In the midst of the highly publicized terror attacks, the discussion has shifted to not talk of terrorists, but instead all Muslims and all refugees in general, as dangerous. The U.S. House has just passed a bill to make it even more difficult for refugees to gain access to safety here. Donald Trump has said if he were president, he would close and/or monitor many mosques. And governors across the nation have "chosen" what side they will have their state on: accepting of refugees or barring them. Many Muslims have been feeling nothing but harassment in recent days; even a Mosque in Pflugerville was vandalized.
Noor Tagouri is one of the many trying to fight this hatred.
Tagouri crossed my newsfeed this week in a wonderful mashup by INSIDER, in which Tagouri is calling for shame towards the anti-Islamic, anti-Immigrant behavior that a "small but loud" portion of America is demonstrating. Researching her, I have found a new role model and wondrous activist to look up to — and you should too.
1. Noor Tagouri, a 21-year-old American TV Journalist (who happens to be a woman, happens to be Muslim, and happens to choose to wear the hijab), is already accomplishing more in a few years than many could in a lifetime. She began college at 16, graduated at 20, and afterward began working for a Maryland news network. She travels the world for stories, talks, and has launched an international social media campaign, "LetNoorShine" ("noor" means light in Arabic), to inspire others.
2. Her passion and intelligence are evident, in both her long list of accomplishments and her current work. Tagouri has been a guest commentator for the D.C. Fox affiliate lately, once taking on Jessie Jane Duff in a debate on the admittance of Syrian refugees, and again on the backlash Muslim Americans have faced since the Paris attacks. She has said, "It's sad that our society is at this point where [Muslims] have to be so in your face, about how American we are," and, "Every time an immigrant comes into America, America becomes more American." Clearly enlightened quotes from a highly enlightened person.
3. She has become an inspiration for not only Muslims or women, but her 16,000 YouTube subscribers, her 23,000 Twitter followers, and the 111,000 people who follow her Facebook. She is quickly ascending to the top and making a name for herself. Her dream? To become the first hijabi anchorwoman on an American commercial news station. And she is well on her way: Tagouri proclaims herself to be extremely competitive and anyone who sees or hears her knows she radiates confidence since learning over the years how to accept herself with pride. She is paving the way for so many, and will continue to do so. Times are changing and now they belong to motivated young people — such as Tagouri.
4. BONUS: Her contour never fails to impress; we salute you.
