MAKESHA LAUN
October 12, 2021 | 0 COMMENTS |I write in encouragement and support of The Salaam Network of Louisville, KY, for the 2020 Atlantic Renewal Awards.
The work that TSN does has never been more important than it is now as the United States, along with much of the rest of the world, shifts toward right-wing extremism, nationalism, and demagoguery. Bringing people together who wouldn’t normally interface with one another for the express purpose of listening to, and learning about each other, goes a long way toward dispelling prejudices and opening hearts and minds to those who are different from us. Building and fostering a broad grassroots community among people from all different faiths and backgrounds may very well be the most effective resource we have against the ignorance, fear, and hatred that is driving so many disturbing trends around the world.
When it comes to educating people about, and exposing them to, Muslims and Islamic thought and culture, TSN is serving a need that has not been filled elsewhere in the community. Between the Muslim ban and the decades of negative imagery and stereotyping, the fear of “the Other” and its accompanying discrimination has been especially harsh on this group.
Finally, I’d add that TSN has done much of the requisite hard work that is at the foundation of any successful movement for change: we’ve already built a formidable and diverse network of thoughtful people. As such, TSN is well-positioned to leverage its existing network for further community action. I hope you’ll agree that the importance of this work cannot be overstated.
Makesha Laun, Advanced Application Engineer
December 4, 2019
