While countless numbers of people the world over (black as
well as white) far removed from the immediate vicinity of George Floyd's death are
out in the streets, getting together in halls and social media platforms pushing
for justice and an end to the clearly racist killing of black people in the
world’s most famous democracy, there are some who think this is the time to
remind us that we’ve got problems too and must focus on those. Others choose to
say “but, oh there are some good white people too”.
Well, to be honest with you, if had not had the opportunity
to be invited by my partner to attend an event organized by Americans (black
and white) born and or living in Sierra Leone to seek justice for George Floyd's death and the deaths of so many black people in the hands of the police, I might have ignorantly been among
these people who think we should focus on our own problems and remind people
about my ‘good’ white people experiences. Even though my partner (who’s Sierra
Leonean American) in so many conversations explains how blatant and pervasive
the reality of race is, I never grasped its seriousness and effects as I did this pas weekend. The list of countless names of black people killed by the hands of
police in 2015 alone couldn’t fit the two large-sized papers displayed on the pillar! The
event was a blasting realization of my ignorance about race, helped me
recollect the moments I have experienced racism (here in my own country). But
above all, I learned from the many people who expressed their sadness about
this injustice.
After a 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence (this was how
long those three white police officers were kneeling on George’s neck back and
knees) and calls for justice, a microphone (wiped clean every time btw to avoid
spread) was passed around for attendees (seating 6 feet away from each other)
to express their views on the matter of race in America. Many people spoke,
expressing their encounters with racism in America, their constant worries
about their children, of their brothers being arrested (the stereotype that
black men are a threat), their experiences in American embassies being yelled
at under the sneering looks of white people scrutinizing their fit to get US
visas, the experiences of a black girl being told by her white friend that they
could no longer play together because her white parents say they can’t play with
the black girl etc. etc. I had something to say myself at the moment, to remind
them about how they could start making a change here in Sierra Leone (where a
lot of racism exists) but I didn’t need to say it, they all knew. Instead my
chattering muffled away and I finally started to listen, intently.
People where not just being sad and grumbling by the way, they were suggesting ways to tackle this important matter. In my broad recollection of their
contributions, the solution is two part; work hard to actively participate in
voting to put the right people in the right places as those elected will eventually
be making the laws. Second, become aware of racism in your home, in your
parenting, and in your workplace and stop and correct racist acts (small and
big) directed towards anyone – shame racism everywhere you see and feel it
(both in your words and in your actions). One key thing I also learned was the
importance of not patronizing the ‘oppressor’ – who are clearly the white
people condoning and promoting racism and benefiting from its privileges.
Among the many suggestions, one that I really liked was from one lady who showed us a book of values she put
together that she uses with her children to teach them about values such as respect
and love for everyone. I think this was beautiful and profound since children
get schooled into racism and accepting (if not participating) in it during childhood
in their own families.
So, my word to you is this, Sierra Leone has its many problems some
old some new including Covid-19. But we should never detract attention from a
matter of such importance by drawing these parallels. It is not that these
problems are not real and affecting us, but drawing these parallels will only
serve to take attention from this big problem our society faces. We as African, should actually know better…
Shame racism everywhere you see and feel it.
Thank you all for enlightening me about racism…
Thanks,
Alusine Barrie.
This touched me and I have learnt a lot. I remember my training at Grow Salone where trainers asked us to write down our values and paste them in our room; to remember and reaffirm what truly matters.
ReplyDeleteThanks Foday. You're right, it's shoclking how we school children about what to and what not to value in the micro space of the home.
ReplyDelete