There is so much unnecessary prejudice in media against people who are trying to improve our communities.
"The Post published a series of articles linking Almontaser to AWAAM, which was depicted as an extremist and Muslim organization (AWAAM is in fact a feminist, Arab American, but not necessarily Muslim, organization). The Postclaimed that AWAAM was “hawking T-shirts that glorify Palestinian terror,” and accusations echoed across the right-wing blog-o-sphere."
The truth about the orga
nization, Arab Women in the Art's and Media (AWAAM) is a community organization from Brooklyn, NY which gives media training to young women agees 14-18. These women encounter hostility constantly because of anti-immigrant attitudes created by media sources who are desperate for a story. It's through the AWAAM young arab women feel empowered as they can find a sense of unity and place in a hostile enviroment.
Being depicted as extremist gives the impression that the AWAAM is a dangerous organization is wrong. I anti-immigrant feelings of the media are justified enough to bring hate on an organization like AWAAM. There is no reason to continue feed the hate-mongers and for the AWAAM to be targeted as a group that promotes terror.
The young women of AWAAM fought back against the negative depictions of their work.
"Taking action into their own hands, the young women of AWAAM did exactly what they had learned during the summer—they made a video, countering the attacks, documenting the truth, and reclaiming their voices. Manipulating the constraint of anonymity, they shot the video, entitled “Silenced by the Media,” without including their faces, resulting in chilling images of decapitated bodies and dissociated voices telling the truth about the scandal and Almontaser’s
resignation."
Young women are constantly bombarded by the media to make them feel,dress, and act a certain way. There is a need for young women to create their own voice to show their opinion about the media and that they have the power to change perspe
ctives. Reel Grrls is one of these organizations that provide an alternative media source.
"Reel Grrls empowers young women from diverse communities to realize their power, talent and influence through media production. Our mission is to cultivate voice and leadership in girls at a vulnerable age in their development."
They create an environment for teenage girls to develop in specific skills including animation, cinematography, script writing. This gives them the power to create media and produce it to make a difference in the media and provide another perspective on current media outlets.
It's necessary to have alternative media sources to find out the news that the mainstream media won't release. Alternative media provides a possibility for the voice of the prejudiced and unheard to respond to the mainstream news outlets. Without alternative media it is very hard for women and minorities to have their voice heard. It is also because they are usually non-profit driven they can focus on issues that aren't normally released in mainstream news especially news that matter to them as a community. It because there is a demand for alternative media sources that these organization exist.
Sources were taken from http://www.youthmediareporter.org/2007/11/media_savvy_arab_girls_respond.html
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