Blogger Advocates Social Change

On Wednesday, Sept. 15 students from a variety of majors flocked to the Regents Room in the Memorial Union to hear renowned blogger Mona Eltahawy speak on the concept of blogging for social change. Eltahawy, a Muslim-American journalist, is the first Activist-in-Residence brought to OU this year by the Center for Social Justice. Her most recent blog post “Hey America: I’m Muslim, Let’s Talk”, explores the strained relationship between America and the Muslim culture.

“This idea of creating a blog so you could tell the world about how you feel was practically nonexistent.” Eltahawy says of her beginnings as a blogger post 9/11. “Blogging back then for me was like opinion pieces, so I started writing opinion pieces sharing the ‘I’, and I think that’s the most important factor when you blog or when you go on social media. It’s about the ‘I’.”

With the recent debate over plans to build an Islamic community center two blocks from Ground Zero and religious groups across the nation burning the Quran, Eltahawy’s speech comes at a time when anti-Muslim sentiment is higher than ever. Eltahawy describes how blogging led her to physical activism in an effort to educate people on the true nature of Islam.

Mona Eltahawy speaking to students at her “Blogging for Social Change” symposium

Eltahawy emphasized the reality of blogging to students—change does not come over night. However, she maintains the awareness created by blogs is a powerful force against dictatorships and oppression. Eltahawy hopes to bring awareness to Americans on the true values of Islam. Her blog posts can be followed at http://www.monaeltahawy.com/.