The stain called ‘racism’

Being mocked or judged because of your appearance is a different kind of pain that no one should ever have to endure. Walking around with a target on your back as a result of your skin colour? Are we still fighting this fight?!

I don’t know about you but I cannot understand, my mind cannot fathom that racism is something that has ever existed in the first place. The idiocy of the world around and history that has pathed the way is something that makes me sick to my core.

This is a big statement and one I don’t make lightly, especially with all that we have walked through amidst the bushfires in Australia, droughts and this global pandemic called Covid-19; We’ve witnessed a great extent of pain and loss but black men and women being murdered for their colour, that really resembles hell on Earth.

Thinking of everything happening in America right now and the many news reports of innocent black lives being taken, it makes me sick and it has me looking back on my life and my journey in Australia. I’m so grateful for this beautiful, safe and multicultural country, however, we still have our flaws and unfortunately racism is a stain that isn’t easily removed, even here.

So here’s my story. I’m an Assyrian, born in Australia. My parents were born in Iran. I remember being so young and so aware of my differences, the weight I felt for being a Middle Eastern in Australia.

Racism against Middle Easterns is something that has been evident in Australia for years. In 1970 my dad moved here from Iran and had to deal with being bullied and picked on for his culture and he did what he could to avoid standing out. As soon as he was able to, he changed his name to something more “Australian”, as an attempt to blend in.

In 2005 a massive fight broke out in Cronulla, labelled The Cronulla Riots. It was between a group of “Middle Easterns” (thanks media) and a group of “Anglo-Australians”. I wonder what was said that day that spurred this massive outbreak. I felt like I was walking on egg shells for a long time following that and we did our best to stay away from suburbs that we knew weren’t as multicultural. Years later I was gutsy enough to venture back to Cronulla. I did everything I could to ensure I didn’t fit the racial stereotype but apparently there’s no hiding my nose, olive skin and dark hair. I remember a lady looked at us with such anger in her eyes and a body posture that was basically screaming the speech from Braveheart. She opened her mouth and I couldn’t help but laugh when she said “go back to where you came from”. Lady, I was born in Australia.

I hated high school. I remember one kid sitting next to me wrote a message on paper for his mate which read “she’s hairy” to a reply that said “wogs”. I kept my jumper on every day at school after that, even through summer, I didn’t want people seeing my hairy arms. I can recall wanting to make my hair lighter, get rid of all my body hair, chop my nose off, lighten my skin or change the way I spoke.

I spent so long trying to be anything but me. Attempting to fit in more or sound aussie by using words like “cheers” or “g’day” so as to not make anyone uncomfortable or avoid putting anyone on edge. I come in peace earthlings. I didn’t want to stand out. I didn’t want to be boxed as a wog, a trouble maker, loud, obnoxious, rude, I didn’t want people to look at me and be reminded of a terrorist. I was sick of people using the term wog in such a derogatory manner, hearing people whisper the term when walking by me or shouting it. If you think humanity has moved on and this is something of the past, well evidently that’s not the case, I experienced this 1 year ago.

Or to think of my brothers who because of their dark hair and beards have been targeted by the police from a young age, or fired from jobs, dismissed in the application process, seen as terrorists and labelled as trouble makers or when people assume your religious views because of your ethnic appearance.

I don’t write this for you to pity me, I’m actually in a great place in my life where I’ve found healing. I’m proud of who I am and proud of my ethnicity. I write this to remind you that this isn’t only happening in America. It’s happening all around you.

Take a moment to think about the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander community. The racism and discrimination they have had to endure is as sick and twisted as what is happening in America right now, the lack of protests and riots shouldn’t negate any of that.

Unfortunately this is the grim reality of the world around us. Racist, discriminatory and demeaning attitudes are deeply-rooted. It’s a contagious disease and one that can be spread to children, moving from generation to generation.

I’m so aware and intentional around my language right now and it honestly has me second guessing everything, including this blog and you know what, I’m loving the fact that this is something that is affecting me because it tells me there is hope for humanity. That apparently if we are smacked in the face with the obvious truth, somewhere along the way it will make us stop and think before we speak.

Racism is a hot topic right now and sadly it existed long before we begun hearing and seeing it all over the media. Racism and discrimination is something that happens everyday, no matter what country you reside in. White, yellow, olive, brown or black skin – racism is found in little jokes or careless statements.

Take a moment right now to look at yourself, press pause on judging all that is happening around you, as sick, twisted and evil as it is, but don’t avoid the stained truth staring at you. Have you ever thought or said things like: