01/30/2017
As we have heard of the murder of five people, with many other injured, at a Mosque in Quebec, our heart hurts. We must stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters. We must grieve with them, we must listen to them, and above all, we must fight fiercely against the hatred directed towards them.
We often look back at history and say “But how could people have just stood by and let this happen!” Let us not be THOSE people, the ones who remained silent as our Muslim brothers and sisters, refugees and others were persecuted. For inaction in times of persecution is just as bad as the actions of the persecutor. For days I have struggled to find the words to express my thoughts without it being a profanity laden rant. For days I have struggled to explain the pain of seeing the hatred in this world. But now is not the time for passive observation. Now is the time of action. And much of it.
“But I live in Canada, what can I really do about Trump’s ban?” – A LOT. This is not just about Trump’s Ban. This is about Islamophobia and Racism. These are just some concrete steps we can all take to help fight Islamophobia.
1- DONATE to groups having a concrete and immediate impact on assisting those affected by Trump’s Muslim Ban. The American Civil Liberties Union has been on the ground in US International Airports assisting people who are being detained or deported. They have lawyers assisting in completing emergency applications. The International Refugee Assistance Project put out a call for lawyers who could immediately go to airports and assist refugees. If anyone knows of any other such organisations, please share widely!
https://refugeerights.org/
https://www.aclu.org/
2- WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL MP and hold Justin Trudeau & the Canadian government accountable. Yesterday, Justin Trudeau tweeted saying that Canadians will welcome those fleeing persecution, terror and war. It is wonderful to hear such a positive message from our PM in contrast to the hateful rhetoric of other world leaders. However, these are only words without much action. Words to make us feel good about being Canadian. What these words don’t explain is how Canada will take in all these refugees when very recently, our government quietly announced that it would be SIGNIFICANTLY decreasing the number of refugees it will accept.
This also does not explain how Canada will assist those impacted by the Trump Muslim Ban with things like the Safe Third Country Agreement (which prevents asylum seekers traveling the US from claiming refugee status in Canada unless they meet certain exceptions).
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has done the hard work for you and drafted a letter to send to your local MP with a concrete list of steps that the Canadian Government should take. CONTACT YOUR MP AND SPREAD THE WORD TO OTHERS TO DO THE SAME. https://ccla.org/contact-your-mp-re-us-travel-ban/
3- FIGHT ISLAMOPHOBIA. We all have a responsibility to fight islamophobia. Identify and deal with your own internal biases. Address Islamophobia in your families and communities. When you hear your family, friends, coworkers, that man/woman-who-works-at-that-restaurant-you-go-to-lunch-for-every-Friday say something Islamophobic, speak up. Reach out to your Muslim friends and communities and support them.
4- BE AN ALLY NOT AN AS***LE. We’re a passionate bunch of people. But sometimes in our passion to want to help, we take over. When y’all show up, tell us that you are here to help, but instead of standing arm in arm, you push us aside and take over, that’s called being an as***le, not an ally. It’s an uncomfortable truth we must face within ourselves. White people and rich folk have a tendency to want to play the saviour. LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE SUFFERING and don’t take over their script – then you’ll truly be an ally.
5- SHOW UP. We all need to do more than just like, share and retweet. If there is a protest and you can attend, please do. If you see a racist and bigoted tweet/ post, report it and tell your network to do the same. If a petition needs signing, sign. If you can donate your time, your money, your resources, do it. If you can help spread awareness, do it. If you witness someone targeting someone because of their race, religion, nationality, or any other reason, stand in solidarity with them. Next time you’re on the subway, walking down the street, at a restaurant, throwing some axes for fun, out with your pals and you see or hear someone being harassed, don’t just sit silently or walk by pretending you didn’t hear. I know y’all heard that old white man calling me a dirty immigrant w***e.
6- USE YOUR RESOURCES. If you are an employer, assist by hiring new refugees and immigrants. If you’re a writer, write those passionate verses that ignite our inner revolutionaries. If you’ve got skills that could help refugees, use them. If you’re a member of the media, use your reach to promote unity and raise awareness. Do whatever you can. You may think you have nothing to offer, but every voice and every singular act that promotes peace, love and unity has an immeasurable impact.
7- REMAIN ENGAGED. I get it, it’s tiring. It’s emotionally draining and mentally exhausting to try to stay informed and keep on fighting. Take the necessary time for your mental and physical health, take a break to laugh madly, adventure wildly, live passionately and love ferociously, but then come back. Every voice matters. And while you live your life, remain aware and tackle islamophobia and racism at every turn.
8- EDUCATE YOURSELF AND OTHERS. Don’t just rely on your Facebook and twitter newsfeeds as your only source of information. Educate yourself. Actively seek out information. Follow activists and grassroots organisations. Sign up for newsletters. Don't let what's trending be the only news you read.
Share widely. Add to this list. Tell me what else I can do. Send links my way. Tell me about protests. Help keep me educated and engaged. Together we will fight the hatred and we will win.
It's time for us all to awaken our inner revolutionaries.
For more information, Please feel free to contact our offices.
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