15 Episodes of The West Wing We Need Now More Than Ever

3.0 Isaac and Ishmael

"It couldn’t have less to do with Islamic men and women of faith, of whom there are millions upon millions. Muslims defend this country in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp, National Guard, police and fire departments."

In the wake of September 11, 2001, before their third season aired, the show produced an extra episode that dealt with the issue of terrorism, and that pushed back the original season premiere date by a week. All proceeds were donated, and the episode was produced quickly, but with purpose.

In the episode, as the White House is on lockdown due to a possible terrorist threat, a group of students are stuck inside with Josh, who was due to meet with them. The discussion of terrorism and Islam comes up, as the students believe that “Arabs and Islamics” are after them and Josh educates them on why that is not the truth.

It’s a lesson in understanding, in what truly was the issue at hand, and it’s a message that seems heavier and more important than ever as we face Muslim bans and Islamaphobia at alarming rates in this country. (Had this episode premiered in 2016 or 2017 rather than after 9/11, I can’t help but wonder how different the reaction would have been.)

Targeting groups based on religion and misunderstanding, hateful, generalized and baseless attacks on cultures out of fear are never okay. It’s a lesson we need now. Desperately. Understand the enemy – and who is not the enemy.