This fear is one of the motivating factors that drove Maryam to actively work to counter the racialization of Muslims. Maryam volunteered for a few Muslim organizations in the Chicago area that did work to dismantle the stereotypes of Muslims, such as by hosting community events and lectures on Islam. As a mother of young children, she was compelled to do this work to ensure her children would grow up in a society that accepted their religious identity. But this work did not come without a cost: "It's been a big source of stress for me. I think it's been a big source of stress for a lot of people." Volunteering is time-consuming.

Saher Selod, Forever Suspect_ Racialized…, loc. 412