By: Anshala Mathew

26th June, 2020

As you know, 2020 hasn’t been that great so far, after all, it has just been quarantine, forest fires, riots and more, you name it! Clearly, our world has taken a turn, i’m sure most of us have gone into a dark empty space of realization, where our eyes have been opened to today’s issues. Let’s be honest, this is not how we imagined this year going. I mean, this year was supposed to be great for me…starting from finishing boards to graduating, but it’s hard to really cherish my own life, when I know that many people in this world aren’t having the freedom to live their own…

We all know the recent introduction of the movement,  #BlackLivesMatter that was first introduced back in 2013. Well, the whole ‘color of skin’ conflict is definitely a controversial topic, and is something that many of us fail to pay attention to, and fully understand the concept of, in order to be able to rightfully make opinions and judgments for a movement like this.

To begin with, I live in the UAE, and I personally have never experienced any racism against anyone for their skin color, and hence I can’t say I know much about this movement, however, as a High School Student, I’m willing to get to know more about these issues, and educate myself in a way that helps me contribute to a change for all victims of racism by starting with the smallest things I can do, starting with the simplest thing ‘acceptance’. With, the current happenings in places such as America, for whom this movement has been strongly instilled for, having native citizens of different skin colors has just driven people to establish a mindset of what we call, ‘The follower Mindset’.

If you think about it, would there be any stereotypes that were set against white people or even black people that led to issues such as racism, if people decided to stand by what’s right, despite these stereotypes. This is why this movement is a cause of the ‘follower mindset’; ‘you don’t like a black, then I won’t.’ ‘You don’t like a white, then I won’t.’ Won’t you agree with this?

This is where we humans fail, we fail to understand that we, each, have a brain, and even if we were ‘aware’ that we had one, we aren’t aware, of what it’s capable of doing. Our brain is the most complex organ in our body, we have it for a reason, all we need to do is ask it a question, “Am I doing the right thing, or am I doing what others’ need me to do”, and it will help you process what your heart wants. Now in the case of, if your heart was selfish, care-free, inhumane, there is no way your brain will process the right decision for you, no doubt! However, lucky for us people, unlike the brain, the heart ain’t a machine, it isn’t programmed. It was installed into are bodies, to let us program it in a way that allows us to do what we want. That brings me to my next point that, if you choose to do wrong, then your heart grants it, but if you choose to do good, your heart will also grant it, and thus, in a movement like this, this statement, is what determines whether you stand against or for the issue.

Despite there being many people who are against this movement, there are many people who are standing up to this movement and are really making a change, that is very much appreciated by many who are facing a tough time during this crisis. I know, that not everyone has the right amount of power to be able to cause a certain change and make an influence, but remember there is so much that we can do, even from our own homes, such as by simply signing a petition. Some of you may be supportive of this whole cause but deem that even signing a simple petition isn’t going to make a change, now that’s where you’re wrong. Look, I know that we are just ordinary people, and we can’t do much, but signing that petition form, holds power in it itself, it isn’t just a piece of paper, but a sign of ‘togetherness’ and all the hard work that people all around the world have put into this movement shows how we can all come together to fight for justice and for freedom, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”.

This movement, has clearly been for all the people of the ‘black skin’, but don’t perceive this movement, as a fight for only them, but this is a fight for all racism and discrimination despite the skin color. If there is anyone out there who is struggling and facing any of this, please reach out to them and help them, because we are standing up for all people, so don’t leave them to drown in a pool of suffering , because as people, whom have been given so much freedom in the world, we should use it to do good, not shut each other down to show the world our superiority.

In conclusion, rather than seeing bodies as ‘opaque’ and judging them by their skin color, see their bodies as ‘translucent’ and understand who they are on the inside, and then you will understand , no matter how some people can be of the same color, doesn’t make them all the same. So don’t make false opinions and judgments against anyone, despite their race, color, disability etc. for we all have been given the opportunity and right to life here on Earth, and hence, we all have freedom to live our lives the way we want to, so instead of holding up a gun to someone’s head, give your hand instead, and ensure that they shouldn’t have to be afraid of you, because you are here for them, and that all of us who do good together, stay together!

#BlackLivesMatter

#WhiteLivesMatter

#AllLivesMatter

“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist. We must be Anti-Racist”

-Angela Davis

Keep smiling ya’ll- Anshala

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