Islamophobia under discussion

From presidential campaigns to college campuses, anti-Muslim sentiment is cropping up all over. This week Skidmore is holding a discussion and brainstorming session for anyone concerned about the issue, Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 6:30 p.m. in Tisch Learning Center, room 204.

The “Islamophobia” event is  co-sponsored by Skidmore’s spiritual life office and the student club Hayat.  Parker Diggory, spiritual life director, says there will be “sharing of experiences—for example, what have you noticed recently in your home communities, what stereotypes bother you the most, and how is the climate at Skidmore?” She also plans to encourage the sharing of useful news outlets, groups that work for tolerance, educational resources to combat stereotypes, and skills for confronting bias in conversation. She says, “I'll draw on my previous work in interfaith organizing to help brainstorm some actions that participants might take.”

Emphasizing that the gathering is not for Muslims only, she points to “the benefits for any community when we work to be more proactively just and kind to all. This event is part of larger efforts to improve religious literacy and understanding for all groups on campus.”