We are all racists. And we can all change.
Anti-Black racism is real. Much has happened and is happening around us after the world witnessed the horrific lynching of one 6 foot man, a former football player, a college graduate and a father of a little girl named Gianna who could have easily overtaken the man who murdered him, if not for the clothing of his killer — clothing that represented authority and power given to him by the state - by us. He was known as Big Floyd for his big personality. Big Floyd said he could not breathe, remembered his dead mother and passed away in front of our eyes. We are haunted by this image of pure evil, where the inconspicuous and basic act of breathing was taken away. One question refuses to leave my mind and spirit since I saw this image weeks ago. If I saw this happening what would I have done? In broad daylight — witnessing an asphyxiation in progress, in front of our very own eyes. Have you wondered, what would you have done? Call the Police?
This is not new. In Canada, the 2019 arrest of a teen in Whitby, Ontario, the neck-to-the-knee can be witnessed. While Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that there is not much to worry about in terms of racism in the province, the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged that systemic racism exists. We must acknowledge there are inequities with Black and Indigenous peoples disproportionately in the line of fire. Chantal Moore, a 98-pound Indigenous woman was shot 5 times recently in New Brunswick by police. A mother of a 5-year-old, whose boyfriend called the police to check-in on her. Or Soleiman Faqiri a Muslim man with mental illness who died while incarcerated in Lindsay, Ontario in 2016, after 11 days of solitary confinement and the family still has no clear answers. The stories keep happening over and over again.
But what do we do about all this? How can we overcome this and not succumb to the paralysis of trauma or the fear of saying something wrong. Yes, we need to dismantle these systems of structural racism but some of us may be new learners in this scary terrain. We want to learn but fear offending others. We must look inside and muster the courage. We have to do it. There is no other way. As a BIPOC woman who visibly identifies as a Muslim of South Asian heritage, I navigate and negotiate my identity every single day. And I have a lot to learn.
I am reminded of a message that is important to my practice of faith. Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him (implied for both him/her) change it with his hand (action); and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue (speech); and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart (silent disapproval) — and that is the weakest of faith (not enough, but a start).” Do something, say something, or feel it in your heart. This tells us that oblivion is not an option. For the one who does not even think about it because they are too wrapped up in their own privileges, safety and comfort, this would be the weakest of humanity.
But what can we do? Here are some simple things that we can do to move forward. Just the basics.
Get to know people and pay attention to their experiences: Early in my career, I was privileged to work very closely with a junior colleague who was a young Black woman. We both worked in a large reception area, where we were both available to receive incoming visitors. Sometimes, I could see the difference in how they approached her as opposed to me (I did not wear a hijab at that time). I would also see her recoiling immediately to any micro-aggression (this word did not exist then), but she would bounce right back. She had to — she did not have a choice. I respected her resilience. Sometimes, patrons on the phone could hear her accent and they would give her a hard time, but when I got on the phone as her “supervisor” with my “Canadian accent” all was well. She knew what was happening and so did I. While sharing the space for a year, we got to know each other and I learned about her Black experience close-up and witnessed it first-hand too. I admired her tenacity to her future goals as she worked full-time, while studying part-time with a heavy course load towards her University degree, financially supported her aunt in Canada and a single mother and younger brother overseas.
Be open to others and build relationships. Be open to other people’s experiences from their perspective. Tap into your empathy. We all have it (well maybe not psychopaths). Dig deep. According to the 6 habits of highly empathetic people , we must develop a child-like curiosity to learn about people and the world around us. If you are a parent, you know what I mean. I saw the world for the second time through my children’s eyes and it was more beautiful then I had ever noticed it before. Use these same eyes to learn about the experiences of injustice and racism of people around you. You will experience new emotions, and tap into a realm of human experience that you did not know was in you.
Reset your mind: Unlearn and Relearn. We have been endowed with intellect that is powerful. It allows us to think critically and deeply. But it is a muscle that we need to exercise. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I don’t mind being asked about my practices, but I do mind if it comes from a place of judgment and derisiveness. There is a plethora of shows, movies, documentaries, books and articles available at our fingertips. Watch, read and unlearn. Change your space — if you are a teacher, be open to new sources of information and listen to your students’ differing point of view; if you are a manager, pay attention to unconscious bias in hiring and managing practices; if you are a business owner, consider your customers and your products; if you are a parent, consider the power in your hands to change the future through your children.
Do something. Anything. But do it with respect. Don’t speak for others, but provide spaces so that they can speak for themselves. Share your privilege. We all have privileges — recognize and share. Dashanne Stokes, an activist states that “privilege is not knowing that you are hurting others and not listening when they tell you”.
Hate and racism sees no boundaries. It is evident when Dakota Holmes a young Indigenous woman was punched in the face for all but sneezing because of her allergies. While assaulting her face, he accused her of bringing COVID-19 and said she should go back to Asia. Her dog came to her rescue. Or like NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and more recently his brother Member of Provincial Parliament Gurratan Singh were targets of Islamophobia. As a visible Muslim woman with a hijab I am painfully aware of the increase in hate crimes against Muslims and particularly Muslim women, who were targeted for assault within the increasing religion based (50% ) hate crimes reported.
While 2020 has started tumultuously for the world, with plane crashes and pandemics, this may be our moment to turn things. Let us seize this moment in history. If we aspire to the ideal of the words “None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself” (Muhammad, PBUH), then we cannot be complacent.
It is time to clean up, love and shine!
