Silence isn’t an option: so what can you do?
LaunchGood stands together and passes the mic to our Black brothers and sisters in forging a future built upon the justice that our religion promotes.
LaunchGood is about amplifying people’s voices. Voices to nurture good in their homes, communities, and countries. Voices to be tools for change and benefit for this global Ummah.
For years we’ve worked on becoming the platform you all stand upon to inspire the future.
There is no LaunchGood without the Ummah, and the Ummah is not at its best if it is unable to feel the pain of each other.
This is why silence isn’t an option.
When part of the Ummah is in pain, we all are. The Messenger of Allah, (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.”
We should all be hurting
LaunchGood stands together and passes the mic to our Black brothers and sisters in forging a future built upon the justice that our religion promotes.
So what can you do?
Here are 5 steps to take from Ustadh Arthur Richards, LaunchGood’s Digital Marketing Specialist
1. Now is the time to read up on Black suffering in America
Books like Dr. Sherman Jackson’s, Islam and the Blackamerican or Netflix originals like “When they see us” are essential in understanding what it means to be Black in America. The more you learn, the more you can empathize.
2. It’s time to be honest and to have difficult conversations
Many live in homes where the divide is becoming increasingly apparent. Help those on the other side to understand the racial disparities in our country. “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.” (16:125)
3. Reach out to the Black men and women around you
It’s easy with everything going on to neglect the people that are closest to you. Now is the time to bring awareness and to be self-aware of how easy it is to forget the very people we aim to help. A simple text message saying, “I’m here for you.” is enough to break the ice.
4. Take the time out to support campaigns that uplift the black community
Support Stand With Minneapolis: We Can’t Breathe or assist the children of incarcerated Muslims.
5. Don’t let this end as soon as the unrest does
Black oppression is very real, and it is systemic. It has existed in America since before the slave ships set sail, and it will continue well into the future. When the unrest dies down, we will begin to go back to “normal.” However, that normal only exists for those outside of the black community.
Most importantly, understand that while these issues seem impossible to face alone, we are always amongst the Angels and our Creator, who is closer to us than our own selves. We have a Prophetic model of equity and justice to follow, and divine mandates to bring out the perfection in all of us.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), said: “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, we help the oppressed, but how do we help an oppressor?” The Prophet said, “By restraining him or preventing him from committing injustice, for that is how you support him.”
We can do this together.
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