The Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA) and Shoulder to Shoulder (S2S) are working together to uplift the voices of youth and young people (along with people of all ages) of different faiths and cultural backgrounds in sharing the story of their name.
Why? Reports from ISPU’s recent American Muslim Poll show that half of American Muslim families (51%) with children in K-12 public schools report a child of theirs has been bullied for their faith in the past year. One third of those bullied report that a teacher or school official was the bully. The simple task of taking attendance can reinforce experiences of shame and bullying OR they can be chances for students to be seen and heard. Beyond this, we all have a story behind our name. We want to hear them! Through sharing videos of personal stories about people’s names, this campaign will contribute to feelings of pride in one's own story and identity and serve as a potential entry point for deeper discussions and connections. It will model how we can all listen and transform the way we build community through sharing the stories of ourselves and hearing the stories of others.
Action: This August we're excited to join the #AboutMyName campaign with the Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA), supported by the Shoulder to Shoulder campaign. Listening and sharing about something as simple as our names can open new paths of understanding as we discover shared meanings and history. Perhaps your name is a family name passed through generations or was a favorite pop star's name or is a name from scripture. What’s the story behind your name? How do you respond and feel when someone gets it wrong or right? Feel free to be creative, be funny, be serious, and above all, just be you. Tag 5 friends! Use the hashtag #AboutMyName and tag @MYNAnational and @S2SCampaign
Additional questions to ponder:
What does your name mean?
How do you spell it?
Craziest way somebody has spelled it? (If video) What is the weirdest way somebody has said it?
Do you like your name?
Was there a journey of acceptance?
When we think of your name what do you want us to imagine?
Is it a family name?
Were you named after somebody, if so who?
If you were given the chance to change it, why and to what?
Do you have a nickname? Is there a story/meaning behind the nickname?
What language is your name in? Is there a different way to say it if it's not in English?
To share your story with Shoulder to Shoulder directly, or to download social language and images for posting, contact us.
See examples on Instagram of stories shared earlier this year.
Read a blog by MYNA on the project.