The Expressions Narrative Project is a platform dedicated to the voices and perspectives of Muslim women, from activists and artists to professors and political representatives. This blog showcases personal narratives expressing Muslim women's thoughts, opinions, and lived experiences.
Each year since 2015, women of color have constituted a greater share of eligible voters. Women of color, especially Black women, are frequently called on to “save democracy” by doing the heavy labor of organizing and moving their communities to action. But too often, their efforts are unacknowledged or underappreciated, and rarely are they regarded as strategists, leaders, and innovators.
Read MoreOne of the stories that most connected with me during the protests in my country was the reality of Palestine. Both street protests imploded almost at the same time, allowing me to understand and put together both situations as the same fight for social change and justice. Corruption has ruled in both Colombia and Israel, with opportunities growing for those who already have enough instead of space opening for needy communities.
Read MoreHaving lived only one and a half years in the United States, I was trying to fit in and learn everything about this new country. I was watching the debates with many of my classmates, listening to what these two candidates were interested in and what their campaigns were about. I was the Black, Muslim, immigrant girl in that room trying to understand what was going on.
Read MorePresidential elections are always highlighted in our education and receive lots of media exposure leading up to election season. What I did not know is that there are so many more important roles that directly impact my community and me at the local level.
Read MoreThe mosque was already doing caucus trainings, but I felt like they were not being widely attended by women. What would help the women see their collective power, and what would bring them all together in a non-intimidating environment?
Read MoreHere lies the intersection of guns and COVID-19. Americans operate from a sense of fear and scarcity. We will fight for resources. In order to survive, we will hurt each other. Meanwhile, countries we deem “third-world” or “developing” operate from a sense of abundance, a sense of community and family — practicing sharing and caring for one another.
Read MoreThere are a number of pressing concerns and issues weighing on all of us at this time, and as we maintain our distance and work to protect each other, I want to make sure we don’t forget about the 2020 Census. The census decides how billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated each year.
Read MoreAs young people we might feel that people underestimate us sometimes or don’t pay us attention, but every voice has value. Civic engagement is advocating and fighting for change — and believing in yourself without giving up until your voice is heard.
Read MoreAs a visibly Black Muslim, I am often sticking out like a sore thumb, and I feel that being represented via statistics is powerful in numerous ways. The landscape of what it means to be American is changing, and this census can be the one to validate that truth.
Read MoreA few weeks ago, I stood up at Brooklyn Park’s City Council meeting and addressed a room full of elected officials, city staff, and fellow residents about a discriminatory and limiting catering policy at the Community Activity Center (CAC). CAC has several banquet facilities to host weddings, social events, and family gatherings. Except that it only allows you to select a caterer from their “preferred catering” list.
Read MoreThis past election cycle was the first time I was old enough to vote in a presidential election. It was also the first time I started to think about the meaning of “civic engagement,” and I’ve come to realize that it extends far beyond casting a vote every four years.
Read MoreWhy would anyone not vote? Voting is the opportunity for me to ensure, at least to my capacity, who the leaders of our city, state, and nation will be- to support community leaders who I think will bring the best policies forward and address issues that matter and pertain to me using values I share.
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