OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS
Strengthening Positive Perceptions of American Muslims
MESsage development & ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN
PURPOSE | A coalition of advocacy organizations and foundations sought to change the narratives dominating US news and entertainment that cast American Muslims in negative light
CHALLENGE | Headline news surrounding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, in addition to the uptick in anti-Muslim sentiment elicited during the “Ground Zero Mosque” debate was fueling strong, and at times violent, animus towards America’s Muslim communities
SOLUTION | Countered prevailing narratives with messages promoting the “Golden Rule” – which people largely believed should be applied to all Americans, regardless of religion. My team did this through:
IMPACT | Armed a coalition of three dozen organizations with powerful, aspirational messages that met critical audiences where they are, helping steer them away from bigoted narratives
TAGS | Islamaphobia; Advocacy; Psychological Explorations; Religion; Media