Dear Friend,

Having just spent MLK weekend co-convening an Emergency Summit for Gaza together with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, I am feeling even more inspired to act with even more urgency. Given the unfolding genocide in Gaza, an incredible group of people came together to demand an immediate, permanent ceasefire. We will share more about the summit [[link removed]] , but while there and in the presence of the incredible Reverend Jesse Jackson, I was reminded of something critical he shared. To save lives, we must talk to and listen to those who don't know about or do not understand what is happening in Gaza. And we must do so with kindness, patience, and love.

I know so many of you are already doing this. You're doing it in your interactions, in your organizations, with your neighbors, and online. But, on social media, it's very difficult to keep the conversation kind when the reality is anything but. For too many in our community, the information we share is being met with hatred, personal attacks, shadow bans, and even threats. And, if you have children navigating this issue online, you are likely concerned with their safety and well-being. They are seeing the horrific images of the devastation of Palestinian lives in Gaza in real-time and they are often met with hate-filled and dehumanizing rhetoric when they speak to the injustice they are seeing. There is no doubt that we've seen an increase in online hate–whether it's anti-Arab, antisemitic, or anti-Muslim. Online discourse is not often humanity at its best. It’s why in the middle of all this, we have organized a virtual forum on Friday, January 19, 2024 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET [[link removed]] on how to help our young people navigate online conversations—keeping them safe and hate-free—during this difficult time.

We are joining our colleagues at the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, along with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), American University, and Bedrock for a timely webinar focused on empowering parents and guardians to act against online hate. This collaborative effort brings together experts and organizations dedicated to fostering truth, understanding, and empathy in the face of rising online hate. It will ensure that parents, guardians, and caretakers understand their critical role in mitigating online hate, and equip them with the knowledge, resources, and skills to confidently address online hate. By participating in this webinar, you are joining a community of caregivers who, like you, seek to create a safer digital environment for young people.

I hope you can join us. Registration is required and you can do so at this link [[link removed]] .

Look forward to seeing you virtually on Friday.

Best,

Maya

Arab American Institute Foundation
1600 K Street, NW, Suite 601
Washington, DC 20006
United States
unsubscribe: [link removed]