#afam200

http://rulaeid.tumblr.com/post/129389182709/we-decided-to-choose-the-hashtag-notjustwhites-a

http://rulaeid.tumblr.com/post/130527779689/anti-black-racism-in-the-muslim-community-muslim

http://rulaeid.tumblr.com/post/132843387464/the-end-of-racism-shaykh-omar-suleiman

http://rulaeid.tumblr.com/post/133307579729/we-chose-a-racial-justice-project-that-is-not

Based on everything Tamia and I did with out racial justice project I think the most important thing we can do is continuing the conversation. Not many people in the African American community seem to know about anti blackness in the Middle Eastern and Muslim communities. Opposite to that the Middle Eastern and Muslim communities know about it, but they don't want to talk about it. Conversations about race and and discrimination in religious centers is tough and it is especially tough in our community because we are also targeted minorities. The first thing that needs to be done is community need to be called out on the anti-blackness in order to address the problem. There also needs to be open discussions on the word abeed and how that is being thrown around the community. Once these topics are addressed it is essential to focus on MSA's on university campuses. Over all, I want to create change through safe spaces and discussion that are not readily available to the Middle Eastern and Muslim students when discussing the topic of anti-blackness. Religious centers don’t want to address the problem because they claim anti-blackness is not prevalent in our communities, but the reality is the opposite of these claims and the conversation cannot wait.

When we first started coming up with ideas for a project the first thing I thought of was the anti-blackness in my community. My entire life I have been taught not to discriminate or differentiate between any one regardless of where they are from or what they look like. The problem with all of that is when I would be present in social gatherings or attending talks at my local masques I began to notice the anti-blackness that is hidden by many. This project intended to get the ball rolling on Mason's campus in terms of anti-blackness in the Middle Eastern and Muslim communities. The problem I began to run into as I discussed this project with my friends is they did not even want to discuss it because they did not think it was a thing. I have a hard time understanding why we as a community do not want to look in and focus on the problems we are creating. There is a huge divide in the community and you will find that those who preach the most about equality and quote the Prophet pbuh turn around and act suspicious when a fellow Muslim that happens to have darker skin or be of African decent walks into a Mosque or local community center. Tamia and I split of the work pretty evenly in relation to who are friends were and how the topic related to us. Reaching out the the Muslim Student Association and other Muslim and Middle Eastern students on campus turned out very difficult as I mentioned before. Overall I learned a lot about myself and my community and how there is a true lack of progress.

Unfortunately, our third group member did not contribute much to our overall project. She was included in all emails and contacted but she did not help in contacting anyone, making the presentation, doing research, or presenting.

The Amazing Stevie Wonder uses his gift of music to detail the misrepresentation of black people in America since we were first brought over. This song touches upon how black people have benefitted American society and highlights how we have continually faced issues, hardships, and injustices throughout the years. Though this song was released in 2000, it still bears relevance to the Black Americans today in that we are still misrepresented and mistreated though in some ways it may look different than the ways of the past. 

“From back then until now were we still a mystery... We have been a misrepresented people.” 

Lyrics:

This system is based on ignorance and exploitation. One of the best defenses I have personally scene against this system is the improvement and rising respect for social sciences in the academic community. Studies in fields like sociology, psychology, and history have gained such a standing that well thought out and executed research carries weight. It is now about getting that information to the general public in a way that the reader can digest its context and feed their soul. Which leads me to the second part the reeducation of America is necessary to complete the full circle and lead this country on a road to recovery and compassion. The type of compassion that seems to be fading more and more due to rising fear and anxiety.

A common theme in my Introduction to African American Studies Class is a retelling of American History. It is a history that is all too real, but a history that has not been told. A common question routinely brought up in class is “Why was I not taught that in all my years of history classes?” First off let me start off by saying we know why, IT”S RACISM! When you look at most of the academic text books in circulation for elementary, middle, and high school we find that most of them are published in Texas. Which is a cause for concern because that can lead to biases just due to majority of the text coming from a singular source, the classes are catered to prepare students for standardize test that is primarily made by a Pearson. Now we have a body of student reading text books from a state with a long history of racial oppression for a standardized test that is from a singular source. The result is the lack of education, or misrepresentation, or even downright neglectfulness of black history.

My group came up with three appropriate and informed steps to address our racial justice issue that is as black women being comfortable in the skin that we are in. While on this journey we have figured out that not only do we have to work on self-acceptance but we have to reach out and encourage our sisters around us too. The first step is to acknowledge that there is a problem. Many times we as black women do not feel comfortable talking about our insecurities. Two very common reasons may be: 1) because we have to stick with the stereotype of being strong black women who never fold and should always be “fine” on the outside 2) because we are uncomfortable being uncomfortable. This means that we do not deal with issues because of the uneasiness and the discomfort that comes with not only dealing but also potentially pointing out that we ourselves are flawed. Step two is to address the problem. Once we know that there is a problem and then we acknowledge it, it is then time for us to do the work to address the problem and find ways to resolve the issue. Ways to address the problem could be gathering to have open discussions so that women are allowed to speak on their personal experiences and possible insecurities. These open discussions allow for safe spaces so that black women do not have to feel like they are being judged or all alone in their moment of vulnerability. Step three is to figure out solutions or ways to cope with the difficult moments that may arise during the process of self-acceptance. There is a saying that there will be good times and there will also be bad times. This is so true in every aspect of life. Working to love one’s self is a learning process that comes with the good, the bad, and the ugly, but the end result is so rewarding. The day that we finally learn to love and accept ourselves as black women, as Queens, naturally will be a day that will live in infamy.

Firstly, Mona and I have carefully worked to create a number of questions to facilitate during our conversation about the use of n-word. The conversation will be with people that identify with being black, and those that do not. The questions will range from asking if they use in their daily vocabulary, if they feel they can use it in their everyday vocabulary and what factors play into this, who specifically they think should be able to use it, and we will gauge an understanding of the word and it’s culture and impact from everyone around the room. These questions will get a clear understanding of how each different identity in the room understands and implements the word, and will create commentary on it’s usage in society. The second part will be the social media aspect. We will go on twitter and tumblr, and use the hashtag #whydoesn’tthisoffendyou, to discuss some findings, thoughts, and deeper understandings that the conversation brought. The hashtag will bring great relevance to the topic as it will help understand who should use it, and implores as to why it doesn’t offend some people while it does others.

An important aspect we will include is their geographical background. Not only does their own identity matter but the identity of the people around them also has a large impact of their usage of the word. We will find out who they feel more comfortable using the word around and why. The point of this group discussion is to create a safe space for them to discuss their feelings about the word. We will then educate them on the history just so that their conscience is involved in the process. We would hope that this could be a start to the end of the word, but we cannot guarantee that what we say will actually stick. Our hope would be that with this newfound knowledge and understanding they will choose not to use the word. We would like to believe that the lack of knowledge is the reason for using the word, and not that they know everything we are about to tell them and they still choose to use it. The ideal outcome would be for whoever in the group discussion that uses the word to stop, and spreads the information we provided around. The only way for our movement to be successful is for us to have more people on our side that can assist in informing the community. In order to see if they have a change of heart we will question them after the discussion.