Community member, parent and outreach director for The Rural Digital Youth Resiliency Project
Saba recalls the day after the Christchurch shooting in New Zealand, sitting with family and friends, processing the news from across the globe that hit close to home in West Virginia. She describes a shift in what she calls her naiveté and trust, her growing awareness of anti-Muslim sentiment online and in the region, and a new understanding of how online hate and manipulation makes the leap from meme culture to real-world violence. Matter-of-fact, resolute and determined to remain optimistic and active in her community, Saba turns her efforts toward programs and outreach to help susceptible and targeted youth in Appalachia.