UK Racist/Anti-Islam Riots

Before I am a business owner, chronically ill, South Asian (Pakistani), Muslim I am also a human. Even if the world doesn’t see me as one, especially the country I was born in. The world that I have been fortunate enough to travel across, I now find myself questioning where is home. To wake up to messages of acid attacks, rumours of where the extremists are gathering is something I grew up experiencing. We would seal the letter boxes just in case and try to blend in. When lets face it, during South Asian Heritage Month it couldn’t be more ironic. There are organisations who celebrate the easy stuff, but won’t have the tough conversations.

We witness time and time again ‘inclusion’ whilst the real challenge is racism. I know people walk away from these conversations, but 6 year-old Shehla remembers having the ‘P’ word used against her and spat on. So I will always feel a certain way about it. When my experiences are met with ignorance and further hate, it shows how much work there is to do.

-So check-in with your Brown and Black friends

-Speak with your employer and work adjustments

-Do not use this time to trauma dump on your POC friends

-Stay safe

-There will be some good but we have to be honest with ourselves first. It’s 2024, and I am in a lockdown due to the colour of my skin and religion.

Thinking of those who have been killed during the Anti-Racism fights including:

-Altab Ali

-Blair Peach

-Anyone who has experienced ‘P’ Bashing & attacked because of the colour of their skin.

-Shehla (tired child of immigrants)