Linda Sarsour

Inspires a New Generation of Changemakers

by Raven Howell
photos courtesy of K.K. Ottesen and Linda Sarsour

In Linda Sarsour’s memoir, We’re in This Together, Linda shares her experience and memories of what it’s been like growing up as a Palestinian Muslim American to become an important activist and recognizable figure in the Women’s Movement. Linda is an influential community organizer, and her background is impressive as the former executive director of the Arab American Association of New York and co-founder of the first Muslim online organizing platform MPower Change, as well as the national racial justice organization, Until Freedom.

This Brooklyn-born mom of three children has recently released the young reader’s edition of her memoir, We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders. 

Merely five years ago, Linda, the national co-chair of the Women’s March in 2017, delivered a historic speech at the National Hall in Washington, D.C., where over 470,000 people had gathered. In her words, the biggest accomplishment of this monumental protest is that “it is the largest single-day protest in American history.”

An influential advocate for legislation, policy, and protection of rights, Linda has received numerous awards and honors including Champion of Change from the Obama White House. She’s often described as independent, outspoken, and ambitious, but befriend her behind the scenes and you’ll meet a self-described “hilarious (if I do say so myself), compassionate, and honest” soul. 

Linda’s message is one of caution and encouragement. “I believe that our world is in danger, and it can only be saved by our young people. My book is a timely way to challenge and inspire youth to be the change they want to see. I believe that the stories in my book will resonate, educate, and provide practical information and skills.”

“My biggest reward has been traveling to college campuses across the country and having young people come up to me with my book in hand. Hearing young people of color, Muslim women, and others thanking me for telling my story. Being able to write a book that acknowledges and gives voice to marginalized and misunderstood communities has meant everything to me.”

Linda has been inspired by several key figures in her life. “My biggest inspiration was Basemah Atweh, a dear mentor and someone who I grew up with. She was the co-founder of the Arab American Association of New York and a leader in the Arab and Palestinian American communities I am from. She was bold, courageous, resourceful, compassionate, and kind to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, and/or economic status. She was funny, fashionable, and extremely personable. She made every single person feel important in her presence and I grew up to emulate her. She unfortunately passed away in a tragic car accident and to this day, I strive to continue her legacy of service to those less fortunate.”

Young readers will find We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders provides an insightful glimpse of Linda’s early experiences which shaped and guided her life decisions. Transparently, she describes private moments of her past—at times, giggle-worthy scenarios, at times, sad ordeals. Of her candor, Linda says, “My family and friends have been very supportive throughout my book publishing experience. They understand how important my voice is and how it can help shape, teach, and inspire others. As someone who loves to read and tell stories, I was always committed to accessibility. I wanted young and old alike, and those for whom English was a second language, to benefit and have access to my story, so I was intentional about the vocabulary.”

Explaining the process of taking her adult memoir to shape it into the format of a young reader’s book, she says, “It wasn’t difficult to readapt my memoir for a younger audience at all in the sense that I was able to use similar language from my adult book and then I added other stories I felt relevant from my childhood to ensure that it spoke more clearly to younger readers.”

“I hope that the stories I share and the people I introduce in the book inspire young people to strive toward racial justice and that they begin exploring their own purpose and role in bringing equality in their schools, neighborhoods, and communities.”

When I ask Linda what advice she could share with students today, she replies, “I am who I am today because of the love, care, and intentionality from my public school teachers. They believed in me, and I watched how hard they worked to ensure I had the best education possible. I was very fortunate to have teachers who helped shape how I think about the world and how to use my education to make my community a better place. My advice to students is that the world needs you. The world needs doctors, lawyers, teachers, astronauts, nurses, engineers, fashion designers, social workers, veterinarians, scientists, and more—the most important thing regardless of what you choose to be is to be kind, open, and curious about everything. Always strive to be the best that you can be, not what others want you to be. Be unapologetic about who you are in every space that you are in. When you are bold and courageous, you will inspire others to be the same.”

She adds, “I want to see more young people in places of power making decisions about important issues like education and climate justice. I want to live in a world where Black people thrive, our planet is healthy, and women have equal rights. I want to live in a world without wars and one where every child feels safe and cared for.”

Linda’s tip for handling these heavier events comes in the form of how she herself is carrying on day to day, noting, “The world is a very dark place full of violence, wars, and poverty. Every time you turn on your television or scroll on your smart phone, we are met with devastating news. For me, I look forward to spending time with my family and my two cats, Carmen and Lucy.”

Ultimately, her journey is worth any hardship or challenge she may face. Linda recalls a special, unforgettable moment of gratitude as an example of that. “Hijab (Muslim-women head covering) is a very controversial topic in Western discourse. I find myself having to often defend my choice to wear it. One day, I was at a Muslim convention in Chicago and a young Muslim college-aged woman asked to speak to me privately. I agreed and she shared with me that she had just decided to wear the hijab because I inspired her. For her, I represented an independent, unapologetic Muslim woman who committed herself to her faith and justice and that motivated her to wear the hijab. I was really moved by the conversation and realized that one can never measure the impact they can have on others.”

Presently she’s looking forward to getting busy in a rewarding and fruitful way. Alerting librarians and teachers, Linda exclaims, “My favorite part about my new book, We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders will be library and school visits. Oftentimes, people think we teach young people and yet in my many experiences, young people have taught me so much. I’m looking forward to meeting more brilliant youth from around the country!”

Even in youth, as the eldest daughter in her family, Linda’s talents excelled in organizational skills. Still, there must have been a fun occasion organized for her. “I am always the organizer when it comes to community events, protests, rallies, even family occasions like weddings and birthday parties, but there was one time when one of my dearest friends, Zahra Billoo, a civil rights lawyer from California organized a friends’ trip for my 40th birthday and all I had to do was show up to the airport,” she says, smiling. “It was the first time in my adult life where I wasn’t exactly sure what was going to happen over the next few days, but it was a blast!”

Linda’s final words of motivation resonate long after she’s expressed them. “I would love to write more social justice centered books for young people. The most important takeaway from We Are Not Here to Be Bystanders would be for students to see others the same way they see those that they love. I hope that the stories I share and the people I introduce in the book inspire young people to strive toward racial justice and that they begin exploring their own purpose and role in bringing equality in their schools, neighborhoods, and communities.”

For more information about Linda Sarsour, her books, and her activism efforts, visit lindasarsour.com.