There’s much to celebrate this IWD…
I attended and did a book reading at a great celebration for IWD yesterday at the Noor Cultural Centre called “Sisters’ Doing It For Themselves, Muslim Women Organizing”. There were fabulous performers there including Rosina Kazi from LAL, and Farheen Beg. Selma Al-Nadhir (the younger sister of Alwy, who was unjustly killed by the police this past Hallowe’en) spoke eloquently and courageously about the Justice for Alwy Campaign.
And there is much to struggle against too…
In contrast to this wonderful energy this week was Toronto Rob Ford’s racist remarks about “orientals” and his refusal to publicly apologize for these comments (he felt he was “complimenting” Asians). If you are as angry as I am about this, write him an e-mail at councillor_ford@toronto.ca telling him. I’m going to turn my anger into action tomorrow, as I join the Toronto IWD march and hand out “Rob Ford: Resign” stickers. You can also join the Facebook page decrying this boor’s racism.
This is how IWD has always been …a mixture of celebration and fighting back…