Portraits by West Philly photographer JJ Tiziou are featured in a campaign against anti-Muslim ads appearing on buses around the city.
West Philly photographer JJ Tiziou is helping push back against the anti-Muslim ads posted around the city by providing portraits that showcase Philadelphia’s diversity.
Tiziou, who became known citywide with his amazing How Philly Moves murals, has been photographing Muslims in Philadelphia as part of the Dare to Understand initiative, a collective community response to anti-Muslim ads posted on buses around the paid for by a New Hampshire based organization.
The response includes a digital billboard on the Schuylkill Expressway featuring portraits by Tiziou that will run through April 12. The Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia, which fought the posting of the anti-Muslim ads through the courts, has launched a fundraising campaign to bolster the response.
“Our message has been clear: Not here. Not now. Not in our city,” a statement by the group reads.
Tiziou’s billboard photographs are part of his Everyone is Photogenic project, which he has revived as part of the Dare to Understand campaign. Learn more here.
The campaign is in response to ads on some 84 SEPTA buses sponsored by the American Freedom Defense Initiative. They feature the slogan “Islamic Jew Hatred: It’s in the Quran.” A federal court earlier this month ordered SEPTA to post the ads on free speech grounds. The ads will run for a month.
– Mike Lyons
April 2nd, 2015 at 12:43 pm
So great. Things like this are why I love Philadelphia, and especially West Philadelphia. Good job JJ and the Interfaith Center of Greater Phila.
April 2nd, 2015 at 2:46 pm
I am sick about these bigoted, backward ads that the court has forced SEPTA to run. Thank you, JJ Tiziou and the Interfaith Center, for taking this on.
Please know that these ugly ads do not speak for all Jews.
April 3rd, 2015 at 10:42 am
So heartening to see this. The diversity of people is what I love about Philly; and what I loved about the India I grew up in.
April 3rd, 2015 at 12:37 pm
While I appreciate these well-intentioned efforts to respond to Islamophobia, what really needs to happen is having those ads taken down. Do we see swastikas posted on billboards, buses, subways, and taxi cabs? If a Muslim group had proposed to post anti-Jewish ads in the city, that would never get off the ground because it would be rightfully condemned as hate speech.
Speaking as a Muslim, we shouldn’t have to respond with counter-ads. The real issue here is how normalized the demonization of Islam and Muslims are. This is hate speech, not “free speech.” These ads are targeting Muslims. This is something that concerns our safety. I wish this would be taken more seriously than making this about “free speech” and counter-ad responses that place on the burden on us to “explain” ourselves.
April 3rd, 2015 at 2:03 pm
Z, please know that people of all faiths or no faiths condemn these ads as hate speech, and Septa went to court to avoid running them, but lost. They are changing their policies so no such ads can run in the future:
“U.S. District Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg ruled March 11 that because SEPTA had accepted other political and controversial ads on public issues, it could not refuse to accept the Hitler ad.
SEPTA officials said Thursday that will change. New advertising standards have been established to prohibit all political, public-issue, and noncommercial ads, SEPTA general counsel Gino Benedetti said Thursday.
By consistently refusing all such ads, SEPTA officials say, they will satisfy Goldberg’s concerns that selective prohibitions violated constitutional free-speech protections.
Local religious leaders gathered Thursday at SEPTA headquarters to lament the ads but to praise SEPTA’s unsuccessful opposition.
“It’s devastating not just to Muslims but to other people, as well,” said Imam Muhammad Abdur-Razzaq Miller, of the mosque of Shaikh M.R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen in Overbrook. He likened the ads to anti-Jewish propaganda of Hitler and Joseph Goebbels in Nazi Germany.
Rabbi David Ackerman, of Congregation Beth Am Israel in Penn Valley, called the ads “irresponsible speech that inflames hatred.”
The Rev. Judith A. Sullivan, an Episcopalian clergywoman who chairs the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia, said the ads were designed to incite hatred and prejudice. “We are proud SEPTA tried so very hard to prevent this,” she said.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20150327_SEPTA_agrees_to_accept__Jew_hatred__ads.html#E6EwBxQ8D7EMeoht.99
April 3rd, 2015 at 2:32 pm
Rachel, I’m totally aware that so many people are condemning these ads. It’s really heartening to see non-Muslim allies in the community speaking up.
My point was about making more efforts for structural change. Despite the murder of 3 Muslim students in Chapel Hill, Islamophobia is not taken seriously, let alone acknowledged as a real problem in our society. As these ads (as well as films like American Sniper and TV shows like Homeland) demonstrate, Islamophobia is normalized.
It’s good to hear about SEPTA’s policy change, but as a friend put it, the damage is already one. There needs to be some kind of accountability rather than just place the burden on Muslims to “explain” themselves about how we are not terrorists, not “Jew haters,” etc. Muslims are still having to board these buses. Muslims still have to see these ads right in front of their faces. Why not remove the ads now? This is a safety issue.
April 5th, 2015 at 12:14 pm
A response to the ads on the “Muslim Reverie” blog:
https://muslimreverie.wordpress.com/2015/04/04/islamophobic-ads-on-septa-buses-are-not-free-speech/
April 8th, 2015 at 2:31 pm
I’m sort of a free speech absolutist and draw the line at incitement.
The proper response to awful free speech is not less free speech, but more free speech, and higher quality free speech.
The proper response is from the culture at large, and not the government. Just as we should isolate and make uncomfortable those who deny the holocaust, or deny climate science, or support the KKK, we should isolate and mock people who support the views of this group.
That being said, hey, Z, you should definitely take them down. If I see it, I won’t be protesting at all 🙂 I’m just not sure that it should be barred by authorities. That’s how you make a martyr and perpetuate radical views – just pushing them underground.
April 9th, 2015 at 11:39 am
Gordon,
It’s really disturbing how you have said nothing in your comment about the safety and well being of Muslims, especially in a climate where Islamophobia is acceptable and where hate crimes, discriminatory acts, and imperialist violence against Muslims are on the rise. Instead of talking about these issues, you’d rather derail the conversation and talk about “free speech”?
Just yesterday, it was announced that the University of Michigan decided to cancel the campus screening of “American Sniper.” Muslim students had been protesting against the screening because it made them feel unsafe. For you to move beyond “free speech,” you need to understand the impact these ads have on Muslims – not just a physical impact, but also the potential it is has to traumatize and retraumatize Muslims.
Hate speech incites violence. Make an effort to understand that.
April 9th, 2015 at 12:12 pm
Z,
Thanks for the reply.
For me, the issue is the mechanism, of whether the gov’t should intervene or not.
I didn’t mean to derail anything. I meant to say that this Tizo photographer’s work is an example of “good speech” pushing back against “really terrible” speech/culture.
Absolutely, the safety of Muslims is absolutely important, no question.
I guess you and I might disagree on what is incitement versus what is hate speech.
As for imperialist violence, I presume that you mean US invasions of Muslim countries, which I oppose/d.
If you mean the Chapel Hill murders – it seems to me that they were the exception that proves the rule. Atheists killing Muslims? That’s not a regular thing in the US, is it?
I’m not suggesting that Muslims are treated nicely all of the time. No. Nor do I suggest that Americans aren’t xenophobic or that they see lots of nuance.
I’m just saying that I don’t see this as being connected to a pattern of violence, and. And I leave entirely open the possibility that I’m just not seeing it – I’m only saying that I’m not aware of it. Please fill me in (and re: American Sniper, I don’t watch most American action films, so I haven’t been keeping up about that; I’m sorry).
As for “well being”, I think that’s a fair discussion to have, but it’s just a difficult one when you put it up against a long tradition of it being protected up to the point of incitement.
What do we do when we both value “free speech” and “well being”? I’m reluctant to say that there should be any official rules prohibiting free speech, even hateful, stupid, idiotic free speech. I hope that the culture will trump the idiots.
And seriously, I support you wanting to take those signs down. I just think that it shouldn’t be a government agency. I only debate the mechanism – I don’t think there should be a rule prohibiting it. I think – I hope – that our culture is strong enough to condemn things like this (ie. the photographer’s project).
In case you are up for it, feel free to email me and let me buy you a coffee and discuss. courtneyg2009 at g mail.
April 9th, 2015 at 2:45 pm
Gordon,
There are so many things in your comment that need to be unpacked. While I recognize your openness and willing to learn, I think it’s important for you to understand that your comments about Islamophobia not being connected to a pattern of violence is so disconnected from the reality of what Muslims in the west experience.
In fact, this is why these initiatives are so problematic. On one hand, you say you support these counter campaigns that seek to challenge the Islamophobic ads, but on the other, you hold the belief that Islamophobia is not as prevalent and not connected to the larger structures of violence and oppression in this country.
I have been writing research papers and essays (a few which are published) on Islamophobia since 2002. Not only that, I am a Muslim myself and I live this experience. You need to read the annual reports and studies that have been conducted on the effects of Islamophobia, as well as how Islamophobia (including anti-Muslim hate crimes, discriminatory acts, vandalism, bullying, harassment, etc.) have actually increased, not lessened since 9/11.
Read Sherene Razack’s book, “Casting Out: The Eviction of Muslims from Western Law.” If you want to learn more about the well being of Muslim Americans and how Islamophobia impacts their everyday lives, read “The Effects of Discrimination and Constraints Negotiation on Leisure Behavior of American Muslims in the Post-September 11 America” by Jennifer S. Livengood, Monika Stodolska.
Muslims are much more than smiling faces on a billboard ad. Our stories are incredibly complex and multi-layered, and they are rarely given a platform to speak. Your comment actually demonstrates that Tiziou’s photography is not enough because you remain ignorant about the struggles that Muslims face daily. You do not see the ads as a threat and assault on our humanity. You speak about Chapel Hill, but are you aware of how disrespectful your comments are to the victims and their family members? One of the victim’s sister stated in her interviews on CNN and MSNBC that this is NOT an isolated incident, but due to the way the media dehumanizes Muslims and Islam on a daily basis.
Slavery was considered legal in this country. Genocide against Native Americans (which still occurs today) has never been against the law. “Legal” is decided by the dominant power structures in society. An anti-semitic ad campaign would NEVER be posted on these buses because society would not allow it. You need to move beyond this framework of “free speech” and instead, look at this through the lens of power dynamics and oppression. Certain groups of people, like the Muslim community, are targeted and oppressed – not just by right-wing groups, but by institutional forces in general.
Muslims and other people of color communities are very vulnerable. Even supporting the “right” for these ads have the potential to further trigger and traumatize Muslims. You are focusing more on legality than the kind of hatred and violence this perpetuates against us. Read about the Muslim teenagers who get bullied, not only by fellow classmates, but by their teachers too. Read about the increase of Muslims who report discrimination in their workplace.
Talk to Muslims. Reach out to them. Listen to them. Don’t just reduce us to photographs.
April 10th, 2015 at 10:09 am
Let me first clarify – this is absolutely hate speech. No question. I just think that there is a tradition of protecting this speech in this country, and I would hope that it protects those whose speech I agree with (ie. Muslims are welcome in our community, queer people are welcome, police shouldn’t shoot black people) and those who I do not.
We may not like it, but that’s the law. Believe me, I would absolutely defend the right of anti-Jewish or anti-Christian groups to say the similar things (and they have similarly or more problematic scripture). I think that you point out correctly that the larger American culture is more sensitive to anti-Semitism. That doesn’t mean that anti-Semitic speech should be any less protected.
Also, let’s be clear: I eschew people who express these ideas. These people deserve no quarter. They should have their speech, and then be promptly and vociferiously booed and made to feel very uncomfortable. They are not welcome in my community.
I believe and agree with a lot of things above that I didn’t actually articulate – it would take many pages to document all of my thoughts on this, so I only mentioned what I felt was a point of mechanism. That this was a terrible tragedy, and that living in the US as a Muslim is uncomfortable should be obvious to anyone paying attention.
I certainly think that the photographer’s work is necessary but not sufficient. I’m sure that you agree. I want the culture to push back against this.
Here’s what I saw when the Chapel Hill murders happened – the internet erupted, as it should. It was widely condemned in my circles. I don’t know who threatens Muslims in this country, but I confront the few instances of prejudice that I have seen (typically when traveling in areas that fit a particular…demographic).
In my experience, it is a certain type of people in our society who have these views and articulate them loudly, and I don’t see or know of any in West Philly in my day to day life.
Have I seen Muslims discriminated against in West Philly? No, never. Do I wish to understand more about life for my Muslim neighbors? Absolutely. I am open to the possibility that anti-Muslim discrimation is all around me. I only know my experience and my truth, and I wish to compare it to yours and see if my views need to be adjusted.
Seriously, please get in touch if you would like. Let me buy you lunch. I’m game for one of those books if you are game up for lunch. two six seven, 428 six five 53 🙂
You may say that all of my arguments are distinctions without a difference. I would be open to a discussion about that. I could be convinced. My objective is to learn more, to become wiser and more nuanced, and not to win any debate.