Busy day today. Started with hot chocolate from Modern Coffee, followed by a trip to Azadi Manzil in Berkeley Hills to meet my dearest friend Huma. A delicious home-cooked lunch followed by apple pie and chai, and then a visit to Huma’s class (on Gender, Sexuality & Race in Global Political Issues) with 150 students, at Berkeley, where I got to speak about my activism and film work. Drive back to Oakland with Huma – got to catch up and view my art exhibition together – and then the screening of The Muslims I Know. Smaller audience but excellent Q&A with a wonderfully engaged group. A young woman wearing the hijab confirmed my observation that although Islamophobia is on the rise, many young American Muslims are proudly reclaiming their religious identity. The day ended with dinner at Chop Bar with my habibti Donna, who pulled all of this together with such love and grace. Tomorrow back to Rochester, where I look forward to reading Deema’s poetry.
