#justiceforshaima Following what happened to Trayvon Martin - I would hope people realize that this can happen to any of us. It could be because of a hoodie. It could be because of a traditional hijab. It could be because a guy chooses to wear skinny jeans, or a woman chooses to keep her hair closely cropped. I would hope people understand that hate crimes go beyond race.
People might think me naive for latching onto issues that hit the media, but I would hope people would learn to stop being so cynical towards the power of a reblog or the sharing of a link. I am not saying that everyone needs to feel compelled to do something every time a bit of news comes out. What I am saying is what I have always said: there is no harm in awareness of an issue that greatly effects our society today. And sure, for some people a reblog/reshare is all someone needs to feel a good deed has been done - but that same reblog/reshare can emotionally connect with someone else who just might do the research, who just might speak out and do something.
I am reblogging not just for justice for Shaima and Trayvon. I am reblogging because I want to be closer to justice within society. I don’t know if I will be alive for that day, but I certainly don’t want to be the Debbie Downer who does not at least say something.
I was taught not to rock the boat, and I can understand the passiveness one might have. It’s a bit of a culture thing - but it is also because of Western society that has enforced this view. The Alawadi family dismissed the first hate letter as a prank, but I do believe their family relates to many minorities who don’t want to cause anymore damage to the situation. It is much like the kid who is bullied but doesn’t want their mother telling the principal. It brings attention we don’t want to deal with, when all we really want to do is blend in. But as we’ve learned, staying silent and staying “politically-correct” does not solve any problems and can sometimes lead to unfavorable outcomes.
Thankfully for me, the apple does not fall too far from the tree. Though my father might wish that I try not to voice opinions that might be too heated, I am like the younger version of him. I want a different world - and if I can help bring awareness through a reblog/reshare than I will do it. I may not be as influential as Angelina Jolie - but at least I know that this post is going to be out there on Tumblr, FB, and Twitter - and that is a starting point to making things happen. I just hope others are sharing their stories, Shaima’s story, and Trayvon’s story
(original image via faineemae: Where is her movement?)
