Blog post by Rosa Martinez-Cuadros, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain and Alberta Giorgi, University of Bergamo, Italy
 
When considering ‘Islam’ and ‘feminism’ in Europe, people often think to the topics of migration, terrorism, and related narratives of women’s oppression within ‘Islam’ and opposition between ‘Islam’ and ‘Europe’. These narratives have been fuelled by the rise of far-right movements and Islamophobic discourses that associate ‘Islam’ with chauvinism, or male dominance. Additionally, European feminist movements are traditionally secular, with a long story of opposition to, and emancipation from, religion (Christian religion, more specifically): hence, religion, including Islam, is often primarily framed as a context of oppression for women.
 
This creates a complex environment for activist Muslim women living in Europe, especially those who aim to be engaged in civil society organizations and local politics. In this context, how do activist Muslim women respond to these challenges? Do they identify as feminists?

Blog post by Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon, USA

As an Indigenous scholar of race and ethnicity, I have struggled to find a place for who I am within the field. I studied race and ethnic studies as an undergraduate, but the curriculum focused on Black/African Americans, Asian Americans, White Americans and Latinos/Hispanics/Chicanos. I chose term paper topics and presentations that centered on Alaska Native (Indigneous) people to bring us into the conversation. My honors thesis on Arab American racism post-9/11 was another effort to highlight underrepresented populations.