#MyMuslimVote lets Muslims speak for themselves — finally

Their lives are bigger than the Islamophobia that plagued the campaign season.

On Election Day, Muslim Americans used social media to paint a picture of their values and priorities that provided a much-needed contrast to the oversimplified and often bigoted narratives that dominated the campaign cycle.

Under the hashtag #MyMuslimVote, they shared polling place selfies and images of “I Voted” stickers, accompanied with statements of hopes for what their votes would accomplish.

The campaign was started by MyMuslimVote, a nonpartisan organization focused on uplifting the voices of Muslim voters in the 2016 election cycle.

Its website urges voters to seize the attention placed on the experiences and views of Muslims after Donald Trump’s proposed “Muslim ban” and his Islamophobic criticisms Army Capt. Humayun Khan’s family. “There's never been an election cycle that's been more focused on Muslims, Islam, and Muslim communities,” the website says, “But our own voices have been left out of the conversation—until now. “

The result: a barrage of tweets yearning for a country free of bias, hate, and discrimination against Muslims. But also, a realistic depiction of a much broader and more diverse set of priorities: affordable college, civil rights for all oppressed communities, jobs, and a peaceful foreign policy.

As one user put it, “#Islamophobia is a real concern, but #MyMuslimVote is about more: education, the environment, jobs, Black Lives Matter are all my issues.”

#MyMuslimVote is a celebration of the fundamental American values of diversity and inclusion.

— Ellison for Congress (@EllisonCampaign) November 4, 2016

#MyMuslimVote is a future of peace, tolerance, economic prosperity and justice.

— Saad Ahmad (@SaadYo) November 3, 2016

#MyMuslimVote is for black and brown individuals to be able to walk down the streets without fear of discrimination, hatred or being killed.

— Maheen (@maheenahmed_) November 4, 2016

I voted for civility. I voted against hate. I voted against turning the clocks back more than an hour. #MyMuslimVote I voted for #MyAmerica http://pic.twitter.com/wHZGERfmKV

— Eman Hassaballa Aly (@EmanHAly) November 8, 2016

We voted because we love this country and want to see it continue to progress, not turn back! #MyMuslimVote http://pic.twitter.com/EvVjvbWFBc

— Asma Rehman (@asmarehman97) November 8, 2016

#mymuslimvote is for empowerment and taking a united stand with fellow communities of color to say we matter and we will effect change

— Assia Boundaoui (@assuss) November 8, 2016

I am Muslim. I am American. I voted because this land was made for you and me. #MyMuslimVote http://pic.twitter.com/4VExfNXmHF

— Tarek El-Messidi (@Elmessidi) November 8, 2016

#MyMuslimVote is to live in a society where I am not defined by terrorist crimes and national security threats

— Sean Mohammad khan (@smklive1) November 4, 2016

#Islamophobia is a real concern, but #MyMuslimVote is about more: education, the environment, jobs, #blacklivesmatter are all my issues.

— Donna Auston (@TinyMuslimah) November 8, 2016

I cast #MyMuslimVote for the @GreenPartyUS, the only party that speaks for working people, peaceful foreign policy, and the environment.

— free xmascadia (@freecascadia) November 8, 2016

#MyMuslimVote is for the next POTUS to make college affordable, tuition free, and debt free!

— Dalias Ilyas (@hopeful_passion) November 4, 2016

There shouldn’t be a need for a reminder that Muslims have lives outside of being partners in preventing terrorism and have hopes for the country beyond curbing Islamophobia. Unfortunately, after a campaign season full of public debates that tended to flatten Muslims to potential threats on one hand, or victims of discrimination the other, there is.

Source: http://www.vox.com/identities/2016/11/8/13567758/election-voting-my-muslim-vote-campaign-islamophobia