So many of us are hurting as the country is awash in anger and protests from the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Those of us who are Black are directly impacted by decades upon decades of systemic racism, and lost lives. Those of us who are not Black, we have a responsibility upon us to listen, learn, support, and fight for justice. We must collectively work to eradicate anti-Blackness and racism. You don’t have to be an activist. You don’t need to be in Congress. You don’t need to have a platform or a stage or a camera in front of you to do what we are responsible to do as humans in dismantling Anti-Black racism and start doing the work.

 “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.”

– Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ confronted racism 1400 years ago by giving one of the highest honors in Islam to a black man, Sayiddina Bilal (RA). He PBUH was the first to stand for #blacklivesmatter

In the words of Malcolm X,

“America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem.”

Islam is the most anti-racist and anti-prejudicial way of life. Islamic history testifies to the openness Muslims have shown towards people of different cultures and religions. Yet anti-black sentiment and racism is very much rampant within the Muslim communities i.e. Arab, South Asian, etc. communities. It’s time for all of us to step up, show our solidarity, educate ourselves and work on addressing prejudices in our hearts and homes, and support our Black brothers and sisters. Here’s where you can start –

1. Start within yourself

Start with your own prejudices. Check within yourself where your heart is inclined to. Is racism and colorism impacting you? Question your action and believes and confront them head on. Are you comfortable around Black people especially black men? Do you prefer lighter shade? Would you marry your kids to a black person? Get real and face our own biases. Sit with those thoughts and recognize your own baseless fears and discrimination. Then with that painful awareness, hold yourself accountable.

2. Be Anti-Racist

Let’s start with or home, family, circle of friends. We need to speak out on every single occasion including the jokes and off hand comments. That means needing to have those uncomfortable conversations at home, at work and not just on social media. Welcome the Black brothers and sisters in your masjid with open arms.

You cannot just be a sympathizer – call it out when someone is making racist remarks. Call it out with friends, family, and your kids. When you are silent you are complacent and in agreement.

Few months ago, we were at a dinner party. To my horror, some of the ladies started talking about how they’ll never accept their children marrying a black person because blah blah blah. I still remember the shock and how it took me a few minutes to believe my own ears. I tried explaining my perspective. When they refused to hear with an open mind, I stood up and left the party immediately telling the ladies I couldn’t be part of that conversation. Be vocal during such incidents. Calmly explain your perspective with and ask others to engage with an open mind. If they refuse, move on and get back to work.

3. Be Engaged

Read. Listen. Watch. The more you learn, the more you can empathize.

There are many lists of books about racism you can find on the internet. Commit to reading some of these Black Muslim literature and experiences in addition to other resources.

Listen and help amplify the black voices. Start watching some of these films to understand the history of slavery and systematic racism.

13th
Named after the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery in 1865, DuVernay’s Emmy-winning documentary follows history from slavery through to the mass incarceration of Black people in the United States. The documentary shows why many people have been calling for reform against police brutality for years.

Just Mercy (2019)
A powerful true story that follows young lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his battle for justice as he defends a man sentenced to death despite evidence proving his innocence.

I Am Not Your Negro (2016)
A journey into black history that connects the Civil Rights movement to #BlackLivesMatter. It questions black representation in Hollywood and beyond.

Fruitvale Station (2013)
This biographical drama tells the story of the 2009 death of Oscar Grant who was shot by a police officer called Johannes Mehserle in Oakland, California. This film won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award for US dramatic film at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013.

Malcolm X (1992)
This is an epic film and it takes us through Malcolm X’s career, incarceration, conversion, controversies and eventual assassination in 1965. A good one to watch so you know the historical background of racism in the US.

12 Years a Slave
Based on the real life and writings of Solomon Northrup, a free man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery from 1841-53.

American Son (2019)
A mother fights to be taken seriously at a Florida police department as she and her husband search for their missing Black son.

4. Give Recurring Donations

Donating money to a charity is an important way to stand with our Black brothers and Sisters. In addition to your usual local food banks, literacy groups, youth programs, Islamic Relief, Islamic research, you can donate to:

Equal Justice Initiative – EJI works to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment, and racial inequality.

Sapelo Square – Sapelo Square’s mission is to celebrate and analyze the experiences of Black Muslims in the United States to create new understandings of who they are, what they have done, and why that matters.

Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative – MuslimARC has been committed to providing racial justice education and resources to advance racial justice.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – NAACP is a civil rights organization with a mission to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

Black oppression is very real, and it is systemic. Don’t let this end as soon as the current unrest does.