Muslim Youth Voices

(static hissing) (music playing on TV) MAN (on TV): Tonight on "The Newsroom," we are discussing, "Are Muslims too comfortable in America?"

- There goes the media again.

WOMAN (on TV): They're, like, shooting everywhere.

Are we even safe here?

- Why does it always have to talk about this?

It's not real Islam.

MAN (on TV): Oh, really?

- Yeah, really!

That's not Islam!

MAN (on TV): Okay, then prove it.

- Yeah, fine, let's go.

We are collecting clothes for the homeless.

For me, this is what Islam is about.

Doing charity for the less fortunate.

Because we love for others what we love for ourselves.

I don't know why people think Muslim girls are oppressed.

Clearly we're strong and we can ball.

This woman just got a call from Somalia.

Her son just passed away in a U.S. drone strike.

(speaking native language) MAN (on TV): That's sad.

- I'm a normal high school student.

I get As and Bs in English and history.

MAN (on TV): What about math?

- Eh, not my favorite.

(man laughs) - Keep on laughing and I'm gonna unplug you.

MAN (on TV): No, don't!

Please.

- Most victims of terrorism are Muslims themselves.

For example, Palestinians are facing Israeli occupation and getting terrorized in their own land.

How do you think that makes them feel?

MAN: You respect me, and I'll respect you.

If you can't respect me, then I'm gonna have to get you...

GIRL: We are young creative people that just want to express ourselves.

And where I'm from, we're known as the Land of the Poets.

(applause and cheering) So, what do you think?

MAN (on TV): Yeah, it's good and all, but I'm not going to change.

- But, but I just showed you the truth!

MAN (on TV): I don't get paid to tell the truth.

I'm just here to make money.

- Wow, I just wasted my whole day with you?

You know what?

I don't even need you.

I can share my own story.

(static hissing)