WASHINGTON, DC — The following is a statement from Madihha Ahussain, Muslim Advocates’ special counsel for anti-Muslim bigotry, in response to Twitter’s announcement of a policy update intended to remove content that dehumanizes people on the basis of religion:
Twitter’s policy update is a very positive step in the right direction. Muslims, Jews, Sikhs and other religious minorities are often targeted with dangerous slurs and conspiracy theories and we applaud genuine efforts to remove this content from social media platforms. However, the effectiveness of this new policy will depend on how Twitter enforces it.
We also have many questions about what constitutes dehumanization. For example, President Trump in April tweeted a misleading video that featured a recording of Rep. Ilhan Omar intercut with footage of the 9/11 terrorist attacks—dangerously conjuring the stereotype that Muslims are terrorists at a time when Omar was already receiving death threats. Would this count as dehumanizing someone based on their religion? Twitter has the potential to stop the spread of dangerous attacks and conspiracy theories against Muslims and others that incite threats and violence, but only if its policies are robust and comprehensive.
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad freeFurther, dehumanizing content on Twitter and other social media platforms doesn’t just harm religious groups. People of color, LGBTQ individuals and many others are frequently targeted by bigoted and dangerous hate speech and these communities deserve to be protected as well.
We hope Twitter will enforce this updated policy with vigor and urge the company to expand it to include other threatened communities.
—
What’s your take? Comment below or write a response and submit to us your own point of view or reaction here at the red box, below, which links to our submissions portal.
◊♦◊
Sign up for our Writing Prompts email to receive writing inspiration in your inbox twice per week.
If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project, please join us as a Premium Member, today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.
A $50 annual membership gives you an all-access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class, and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group, and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.
Register New Account
Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.
◊♦◊
Get the best stories from The Good Men Project delivered straight to your inbox, here.
Image ID: 1438862327