Resource Center
The Struggle Against Anti-Black Racism
This short guide offers some resources for reflection on the racism that continues to plague our society and suggests some action items for those who seek to respond to the prophetic call for change.
The Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, called on us to think and reflect before acting. In many places in the Quran, we are called to be people of deep thought (ulu al albab, 3:190), to investigate (unduru, 10:101), and to reflect (yatadabbaru, 4:82). After serious reflection, we are called to act.
In the hadith of the Prophet, we are taught: “Whoever sees an evil, let them change it with their hand [i.e. using their authority]; and if they are not able to do so, then with their tongue; and if they are not able to do so, then with their heart — and that is the weakest of faith.”
CAIR is committed to combating anti-Black racism and has released a national law enforcement reform proposal to reallocate funding for policing towards social services among over-policed and underfunded communities of color.
Have suggestions for further resources? Send us a message at info@cair.houston.com
EDUCATE yourself and your community
Resources from Black Muslim thinkers, as well as others, on questions of Islam, racism, history, activism, and culture:
Islamic Perspectives on Racism
- “Racism from an Islamic Perspective”, with CAIR-MI Executive Director Imam DawudWalid [WATCH: 9 min]
- “Politically Speaking, Who Am I, And What Do I Want As An American Muslim?” Dr. Sherman Jackson, Lamppost Initiative [ARTICLE]
Organizing and Activism
- “Towards Sacred Activism: Guided Reading”, with Imam Dawud Walid [WATCH: 9 episodes, 1-3 min each]
- “Ancestral Knowledge and American Muslims: Rooting Cultural Resistance in Islam” Dr. Nimo M. Abdi, Dr. Muhammad Khalifa, Dr. James Wright, Dr. Omar Suleiman, Yaqeen Institute [ARTICLE]
- “Reform vs. Abolition: Breaking down what ‘defund the police’ actually means”, with CAIR National’s ‘Daily Dose’ [WATCH: 33 min]
- “Defund the police? Here’s what that really means”, The Washington Post [ARTICLE]
- “Know Your Rights While Protesting”, with CAIR-MI Staff Attorney Amy V. Doukoure [WATCH: 15 min]
- Grassroots updates from Riddle at Random Radio Show, [RADIO SHOW, 9am-11am daily]
Culture and Ideology of Racism
- “The Language of White Supremacy.” The Atlantic [ARTICLE]
- “History Relating to Muslims and “Blackness”, with Imam Dawud Walid [WATCH: 45 min]
- “Uncovering Systemic Racism: Understanding Colonialism, White Privilege, and Black Rights in America”, with Imam Dawud Walid and Dr. Ramon Grosfoguel [WATCH: 1hr 45 min]
- “Whiteness: The Meaning of a Racial, Social and Legal Construct”, Emory University [WATCH: 1hr 55 min]
Social Effects of Racism
- Incarceration: “American Race, History, and Prison.” Vera [REPORT]
- Sentencing: “Racial Disparities in Sentencing.” ACLU [REPORT]
- Gender: “Racism and Sexism Combine to Shortchange Working Black Women” The Center for American Progress [ARTICLE]
- Public Health: “Racism is killing black people. It’s sickening them too.” The Washington Post [ARTICLE]
- Mental Health: “The Effects of Racism on Mental Health.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America [WATCH: 1hr 21min]
- Education: “School Segregation in America is as bad as it was in the 1960s.” Newsweek [ARTICLE]
- Education: “America’s Schools are profoundly unequal.” NPR [ARTICLE]
- Employment and Economic Opportunity: “Systematic Inequality and Economic Opportunity.” The Center for American Progress [REPORT]
- Housing: “For Black Americans, it’s not a housing crisis, it’s a constant condition.” Mother Jones [ARTICLE]
- Environment: “I’m a black climate expert. Racism derails our efforts to save the planet.” The Washington Post [ARTICLE]
Anti-Black Racism
- “Racism within Muslim Walls and How We Can Do Better” with Safiya Morgan and Imam Dawud Walid [WATCH: 8 min]
- “Anti-blackness in the Arab World and the Violence that doesn’t get a hashtag” Scene Arabia [ARTICLE]
READ MORE
- Sapelo Square: A (Virtual) Public Square for Black Muslims and on the experience of being Black and Muslim
- CAIR’s Ending Police Violence Policy Reform
TAKE ACTION
Practical action-items in the struggle against anti-Black racism in the US:
- Report incidents of anti-Black discrimination and Islamophobia to CAIR-Houston
- Request legal support from CAIR-Houston
- Contact your member of member of Congress to support the “Justice in Policing Act”
- Contact your city representatives and demand that they defund from police using this template
- Host an educational workshop or fundraiser to support Believer’s Bailout
- Present a khutbah or talk with these talking points from Believer’s Bailout