Pantsuit Nation book: divisions and the audacity to hope

The pantsuit has become the Democratic candidate's unofficial symbol. David Maris/Univision

By Aishah Schwartz

It was Tuesday evening when I first became aware of the buzz surrounding Maine native Libby Chamberlain's announcement that she intends to publish a book based on the collaborative contributions of the nearly 4-million member strong secret Facebook group, Pantsuit Nation, founded by Chamberlain during the 2016 election campaign.

This morning I Googled Pantsuit Nation, clicked on the news tab, and was stunned to find how widespread backlash over the book announcement had spread overnight.

The listing of articles with inflammatory titles proclaimed: "Pantsuit Nation members revolt after operator cashes in with book deal" - "The [secret] Pantsuit Nation Facebook Group Is Being Turned Into a Book" - (As published) "DELETE YOUR ACCOUNT Pantsuit Nation Is the Worst: Why a Book of Uplifting Facebook Posts Won't Heal America" - "Pantsuit Nation Is A Sham" - "Revolt in Pantsuit Nation!"

I don't need to copy and paste quotes from articles that you can, and should, read for yourselves to be able to state that, clearly the divide that engulfed our nation throughout the election campaign — infecting even those who rallied together in support of one another — rages on.

Personally, I sincerely hope that Chamberlain will take the time to read these post-book-announcement articles too, and not just those supporting her endeavor.

If Chamberlain can push past the admitted pain and disappointment evoked by the onslaught of negative commentary, noting relevant points from the articles and taking sufficient time to evaluate the merits — both pro and con — perhaps we can hold onto the hope that the end product will ultimately serve the greater good.

Egypt headlines declare Mohamed Morsi first freely elected President

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AISHAH SCHWARTZ FOR DEMOTIX

Monday's newspaper headlines declare that on Sunday, June 24, 2012, in the Republic of Egypt's first ever free and democratic presidential campaign, elected Dr. Mohamed Morsi as President.

VIEW THE JUNE 25, 2012 ALBUM HERE

Album covering June 22, 2012

Album covering June 23, 2012

Egypt Election Headlines Round-up June 23, 2012

As Egypt and the eyes of the world anticipate Sunday's announcement of the Presidential election result, protests continue in Cairo and across the country. While the Muslim Brotherhood continued to dominate Tahrir Square, thousands of pro-Shafik demonstrators gathered in Nasr City.

Below is a sampling of front-page headlines from the nation's Independent and State sponsored news agencies.

Cairo: Presidential election subliminal message

Egypt Election Headlines Round-up June 22, 2012

As the day approaches when Egypt and the world learns who will be the country's next President, news headlines reflect the divisiveness of its citizens.

THE INDEPENDENT'S

Click on any image to view larger scale.

STATE SPONSORED PUBLICATIONS
(Click on the link below for the rest of the story)

Park51 - Yes, I get mail

Members of mainstream US Muslim organizations don't have to accept my position on the matter; I do not recall having given any one of them permission to speak on my behalf - nor am I aware of there being any campaign nominating and electing a single one of them as being representative of the national Muslim voice. 

PRLog (Aug. 21, 2010) – I fully embrace the fact that I may not be on the popular side of the proverbial fence regarding the current proposed location of the Cordoba/ASMA cultural center and media dubbed 'Ground Zero Mosque', now known as Park51, but I have not expressed my views with the objective of winning a popularity contest.

It is also not my contention, as is that of others in the debate, that the project should be scrapped. On the contrary! I simply believe that it was not necessary to exacerbate an already inflamed climate of Islamophobia by choosing a site for the construction that would be hard-pressed to escape the scrutiny of those who would conspire against its intended purpose. However, the decision was made, and now the Muslim community at large will live with backlash that simply did not have to happen in the first place.

The responsibility of being peacemakers is, indeed a great one. However, antagonizing the non-Muslim community and then invoking the U.S. Constitution in defense vs. simply making a non-confrontational decision in the first place, does not mean that I have to accept the location decision as being right; therefore, I have spoken.

And yes, I get mail. If you'll forgive the typographical and grammatical errors, I will share them as-is. Here are just a few, for the sake of brevity.

Park 51 Organizers Missed Opportunity to Promote Tolerance and Understanding

Perhaps it is time for members of the Muslim community to own some of the responsibility for the lack of tolerance and bigotry hurled against them. It's not too late.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Aug. 21, 2010) – If Park 51 decision makers within the Cordoba Initiative and the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA), had used a moral compass based on the principle of compassion so highly touted in the Islamic faith, as a guide in making the location decision for their cultural center of understanding, peace and harmony, the nation would not be in the uproar it is today.

They could have taken the high road.

The history of the site, formerly the Burlington Coat Factory, in relation to 9/11, was a known fact. It had been grazed and was heavily damaged by one of the jet liners that crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center; information that substantiates the confrontational nature of the choice made when purchasing the property.

Information that has now been exploited for the benefit of raising the $100 million needed to complete the 13-story cultural center and mosque.

And at what cost?

Park 51/'Ground Zero Mosque' - The Crux of the Matter

Bottom line? Business as usual; it's all about the money.

As an American Muslim citizen and activist, I wholeheartedly agree with and do not deny the right of the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA) and the Cordoba Initiative, who purchased the building at 51 Park Ave. for a reported $4.85M, to do with it as they like; in accordance with applicable laws.

However, given that it was known that this building was grazed by one of the jet liners that crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and that the information - being the potent symbolism that 'became a compelling rationale for the project' - was insufficient to cause the organizers to re-evaluate the choice of location for their Islamic cultural center and mosque, further substantiates the confrontational nature of the choice made when purchasing the property. 

The estimated cost of constructing the 13-story project is reported to be upwards of $100M. What better way to garner support from donors than to incite them into contributing monetarily to the project by choosing a site that would inevitably become controversial - politically or otherwise - leading ultimately to mainstream media attention. Ka-ching. Free advertising.

At what cost?

MAS Freedom-AZ Director, Deedra Abboud Receives 2009 CPL Political Leaders Fellowship

Center for Progressive Leadership Fellowship Recipients Announced WASHINGTON, D.C. (MASNET) March 26, 2009 – MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS) MAS Freedom congratulates its Arizona chapter Executive Director, Deedra Abboud on being selected as a 2009 Center for Progressive Leadership (CPL) Fellow. The Arizona Political Leaders Fellowship is a 9-month, part-time program that focuses on providing the long-term resources and skills necessary for emerging leaders to become powerful political advocates for their communities. (more here)