Actress Amanda Stephen plays Alison Abdullah, a black Muslim woman who represents one of several marginalized groups featured on the hit Netflix television show “Orange Is The New Black.”
Here’s what the actress, who doesn’t practice Islam in her personal life, says of her role:
— I’m proud to be playing Alison Abdullah, a black Muslim here in America. Any underrepresented group deserves to be represented. Entertainment and arts is supposed to be a reflection of society.
— Regina King playing a Muslim woman in ‘American Crime’ was really the first time I’d seen a modern black Muslim woman played, and it showed so many different layers of her.
— I think ‘OINTB’ tries to find the humanity and similarities among us all on this earth and try to find more empathy amongst ourselves. Having a black Muslim inmate is just saying, ‘Whatever your preconceived notions of black Muslims are, hey, this is her story.’ Maybe by seeing her story, you’ll start to think more about seeing a black Muslim lady walking down the street and think about what her story is.’
