The cartoon guide recommends that the bystander engage in non-confrontational behavior to diffuse a potentially unsafe situation for the person being harassed. It shows the bystander choosing to sit next to a woman in a hijab who initially appeared uncomfortable around a man leaning toward her on the bus.<\/p>\n
The cartoon\u2019s author, Maeril, encouraged onlookers to use the guide not only for diffusing Islamophobic harassment, but for any other type of harassment as well. Suzan El-Rayess, the civic engagement director at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe encourage all of our fellow Bostonians to apply the approach in these posters to anyone targeted \u2014 whether Muslim, Latino or otherwise,\u201d El-Rayess told the AP.<\/p>\n
Elise Whitney, 28, thought that the poster may have the opposite intended effect and attract more unwanted attention toward hijab wearers.<\/p>\n