Twitter recently has added a new feature, where you can mute any account that doesn't have verified profile information, like a photo, phone number or email address. This feature is particularly helpful for activists on Twitter. If you've ever tweeted about social justice issues, GamerGate, Trump, or any other political issues, you'd likely have come … Continue reading Social Justice Activism in the Digital Space
Tag: Racism
Organizing Against Islamophobia & the US Travel Ban
I attended an event organized by my community, Parkdale's Legal Services at the local library. The event focused on addressing Islamophobia in Canada, the province, and the community, as well as the impact of the travel ban on refugees and immigrants. The event could have used more Muslim voices on the panel. There was only … Continue reading Organizing Against Islamophobia & the US Travel Ban
#NoMuslimBan: A letter to my Muslim Brothers and Sisters
Alsalam alaikum, How have you been? I know you've been suffering for a long time now. But this past weekend, we took a hard blow. We all did. Not one of us, all of us. It doesn't matter if you are an Arab Muslim, an African Muslim, or a convert Muslim. Hearing that we are … Continue reading #NoMuslimBan: A letter to my Muslim Brothers and Sisters
Do Not Silence Women of Colour
Through years and years of silencing, I learned that people's hidden biases will attempt to silence the voices of women of colour. Society has conditioned them to believe that our voices do not fall under dominant hegemonic cultural expectations, and therefore aren't worthy of being heard. I chose this image of Black Muslim sister, Blair … Continue reading Do Not Silence Women of Colour
Five Ways to Advocate for Justice in Education
This post was originally published on Teaching Tolerance. “We live in a time of crisis,” warned Dr. Ruha Benjamin in the beginning of her opening keynote at the 2016 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference. Benjamin, an assistant professor in the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University and author of People’s … Continue reading Five Ways to Advocate for Justice in Education
The Toughest Lessons Learned: Conversations on Race
“In a sense the limitations of Orientalism are, as I said earlier, the limitations that follow upon disregarding, essentializing, denuding the humanity of another culture, people, or geographical region.” ~ Edward Said The first time I read Edward Said's "Orientalism" was when I was doing my Master's in Literature, back in 2008. I remember signing … Continue reading The Toughest Lessons Learned: Conversations on Race
Show Solidarity with Words & Actions
This post was originally published on José Vilson's blog. “Your silence will not protect you” Audre Lorde calls for our silence to be transformed into language and action in her 1977 speech. But if our silence will not protect us, then why do we hold on to it for comfort? Why do revert to silence … Continue reading Show Solidarity with Words & Actions
Stop Tone-Policing
“My response to racism is anger. I have lived with that anger, ignoring it, feeding upon it, learning to use it before it laid my visions to waste, for most of my life. Once I did it in silence, afraid of the weight. My fear of anger taught me nothing. Your fear of that anger … Continue reading Stop Tone-Policing
Where are my people at?
I used to participate in Twitter chats often. My favourites were #whatisschool & #edchat, a few others too but those mainly. They weren't really my favourite so much as that they happened at the right time. When I used to be go on these chats, most people are generally friendly & kind. I am still … Continue reading Where are my people at?
Apologize for being you
I read this article last night and it literally made me sick on so many levels. The ignorance of people and racist ideologies are one thing to deal with outside of school, but when your classmates, teachers, your entire school is racist that's another thing. A student recited the US pledge of allegiance in Arabic, … Continue reading Apologize for being you