Our 7 Neighbors: Religion and Resistance in America · InterReligious Institute at Chicago Theological Seminary

Season 1: Ep. 2: Acting Local

·34 min·3 clips

Kim Schultz hosts a podcast that challenges feel-good pluralism by examining hard-won religious diversity in America.

This episode explores how local religious communities build resilience and foster interfaith cooperation in diverse American settings. Host Kim Schultz introduces three guests working at the intersection of faith and community action. The featured individuals are Okolo Rashid, Mayor Ted Terry of Clarkston, Georgia, and theologian Susan Thistlethwaite. The conversation begins with Okolo Rashid, an African American Muslim woman and co-founder of the International Museum of Muslim Cultures in Mississippi. Rashid details establishing America's first museum dedicated to Islamic history and culture. She describes facing significant challenges, including racism and Islamophobia, while doing this work in the Deep South. The episode then shifts to Clarkston, Georgia, introduced as the most diverse square mile in the United States. Mayor Ted Terry explains the city's policies and community approaches that foster this environment. The narrative includes a segment on Rashid's daughter, Asila, who founded a progressive millennial Muslim organization called Muslim Mix in Georgia. The episode concludes with a theological analysis from Susan Thistlethwaite and Rabbi Dr. Rachel Mikva, who connect these local stories to broader themes. A key insight is the museum's founding as a direct response to the lack of understanding about Islam after the 9/11 attacks. Rashid's work demonstrates how cultural institutions can combat prejudice by educating the public. The episode highlights the tangible outcome of Clarkston's welcoming policies, which have made it a major refugee resettlement hub. A memorable moment is the description of Asila Rashid's Iftar event with Muslim Mix, illustrating intergenerational activism within a single family. The theological reflection frames local activism as a powerful, often overlooked form of religious and civic engagement. The tone is inspirational and educational, blending personal narrative with community case studies. The style is conversational, moving smoothly between host narration, guest interviews, and reflective commentary. Listeners interested in grassroots interfaith work, community organizing, or stories of religious minorities in America would find this episode compelling. Those seeking theological debate or purely academic analysis might find its practical, story-driven focus less engaging.

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