Something not so mundane...

It’s been a while since I’ve gathered the courage to contribute here...

It’s been a while since I’ve been able to get my ideas together so what I say doesn’t sound like a rant...

AND

It’s been a while since I was called a racist name.

Yes fellow readers, indeed it is true. Welcome Mussafira to the current day and age where things are not necessarily what they seem...where appearances are often deceiving and where you should know better then to judge a book by its cover...

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of racism. I think living in the country and more importantly the city that I do, I’ve truly been blessed to have faced very little, if any such experiences at all throughout my childhood/teen years. This is especially significant, considering I’ve attended arguably some of the most Caucasian schools and classes in the multicultural metropolitan mega-city I call home. And perhaps what’s recently sheltered me away from any form of racism whatsoever is the extremely culturally diverse environment I found myself in for my undergrad. Here, the ‘visible minority’ was and is in fact the ‘visible majority’ as is happening in various cities across the world.

That being said, someone, somewhere and sometime ago told me that Racism is not very obvious, if you ever experience it, know that it’s actually quite subtle. For example, compare the following situation: being called DIRTY PAKI vs. Being the only one NOT invited to a party at work. No, no, that’s not a fair example, because oh wait, maybe they just ‘forgot’ to cc you on the invite email or maybe your email is still on its way. Better yet, maybe you’ve been there for only 6 months, so you’re actually quite the newbie and so yes OF COURSE the event co-ordinator forgot to invite you.

Maybe, but maybe not. Regardless, being called names is an OBVIOUS form of racism, whereas something like the scenario above could be a SUBTLE form of racism or a mere coincidence. Only God really knows. Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago, I experienced the former type of racism. Given the name-caller’s age and possible socio-economic status, it really did NOT surprise me, and I really should not have been effected at all. But truth be told, it got me thinking and I interestingly enough could not recall a single time in my life where I was discriminated against so openly like that (Alhamdullilah - all praise be to God). Perhaps what’s most interesting is that it happened in the very neighbourhood I have lived in for over 15 years. This neighbourhood, probably the only place I could ever call home, boasts signs of ‘Mosaic’ along the major commercial street, it has elected a city councillor who herself is probably a first or second generation citizen and many agree that it really is a truly multicultural area where most get along quite well.

So then why the name-calling? Should I be worried? Or will this young adult mature and become more professional and culturally-aware one day? Can I rationalize or legitimize his racial slur in any way?

Maybe, but maybe not. I guess only time will tell... In the meantime, I've been told that reminders are good for everyone, especially the believer, so here's a reminder for myself before you: "O men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware." - Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13)