Zahra Billoo

Name: Zahra Billoo Location: San Francisco, CA American, Pakistani, litigious, feminist, hippie, anarchist Muslim.

A little about me

I am a California native, and a civil rights attorney. In 2009 I joined the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation's largest American Muslim civil rights organization.

I would describe myself as a

blogger

Why I deserve a Netroots Nation Scholarship

Sometimes it feels like I'm always putting out a fire, in this line of work. A scholarship to Netroots Nation will enable me to connect with other like minded activists and get a grasp on the variety of available tools needed to increase the work I do. It's about moving from reactive to proactive.

I manage these blogs

Cwzy Muslima

What first inspired me to get involved

I was the subject of an online attack, following my involvement in promoting a protest. This made it clear that I couldn't sit back and watch when it came to social media. What followed was a personal commitment, to never neglect the capacity to take action online.

How I've gotten others involved

I've explained to others in workshops as well as in seminars that the blogosphere is one market where they have as much control as they choose to invest in. It's a very empowering avenue.

The blog post I am most proud of

http://cwzymuslima.blogspot.com

Why I think participation in the blogosphere is important

The blogosphere is the new marketplace of ideas.

More about my volunteer work

I volunteer with legal aid organizations, in addition to my work at CAIR. These commitments include pro bono consultation with community members and on civil rights cases, and speak frequently on issues of civil rights as they relate to American Muslims post-9/11.

My Twitter manifesto on online activism

Online activism is a tool, it is not an ends. It works because it connects people who may not otherwise be networked allowing for better synergy.

My suggested bumper sticker slogan

Fight racism, breed hybrids.

My idea for a cool new online action

Imagine being able to track and manage civic engagement across the board, and the varying responses on different issues, all in one place.