Stamp Out Hate Letter Social

I'll be at Read/Write Library tomorrow, Saturday July 15th from 2PM - 4PM, sending out postcards and notes for our July action with Stamp Out Hate. I'll have free stickers and postcards and will supply postage for cards written at the social. Yes, even for the international address. $1.15 is a small price to tell someone how proud you are of them, how you support them, and how they make the world a better place. 

If you can't make the social, you can always write from home. Here's our July action:

This month, I’ve decided to tackle the hate mail problem a little more directly. I searched for “hate mail in the news” and was disheartened to get multiple hits. These people are dealing with hate mail right now. It affects them all differently; some are even channeling it into positive works. I think it’d be great if they got some good mail to encourage them, to wash away those bad feelings from checking the postbox.

First off, we have Zaman International. They are a non-profit organization committed to addressing the basic needs and empowerment of marginalized women and children. In May, they got a series of hateful letters alarming enough for them to call the FBI. That’s horrible. Send them a card or letter thanking them for their kindness and compassion. They are trying to make this world a better place and deserve our gratitude. If you have the means, they could also use your donations.

Write to them at:

Zaman International Administrative Offices

26091 Trowbridge

Inkster, MI 48141

Then there’s Özlem Cekic. She is one of Denmark’s first female Muslim MPs and is subject to a lot of vitriol. She’s taken confrontation of hate mail to a positive place and I find myself really inspired by her. I think you’ll be inspired to. Join me in sending her some accolades.

Write to her at:

Özlem Cekic
c / o Ubuntu
Købmagergade 43, 1st floor.
1150 Copenhagen K. DENMARK

Finally there is Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor. She is an assistant professor of African American Studies at Princeton University. Since her keynote speech at the Hampshire commencement in May, she has been hounded by hateful people; so much so that she has had to cancel appearances due to death threats. This is unacceptable. While a card expressing thanks and support is nowhere near enough, I will still be sending her one. I hope she gets many more than just mine.

Write to her at:

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

c/o Haymarket Books

P.O. Box 180165

Chicago, IL 60618

Comments

[Sarah F]

Will be participating. Just joined LWA and LOVE the Stamp Out Hate actions!

[Sharon]

Nice job, ladies!

[Limner]

I understand the man's fears. We should listen to him because he needs to be heard and understood, and his fears should be addressed. We should learn WHY he feels the way he does. It doesn't matter who we are, how progressive and enlightened we think we are, if someone from another culture enters our home it causes stress all around. We either bend over backward trying to make them feel welcome, or we make fools of ourselves worrying about what cues we might miss in communicating or trying to understand each other. Will they assimilate or must we change our ways to accommodate theirs? We have had such guests on our home, and did not exhale until they left. Our friendship did not withstand the month long visit.

Fear makes fools of us all. Just because Cezik is Muslim in a country founded by non-Muslims does not make her privileged. She lives in a country created by people who are different from her. Am I wrong in my understanding that she was a member of a socialist party? Socialism bothers people in America so why isn't it okay to bother people in other countries?

Marginalized women and children. How I long for a visit with you ladies. I'd love to discuss the woman who dared walk down a deserted street in a Saudi village (?) wearing a mini skirt and a cropped top, and how she is so "marginalized" she could be tried and convicted, and sentenced to what? Death by stoning? A woman marginalized in her "own country" like African American women have been marginalized and still are . . . I give you credit for having your fingers on the pulse of an arhythmic world that still keeps most women "in their place." It wasn't so long ago that American women got the vote, and they wanted it BEFORE Black men.

Soldier on. Keep us informed. I'll add my letters to the stream.