How to fight Trump's bigotry and racism?

Here below I share views of a learned Muslim scholar on the subject of fighting racism and bigotry in the USA, which has, sadly, become the hallmark of Trump presidency.
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Assalamu Alaykum:

In December 2016, a second grader in Ohio told me that he wanted to leave the United States - but that he will be back in four years and three months. 

It was immediately after President Donald Trump’s election, and I was amazed at his meaningful calculation. When his father told him not to share his thoughts with other classmates he said that everyone in his class knew that all Muslims and Latinos would have to leave the country under Trump. That was before the Muslim Ban.

I wonder what children are now experiencing and thinking in the midst of the shouts of “Send her back! Send her back! Send her back!” as chanted by President Trump’s supporters last week during a rally in North Carolina. The crowd was whipped up into a frenzy about Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) at Trump’s mention. 

Now, four Congresswomen of color, a Muslim Somali-American, a Puerto Rican-American, an African-American, and a Muslim Palestinian-American are all being told to go back (Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez).

How we respond to this as a nation will define our character for years to come.

However, this is not the first time America has heard these slogans. African-Americans, Jews, the Chinese, the Irish, Italians, Poles, Germans, the Japanese and so many others have suffered worse and rose from the ashes of hate and bigotry to liberate America from its boxes of bigotry.

As Muslims, we need to remind ourselves of the advice of the Almighty God who created us all: “Repel evil with something better” (Quran 23:96)

Thinking Points

• Many scholars believe that rising fear, hate, and anger in America will continue for a generation or two. 
• That requires us to not only be stronger in our faith, but to be better neighbors, and better citizens. It will also require us to raise the next generation as a first-rate Americans and top notch Muslims who will take America forward
• So consider how much time and money you need to budget to fully develop the next generation of American Muslims
• Remember the example of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. His worst enemies wanted him dead, abused him, and tortured his followers. Yet, he remained not just steadfast, but hopeful, positive, and open to others. He was willing to forgive, and willing to dialog and engage with any enemy willing to hear him out
• We must watch out so that we do not fall unconsciously into behaving as though all white people are racist. That should go without saying, but given the current circumstances, it is important to emphasize. Consider how unfair it is when others believe all Muslims are terrorists because of the actions of a few. As well, consider that there were many white Americans who elected a Black man as president, despite false accusations that he was born in Kenya. Also, many white Americans have and continue to protest and speak out against President Trump’s bigotry and hate
• Differentiate between White people and white supremacists. White supremacists are trying to mainstream themselves but they are not the mainstream. They are a hate group. More Republicans, the vast majority of whom support Trump at some level, need to clarify this. Some have expressed disapproval of Trump’s recent attacks on Ilhan Omar and the three other Congresswomen
• This is not just about skin color. It is about hate, bigotry, and extremism. There are dark-skinned, extremist Hindus who support Trump because he hates Muslims, among other reasons. Recently Steve Bannon became the co-chair of the Republican Hindu Coalition 

Talking Points

• It is very important to talk to children:

• Remind them that God in the Quran and Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, emphasized that human beings are one, from the same set of parents, and there is no superiority based on race
• Share with them the blessing of God upon us
• Help them articulate their feelings first at home and then at school

• Silence is not an option:

• Call in to radio talk shows, especially the conservative ones, and share what your thoughts firmly but politely
• No other country in the world has as many races, colors, and religions as America. The growing capital of the world economy, Silicon Valley, is mostly run by immigrants and built by undocumented workers
• As we face competition with China, our diverse population is an advantage. We have people who know more languages, cultures, and parts of the world than the comparatively monolithic China, which is currently presiding over the largest concentration camps since those run by Nazi Germany in WWII
• Hate, intolerance, and bigotry, while definitely a part of American history, must have no place in our future. A strong nation is united by its love and concern for all citizens, and in its commitment to better the country for everyone
• Unlike in other countries, citizenship is not about race or other physical markers of identity in the United States. This is established by the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution. Anyone born or naturalized here is a citizen
• Although most people dismiss Christian Evangelicals, do communicate with them to listen to their thoughts and share what you think.

• Khutba Points and while teaching youth, some points to raise:

• America has always been able to liberate itself from tyranny and fear. This is the beauty of this nation and its people. Americans can and will do it again God willing, but it will take a willingness on the part of all citizens, Muslims and neighbors of other faiths, to repel hate with love
• Muslims can take heart in the fact that their struggle is not new and that today's model minorities were yesterday's bogeymen. African-Americans have suffered the worst but rose from the ashes of hate and bigotry to liberate America on the path of civil rights.
• Muslims, too, must pay their dues. But it has to start by being ready to truly free ourselves from fear — fear of speaking up, fear of standing up for ourselves, and fear of doing what all Prophets have always done, struggling to establish justice. And the nature of justice is that must be for all!
• Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was open to all people, even to those who worshipped idols, ridiculed him, and tortured him. He prayed for the Mercy of God for them and forgave them

Action items

• Pray for the safety of Ilhan Omar and the other three Congresswomen being targeted. We know from past experience that such hatred does not remain dormant. And Trump’s incitement can lead to violence. In April, a Trump supporter in New York was arrested for threatening to assault and murder Omar.
• Pray for President Trump, that God Almighty guides his heart to the right direction
• Spend more time listening to children, and hearing what their needs and fears are in this difficult time
• Run your family on the Shura (consultation) model. This makes everyone feel they are a valued part of the family, and that their thoughts, feelings, and opinions count. Communication is a two-way street. Even God says “remember Me, I will remember you” (Quran 2:152)
• Engage your interfaith partners. Have they issued a statement which can be read to their congregations regarding the attacks on Ilhan Omar? 
• Contact your government representatives and tell them you want them to speak up firmly against any and all bigotry coming from the government. That is their responsibility as your representative 

May God keep you strong. Seek strength with Sabr (patience) and Salat (prayer).  God controls the world, we don’t. But He will ask us what we did to change our situation for the better.

Peace

AMM