- What is The Campaign to TAKE ON HATE?
- Why was TAKE ON HATE created?
- What does the campaign do
- Why is this campaign important ?
- How will the campaign work ?
- Who started The Campaign to TAKE ON HATE ?
- Why is NNAAC the organization to lead this campaign ?
- How can I get involved in The Campaign to TAKE ON HATE ?
- About NNAAC
What is The Campaign to TAKE ON HATE?
TAKE ON HATE, led by the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), is a multi-year, grassroots campaign to challenge this country’s growing prejudice and persistent misconception of Arab and Muslim Americans, including refugees of Arab and Muslim descent. TAKE ON HATE strives to address issues of bias and discrimination and stands against bigotry toward all people.
In 2014, TAKE ON HATE launched in four cities: Washington, D.C., Detroit, New York and San Francisco and has captured national attention through its message of dialogue and engagement.
Why was TAKE ON HATE created?
Since 9/11, there has been a vast increase in discrimination toward the Arab American community. TAKE ON HATE moves us closer to being a nation that upholds dignity and equality for all – regardless of national origin, ethnicity, or religion. Arab Americans are our neighbors, friends, leaders, and an integral part of our society. It’s time to address the perception of and hateful behavior toward Arab Americans, and stand up for change.
What does the campaign do?
The bias inherently built into standing Federal, state and local policy threatens the very nature of our democracy. We have a responsibility as a nation to protect the rights of everyone – Arab Americans included. Without significant policy change, we jeopardize the rights of all Americans. The campaign mobilizes support from within and outside our communities to address the injustices, bias and hate we face daily – whether at work, home or play.
TAKE ON HATE aims to achieve meaningful social change not only through public education, media and coalition building, but also by providing a platform for Arab Americans to speak up and inspire real policy change that challenges institutional discrimination and protects the rights of our communities.
Why is this campaign important?
America’s perception of and behavior toward Arab Americans needs to change. Arab Americans are your neighbors, your friends, your leaders and an integral part of our society. TAKE ON HATE challenges the current acceptability of prejudice toward Arab Americans by transforming hearts and minds and encouraging a better understanding of the Arab American community. Judgment, profiling, slandering, making jokes – no matter how it’s delivered, its hate. It’s still happening. It’s still wrong.
How will the campaign work?
Through the aid of strategic partnerships, earned and paid media, grassroots events and meetings with policymakers, the campaign will host localized efforts in four key cities: San Francisco, Detroit, and New York - with Chicago to launch this fall. As TAKE ON HATE continues to roll out, it will mobilize support from within and outside Arab American communities to address the injustices, bias and hate we face daily – whether at work, home or play. Through a coordinated grassroots effort, TAKE ON HATE increases awareness and education about Arab Americans and what they mean to our communities and calls upon all Americans to address the perception of and hateful behavior toward Arab Americans and stand up for change.
Who started The Campaign to TAKE ON HATE?
The Campaign to TAKE ON HATE is powered by the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), a program of ACCESS. Celebrating its 10th year in operation, NNAAC’s primary mission is to build the capacity of Arab American nonprofit organizations that focus on the needs and issues impacting their local community, while working to collectively address those issues nationally.
Why is NNAAC the organization to lead this campaign?
The National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC) is uniquely suited to lead The Campaign to TAKE ON HATE because of its roots as a coalition of community-based Arab American organization with a vast reach– 23 member organizations in 11 states – to build capacity for the campaign. It has many years of experience advocating on these issues and has respect amongst allies, community members and government entities.
How can I get involved in The Campaign to TAKE ON HATE?
We have a responsibility as a nation to protect the rights of everyone – Arab Americans included. Come together to correct cultural misconceptions, change policies, and empower all Arab and Muslim Americans, and Refugees of Arab descent, to celebrate their heritage without fear of discrimination.Take Action to #TakeOnHate.
About NNAAC
The National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), a program of ACCESS, is a national consortium of independent Arab American community-based organizations. The Network’s primary mission is the development of Arab American community-based nonprofit organizations that understand and meet the needs and represent the concerns of Arab Americans at the local level and collectively address these issues on the national level. NNAAC, which was established in 2004, currently has 23 members in 11 states. To support its mission, NNAAC has three main programs: Capacity Building, Advocacy & Civic Engagement, and Youth & Community Service.