Foreword

In the 21st century, global realities permeate our daily lives. Going "off the grid" takes far more effort than simply being on it. And global doesn't necessarily mean far away. Local communications are increasingly multicultural as well, as communities in the U.S. and beyond grow more diverse.

The good news is that many of them are learning to adapt to these changes—and MSU and its partners are co-creating effective ways to do this. From Mohammed Ayoob, whose research offers a bridge to understanding the real, lived experiences of Muslims in the U.S. and around the world, to Geri Zeldes, who brings the stories of silent—and sometimes silenced—communities to a wider audience through documentary filmmaking, the investigators in this issue of The Engaged Scholar Magazine are all learning and sharing valuable lessons about the interfaces between and among the subcultures that together make up our society.

Diversity is a fact of life. Valuing inclusion is optional. But evidence that it is the only sustainable and equitable approach to coping with the social, technological, and economic complexities of life in the 21st century grows daily. For this reason Michigan State University has named inclusiveness as one of its three core values, along with quality and connectivity. As Paulette Granberry Russell says in her essay for this issue, "Full Participation, Nothing Less": "We challenge you to think differently about your work, about each other, and about your role in the global community". We hope you enjoy this issue of The Engaged Scholar Magazine.

Linda Chapel Jackson
Editor