This hashtag tells stories of Muslim stereotyping post-9/11

A twitter hashtag called #afterseptember11 details how 9/11 continues to affect a generation of people from minority communities. The hashtag has gained traction online and is an alternative view of how young people from immigrant communities has experienced life after the terrorist attacks on September 11 2001.

Some of the stories are touching insights into how the cultural fabric has changed, others are more explicit stories of first hand racism. From personal stories to more general observations about how the view of Muslims shifted from people, the hashtag has created an alternate view of the mainstream reporting of the tragedy’s anniversary.

The hashtag was created by 19-year-old Chicago-based Jess Talwar. She tells Dazed: "I started this hashtag not to belittle the events of September 11. I recognise the tragedy and remember the moment I heard the news as a little kindergartener. The trauma and repercussions of this day have not been confined to 9/11".

Talwar’s timeline has been flooded with messages of support for opening up a dialogue surrounding the minority experiences of many brown people after September 11. She has also come under criticism from those who believe that she is critical of deflecting attention from the victims of the attacks.

#AfterSeptember11 has also brought to light some of the hate crimes that took place in America post 9/11 and lists the names of Muslims who dies in the attacks such as Michael Baksh, Boyie Mohammed, and Abdul K.Chowdhury. It is estimated that there were 1200 Muslim and Arab victims overall. As Talwar states, "The Arab/Desi/Muslim communities are not some non-American group of outsider, and we have felt the effect too, for 14 years."