Essence magazine is celebrating their 47th anniversary by
Sarsour was very “woke” in her video comments for Essence explaining, “woke for me is just being outraged all the time and being able to stay human and feel outraged about injustice that is happening around me.”
The twelve cover women were part of Essence’s #Woke100, an “inaugural list of female creators, activists, educators, journalists, politicos and thinkers who are socially conscious and vigilant about changing our nation for the better.”
Sarsour has been called out in the past for defending Sharia law on Twitter, calling it both “reasonable” and “misunderstood.”
Sharia Law is misunderstood & has been pushed as some evil Muslim agenda. ?? Some Muslims r oppressors for sure https://t.co/7EaWdveeLN
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) April 10, 2016
@LaRebelleFleur shariah law is reasonable and once u read into the details it makes a lot of sense. People just know the basics
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) September 22, 2011
We are worried about Sharia Law taking over the country? #HobbyLobby ruling shows there's something more to fear and Islam isn't it.
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) June 30, 2014
She drew criticism from Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik for her comments on Israel. In an interview with The Nation, Sarsour argued that “ you either stand up for the rights of all women, including Palestinians, or none.”
"As a feminist Zionist, I can’t believe I am being asked to choose or even defend my religious, historical and cultural identity.” Bialik wrote. “The ‘left’ needs to reexamine the microscope they use to look at Israel, and we all need to take a step back and remember we are stronger together: women, men, lovers of peace, and lovers of freedom and justice."
The other recipients featured in Essence’s #Woke100 include Alabama abortion doctor Yashica Robinson and Scandal writer Shonda Rhimes, a Planned Parenthood board member who is receiving an award for her positive portrayal of abortion in the show.