Are we really “Boston Strong”? I was thinking about the reading from week three, specifically Professor Asani’s chapter in Infidels of Love. And I wanted to think of something somewhat focused on activism, erradicting oppression and especially, mainstream notions of what it means to be Muslim. Asani talks of People with a Muslim identity in America. They are othered to the point that being Muslim on a national stage can be used to discredit people like Barack Obama. Below is an Idea I had for a bumper sticker to be plastered on the T. The above picture is of an advertisement that actually exists on the T. I thought not only would such a project be a peaceful protest, but I also thought it would be a refreshing contrast to the using depictions of Muslims in the country. The above advertisement makes Islam seem like a foreign thing. So much that there are signs on public transportation to give people an education of what it even is. I wanted to put all into the context of the Boston marathon bombing. I remember being on the train the next morning and seeing the fear people had, but even more I saw the fear every, even remotely middle eastern looking person. There was no trust in them because of their assumed religious affiliation. People reacted with certainty that this was motivated by Islamic values. The islamaphobia was rampant. At the same time the Mosque in Roxbury supports a plethora of youth and individuals in arguably, the most resource poor neighborhood in the Boston metro area.
Really when someone doesn’t know after that its up to other viewers that they will help,
so here it takes place.