Logo

‘This American Life: Which One of These Is Not Like the Others?’

Jan 13, 2008  •  Post A Comment

“Which One of These Is Not Like the Others?” aired Dec. 15, 2006. Although the producers of “This American Life” knew it was a strong show, they were floored by the level of response the segment got. “Ira [Glass, executive producer] said he had never seen a radio story get that many letters,” said reporter Alix Spiegel. “We got hundreds and hundreds of letters the first week, and an equal number the second week.”

The story, about a Muslim family’s disintegration in the aftermath of 9/11, honed in on a cherished American ideal: that America welcomes the assimilated immigrant.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the children of this well-integrated Muslim family were relentlessly harassed at school, and the parents came to two very different conclusions. “The main thing that tears the parents apart is that [the mother] Sari thinks it’s an aberration and doesn’t represent anything bigger about America, and the father feels this is what America is and wants to move the family to a Muslim country,” Ms. Spiegel said.

“Which One of These Is Not Like the

Others?” was part of the “This American Life” producers’ effort to investigate misunderstandings between east and west. The original intent was to create a trio of stories related to the theme. When Ms. Spiegel’s first story idea didn’t pan out, she again tapped all the organizations she had already contacted to find another one. A contact at the American Civil Liberties Union told her a story of a family that, after 9/11, had essentially been hounded out of town.

Ms. Spiegel tracked down the family through its lawyer and then had to overcome Sari’s wariness of the press. She was particularly adamant that her family not be seen as victims, said Ms. Spiegel. “Sari said she would talk about what happened to her family, but we had to disguise the names,” she said. “She didn’t want anyone in their new community to know that they had had these problems.”

Ms. Spiegel fact-checked the details of the story with the U.S. Justice Department, which had become involved with the case after a series of incidents at the daughter’s school. She also contacted the school, through the principal and the child’s former teacher, both of whom declined to be interviewed due to the ongoing civil lawsuit.

“With the Justice Department corroborating the facts, I felt comfortable going forward,” said Ms. Spiegel. She spent a full day with the family, conducting interviews, and wrote the piece, which was edited by Mr. Glass and senior producer Julie Snyder.

So far, there’s been no happy ending to the family’s plight, said Ms. Spiegel. Sari and her husband are still separated, their views of America so divergent as to brook no reconciliation. They’re still recovering from the situation, said Ms. Spiegel.

From the perspective of a year later, Ms. Spiegel also understands why “Which One of These Is Not Like the Others?” has had such a strong impact. “It’s about America,” she said, “and what America will be in a post-9/11 world.”
Credits: Alix Spiegel, reporter; Diane Cook, producer; Julie Snyder, senior producer; Ira Glass, executive producer; produced by Chicago Public Radio; distributed by Public Radio International

13 Comments

  1. Thank you for the story. I know about this family’s tragic situation. There were so very few community people who came to Sari’s defense. Even people she knew who were sympathetic turned their backs. They were afraid of being ostrasized as well. “All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for enough good people to do nothing.”

  2. My sister and niece are the subjects of this story and I cannot tell you how greatly moved and grateful I am that her story was able to be told. However, I am extremely disappointed in our legal system and our civil rights groups for not helping to resolve this matter in a timely manner. The battle still continues…

  3. Thanks for posting this. Would be intrested to read more or possibly please contact me by email thank you!

  4. Thanks for posting this. Would be intrested to read more or possibly please contact me by email thank you!

  5. Thanks for posting this. Would be intrested to read more or possibly please contact me by email thank you!

  6. if every editor wrote like you believe me the world would be a better place! this was an excellent read expecting more!

  7. if every editor wrote like you believe me the world would be a better place! this was an excellent read expecting more!

  8. Thanks for posting this. Would be intrested to read more or possibly please contact me by email thank you!

  9. Thanks for posting this. Would be intrested to read more or possibly please contact me by email thank you!

  10. Super site, and niec text.

  11. Incredibly helpful info here. BTW, I believe I read a extremely similar article on another blog nowadays, in fact i’m pretty sure. I ‘ll check it out and let you know, maybe they copied your content, who knows.

  12. Great blog!! You should start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned 🙂

  13. You make blogging look like a walk in the park! I’ve been trying to blog daily but I just cant find writing material.. you’re an inspiration to me and i’m sure many others!

Leave a Reply to Oil Change Cancel Reply

Email (will not be published)