This webinar explores how radical editing can help mitigate the creation and perpetuation of harmful stereotypes. We begin by exploring one specific stereotype perpetuated by Canadian media and the resulting fear of the other. I define Islamophobia and explore how it is expressed in words and actions in Canada. I then provide the current legal definition of Islamophobia, link it to the legal definition of hate speech, and provide an overview of how it is expressed in Canada. We will explore a short list of harmful tropes used to represent Muslims in Canada and provide solutions for how to counter them. I use examples from social media, news reporting, and politician statements to show how language is used to control public sentiment. What can we do as professional editors to mitigate this harm? Are we censoring our authors by asking them to change their language choices?
By the end of the webinar, you will understand
· stereotype and myth in relation to Islam
· how to counter Islamophobia
· the difference between censorship and freedom of speech
· how to counter hate speech online
Amber Riaz
Amber Riaz works at Independent Evaluation Group, World Bank as an Editorial Assistant, where she supports the publishing team in preparing reports for publication and performing other administrative duties as needed. In addition, Amber edits academic books, journal articles, and dissertations/ theses mostly in the humanities and social sciences through her own freelance editing business—A4 Editing. Amber is a member of Editors Canada. She is passionate about matters of inclusion and diversity as they apply to the publishing industry and works hard to keep up with discussions about conscious language and its use in manuscripts. In her spare time, she loves to read fiction, knit, hike, and experiment with fusion cooking.