After an incident of tasteless manufactured outrage by the New York Post, Bodega owners across our neighborhood (and the city) finally had enough. Today Erik Shell sits down to interview friend of the podcast Rabyaah Althaibani, our local Yemeni community organizer, who has been assisting the Yemeni American Merchants Association in instituting a boycott of the New York Post in local bodegas.
We’ll discuss the origins of the boycott, how it impacts the First Amendment, and how much power and influence Yemeni-Americans have within the vast network of bodegas citywide. We also check back in with Rabyaah to discuss updates since her last visit, including the NOBAN act, President Trump’s veto of the resolution ending U.S. involvement in the Yemeni conflict, and the continuing impact of the Muslim Ban. We also will explore how the New York Post has long amplified fear and mistrust against the Arab community in Bay Ridge… and how that community is organizing to take back the narrative.
Show Notes
- Be sure to follow Rabyaah on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook!
- You can also read Rabyaah’s editorial in Buzzfeed. A few days after recording, she also unveiled her new political consultancy with Somia Elrowmeim, Arab Women’s Voice.
- Be sure to learn more about YAMA (Yemeni American Merchants Association) on their website, and check out their past events and upcoming actions.