Support Families of Victims of Hate Crime

The tragic and senseless murder of two Portland men who were protecting young Muslim women from verbal and potentially physical harassment has shocked the nation. The casualties: two men are dead and one severely injured standing up to a white supremacist.

This happened in my former home, Portland, Oregon: a city known for progressive values, but not-so-great track record in mending racial divides. The emboldening of white supremacist views in the Rose City is a cause for alarm.

Sadly, however, the increasing crescendo of racial animosity is not new. Communities of color have confronted this plague for sometime, decrying our lack of safety in Portland streets and institutions.

Community organizations, public agencies, elected officials and community members have been forming coalitions to confront hatred and bigotry. There is even more reason now to confront the scourge of white supremacy that is taking a stronger foothold in Oregon.

Here's an excerpt from a statement about the hate-motivated murder by the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, and endorsed by a host of local organizations and community members:

"This horrific violence requires us to reflect deeply on root causes, and is not an excuse to further militarize our communities. We believe in a world where everyone lives without fear of discrimination, exclusion or harm. May more Oregonians take action to interrupt hate and stand for love. In these terrible moments, we are reminded of our fragile humanity and the need to build institutions around the inherent worth and dignity of all people, institutions that function as systems of care."

If you are looking for a way to support the families of victims, consider supporting the Muslim Educational Trust's (MET) crowdfunding campaign. Within five hours of its launch, the campaign met its original $60,000 goal, so has since increased the goal to $90,000.

According to MET President and Co-Founder Wajdi Said:

"We wish to respond to hate with love, to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action.

Although this campaign is being organized by Muslims, we welcome people of all faiths to contribute. No amount of money will bring back the victims, but we do hope to lessen their burden in some way and show our heartfelt appreciation for their heroic acts against Islamophobia and bigotry.

Let's all stand together against hate."

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