Post by Amanda Moses

I am heartbroken by the mass shooting and loss of life that occurred in Sydney yesterday. This is my home city, and it feels especially heavy to sit with. My thoughts are with the Jewish community, particularly as this attack occurred during Hanukkah, a time that should be about light, safety, and community. Targeted violence and racism cause immense harm, and the fear and grief left behind cannot be understated. I also want to acknowledge the courage of Ahmed El-Ahmed, who put his own life at risk to intervene and protect others. His actions were brave, selfless, and deeply human. In the aftermath, I’ve been really disturbed by the rise in Islamophobia online. The actions of individuals do not represent entire faiths or communities. Ahmed’s actions make that very clear. We can’t respond to racism with more racism.