Sasha and Shurooq, Instagram Live Interview
Sasha Sloan and Shurooq Safaa Al Jewari are working together to launch education workshops. The workshops are intended as school-based presentations and focus on friendship, inclusivity, and mental health.
Darien Laird, our Director of External Media, caught up with these two and asked them a few questions about their workshop and platform.
Darien:
Sasha, I want to start with you. When did you realize that supporting refugees and newcomers was going to be your platform and why is that so important to make an impact there?
Sasha:
Well, for the first several years that I was in the Miss America organization, my platform was girls’ empowerment. And so that was the project that I was working on and doing a lot with, you know, girls empowerment here in Utah. And I think the deeper that I got into it, the more that I felt like the intersection between women’s rights and then issues of immigration, I felt like that was a much more important place to focus. Because I feel like it’s one thing to receive discrimination when you’re a woman. I’ve definitely felt sexism in my life. I’ve experienced that. But I think that that pales in comparison to the compounded effect of the challenges faced by women when they are forced to migrate. So it kind of just narrowed in over the years.
Darien:
Shurooq, you have had this very big life experience as a refugee and coming to a new place and establishing yourself and integrating into a community. Why, for you,is this so important? Why did you decide, I’m going to do this, I’m going to take on this big responsibility?
Shurooq:
I just don’t want any newcomer to have the same experience that I had, being discriminated against or facing racism or being excluded and bullied in school, and then having to go through all the mental health issues that I have been through. It’s not right, just for us to live in a different country. We don’t have to face any of those consequences. We don’t have to pay for them. Just because we wanted to start a new life. So it’s not right. It’s our human right to live in a new country with a peaceful life and feel included in a community. I never felt that way at all. And I don’t want any newcomers to have the same experience I had.
Watch the entire live interview below:
Official Statement on U.S. Election Outcome
Here at Their Story Is Our Story, we know that the United States of America is stronger because of those who were forced to leave their homes and start anew with us. They bring vitality, determination, fortitude, and are essential to our economy, our culture, our communities, and our country. We are, and will continue to be, #betterwithrefugees.
Refugee Doctors Advocate for Legislative Change
The inspiring journey of refugee doctors advocating for legislative changes to ease their path back into medical practice in the U.S. Discover how their efforts led to the unanimous passing of House Bill 995 in Virginia, offering a temporary licensure pathway for International Medical Graduates (IMGs).
Voices of Resilience: 3 Afghani Refugees Use Their Professions to Make a Better World
This month marks the three year anniversary of the fall of Kabul. When the city fell, many were forced to flee their homes. Women who had careers, women who dreamed of careers, and women who lifted their voices to fight for equal rights were some of those most at risk. To America’s great benefit, some of these women landed in the US.