Activist discusses anti-Islamophobia work

In recent years, there has been increasing scrutiny in New York City on Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism. From opposition to an Islamic Cultural Center near the site of the World Trade Center to anti-Islam ads in the subways, Islamophobia and its repercussions have taken center stage. "The reality is that in the post-9/11 era, anti-Arab racism and anti-Muslim bigotry have become an entrenched feature of the landscape in New York City and nationwide," said Donna Nevel, a Jewish-American community psychologist, educator and activist who has worked to fight bias and bring awareness to these issues among New York City's Jewish community and the general public. Nevel discussed her work in a talk titled "Combating Islamophobia in New York City: A Jewish-American Activist Shares Her Experiences" on campus Nov. She is a founding member of Jews Say No!, a board member of Jewish Voice for Peace and a founder of the Jews Against Islamophobia Coalition (JAIC). She said increasing awareness of Islamophobia is necessary to fight it, since many people who are not Muslim don't recognize the many manifestations of Islamophobia when they occur. "One of the ways Islamophobia often manifests itself..