Against the Ban? 5 Things You Can Do Now

Dear Friends,

For 25 years, Tanenbaum has worked for a world where differences are respected. And that means we ask the hard questions…

• Is your America the country that turns away human beings—fleeing a death sentence in their home countries?
• Is your America the country that says only persecuted Christians deserve protection?
• Is your America the country that says every person who follows Islam is a suspected terrorist?
• Is your America the country that protects freedom of religion—but only for some people?

If you answered no… here are 5 actions you can take…

1. INSIST ON THE FACTS

• USE Tanenbaum Fact Sheets
  • Diversity in Islam
  • September 11th and Terrorism
  • Five Ways to Counter Extremists on Social Media
• Get facts on refugees, displaced persons, and Syrians
  • Refugees Worldwide: Figures at a Glance
  • Refugees in America
  • Myths & Facts – Syrian Refugees in the U.S.
• Stay informed
  • Sign up for our weekly “Religion in the News” updates

2. HELP TEACHERS TEACH THE FACTS

• Share Tanenbaum’s Combating Extremism.
• Explaining Extremism and Addressing Islamophobia: A guide for parents and educators.
• The Backlash Against Teaching about Islam: Why teaching about religions (including Islam) is good for students.

3. SHARE AND LISTEN WITH THOSE WHO DIFFER

• Identify your own biases. What prevents you from hearing your neighbor who differs from you?
• Respectfully share an article that moves you with someone who disagrees with you. Let them know you wanted to share it— because it was important to you. And openly listen when they respond.

4. BE AN ALLY FOR JUSTICE AND INCLUSION

• Stand up for Persecuted Christians – and also for Muslims, Sikhs, Jews, Druse, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists, Yazidis, Bahai’i and people of all religions.
• Say out loud that good people can have different views.
• Call or email politicians who oppose the ban to thank them.
  • Democrat: Chuck Schumer (Senate NY)
  • Republican: Susan Collins (Senate Maine)
• Use Social Media and be a voice for justice and inclusion (share good ideas—including this email!)

5. BE HEARD—ADD YOUR VOICE

• Oppose the “Executive Order Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Entry into the United States by Foreign Nationals” – and urge President Trump to rescind it!
  • The White House: email or call 202-456-1111
  • Your Senators (email and phone)
  • Your Congressional Representatives (email and phone)
  • Tweet @WhiteHouse and @RealDonaldTrump

• Sign a Moveon.org petition that opposes the Muslim ban—in the language that resonates for you (some are more partisan than others). Here are some popular petitions currently circulating:
  • Do Not Stop Refugee Resettlement
  • Lift the Cap on the US Refugee Quota to Immediately Resettle Syrians Fleeing War…
  • Syrian Refugee Resettlement In The United States

From my vantage point, these five actions help to combat extremism—because extremism is not only random, unexpected acts of violence. It’s also the hatred, exclusion and venom that breeds violence.

Stand with us for the country we love and our right to be different, respected and safe. We can do that…if each of us works together.

Yours,

Joyce S. Dubensky
CEO