People of Colour (2020)

To my friends who are speaking out against discrimination,
. . . I hear you.
I appreciate you using your voice for those who have none.
Know that your voice helps, and that this problem is worth fighting.
We must not tolerate intolerance.
Systemic racism is real, the reality is painful, and the pain is exhausting.

I’m tired too.

When I was 6 years old, I learned martial arts to protect myself against bullies who targeted me for the way I look.
My black belt got rid of the bullies but my dark skin never got rid of the demons.
I’ve accepted that I am inferior in this society.
I’ve tried fairness creams and worn long sleeves in the sun but the darkness won’t go away.

When I was 19 years old, I left my home country for the first time.
Having traveled the world, I still get jarred by developed countries.
How do people not realize that their lifestyle is being supplied by sweatshops in third world societies?
Why is “fair trade” not just expected?
How do museums justify their foreign artifacts?
Why are the exploited expected to forgive their oppressors even though slavers and colonizers have not tried to fix their damages?

When I was 21 years old, I learned to be myself around white people without feeling self-conscious.

Today, I’m 30 years old and I’m fortunate to have close friends of every colour.
But I still collect awards and certifications to fill a gap in my ego that widens with every disdainful look.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come but I’m still not proud of who I am.
I don’t discuss colour because I can’t deal with it.
I get worked up before the words flow, to the extent that my own emotions stifle my ability to articulate them.
In our society, the colour of my skin makes me inferior and I’ve accepted it.
However, I refuse to accept it for others.

My inferiority complex pushes me to make sure that no child grows up believing they’ve already been assigned their place in society.
My social cause is Equal Opportunity for the same reason as Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ Pride.
Although each of us has our own cause, we can still show solidarity with those who share our values.
Justice needs guardians just as oppression has its enforcers.
After all, it takes all of us to make a difference.

Make a difference.

To my friends who are speaking out against discrimination,
. . . please let this be just the beginning.
Please keep the conversation flowing, and remember that your words are only as strong as your actions.
Yes, your words can change people’s minds,
. . . but only actions can change our ways.
So don’t sign your petition and walk away.
Your privilege will protect you,
. . . so stand your ground.

Make your actions felt and your voice heard.

To my friends who are standing up against discrimination,
. . . thank you.
You are the change we need to see in the world.

#icantbreathe