrorist.
Although at first I wondered if it's just a lack of exposure and fear that leads to situations like these, reading about it for a few days, it seems more like abuse of power to me. Not necessarily even by the FBI, who bear some responsibility to investigate reports. Just abuse of the state of affairs, where we are in this country, where it's that easy to screw with someone you don't like.
So the story goes, that this graduate student tried every university official she could report it to, after being subjected to sexual advances, harassment and obscenity.
She first reported him in April 2009 to several teachers as well as the provost, none of whom reported the incident to the university's president, Neil Salonen, according to the complaint. After reporting the incident to Salonen, against the urging of some professors, she had a meeting with the college's dean who, according to the complaint, told her that his hands were tied and asked what she suggested he do.
Interesting, eh? You're the guy who runs a university and you are powerless to do anything about blatant and disgusting sexual harassment going on in your community. So this grad student takes what seems like the logical next step to me, when faced with this willfully impotent university: she files a police report.
Ahmad was later approached by university security directors, who asked whether she had reported sexual harassment, according to the complaint.
One of the directors told her, "We have allegations that have been made against you and if you don't come with us, we will contact the FBI," according to the complaint.
It's hard for me to imagine, but I suppose this is the new reality for Muslims in this country. She did meet with two FBI agents, and through them found out about the rumors being spread that she was a terrorist. A most shameful form of retaliation from the student who had harassed her. Worse still, the article mentions no consequences for him or the university. Instead, Balayla Ahmad was dismissed from the university in June of 2009 -- unable to attend class, threatened by continued harassment and by possible federal prosecution, in the end hounded out of the school.
I can't tell from the article what happened between then and now, but this past week she filed a lawsuit, a discrimination complaint against the school, and I hope justice is served.