Alison Kysia

Alison Kysia

Alison Kysia is the project director of “Islamophobia: a people’s history teaching guide” at Teaching for Change. She taught United States, world, and Islamic history in an urban community college and English language to adult immigrants. Alison holds a B.A. in Race, Class, and Gender Studies and an M.A. in History. In addition to being an educator and curriculum developer, she is also an avid potter who is creating a three-part public art installation called “Islamophobia: A dhikr in clay.”

All Content By This Author
Eduardo Relero Apple Store in Madrid | Zinn Education Project

Congo, Coltan, and Cell Phones: A People’s History

Resource Types: Teaching Activities (Free)
Page Length: 28
Teaching Activity. By Alison Kysia. 28 pages.
In this lesson, students learn about the colonial history of Congo, debate responsibility for crimes against humanity, and investigate the connection, past and present, between the exploitation of natural resources and violence.
A People’s History of Muslims in the United States (Article) | Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History
Categories: Articles, Democracy & Citizenship, Laws & Citizen Rights

A People’s History of Muslims in the United States

Resource Types: Articles
Article. By Alison Kysia. 2014. If We Knew Our History Series. Although the dominant media—including our schools’ curriculum—perpetuate stereotypes, history shows Muslims in the Americas have fought for social justice since the 15th century.
A People’s History of Muslims in the United States (Article) | Zinn Education Project: Teaching People's History

A People’s History of Muslims in the United States: What Textbooks and the Media Miss

Resource Types: Articles
By Alison Kysia
When I teach history related to Islam or Muslims in the United States, I begin by asking students what names they associate with these terms. The list is consistent year after year: Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad, and Muhammad Ali.

All of these individuals have affected U.S. history in significant ways. If we take a step back and look at the messages these figures communicate about Muslims in U.S. history, we see a story dominated by men and by the Nation of Islam. Although important, focusing solely on these stories leaves us with a skewed view of Muslims in U.S. history. Even these examples are a stretch. Most of my students reference 9/11 as the first time they heard of Muslims.

The Green Feather Movement

Resource Types: Articles
Article. By Alison Kysia. 2013.
History of a little-known student resistance movement against McCarthyism and censorship.