Some of you have asked why I am making a fuss about the racist attack on my sister, my friend and me from a few days ago. So I am sharing my Facebook status of a couple of days ago to explain what I'm hoping to achieve:
In the last 48 hours, the sheer number of the messages of support, love and concern that I've received following that horrible racist attack on Sunny, our friend & me has reminded me that I am privileged to count some wonderful people as friends and family. People from all around the world have reached out to express their shock, their support, their regret, and their love. For that, I am grateful.
Bringing my assailant to justice is just one part of it; making sure that the Met Police change their behavior when confronted by such an incident is more important for me. I am privileged enough to have a voice, to be the "right" kind of person whose concerns can get airtime & attention, and it is my duty to make sure that the next time someone calls the police after being attacked they are treated with more compassion and sensitivity.
There is another element in these messages, though, that worries and deeply upsets me; that so many people's messages included their own experiences of suffering racist abuse, whether in London, in the UK, or in other parts of the world. It infuriates me that this is something that people I love & care about have had to experience. It angers me that so many messages suggest that "this is just the way of the world." And it reinforces my resolve to not let this slide.
And finally, as someone with a voice, it's also my duty to make sure that I challenge the sort of vile discourse currently playing out in the UK media, where immigrants are being demonised and racial hatred is being legitimized through the comments of all major political parties. Because to stay silent in the face of injustice is to be complicit in it.
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