reflections given by the community
These are a collection of reflections that have been submitted through our 'Contribute' page.
"Coming from the South Asian diaspora, it is often difficult to encapsulate a response to the current times in which we find ourselves, especially from a distance. Living in Australia, which is now home to the fastest growing migrant population of Indians in the country, it is bittersweet to note that this reality has not come without its struggles, especially looking back through the lens of time.
Growing up with parents who have spent most of their lives living in the villages of South India, it is an understatement to acknowledge that I stand on the shoulders of ancestral giants who provided a way of life that has been distinctly different from my parent’s upbringing overseas. However, living in Australia has not come without the sting of racism that often goes undetected under the radar of the wider society. As a child of migrants, schooling was quite difficult, adding to the difficulty of balancing an Indian heritage with an Australian assimilation to life as a local. Though racist remarks, belittling by bullies, and physical confrontation by teachers and students alike, the deeper issues of marginalisation and malignant isolation by peers and acquaintances led to the detrimental symptoms of ethnocentrism that began to show it’s colours later in life. Fast forward to the current times where cries of “black lives matter” fill the streets by both Australians at home, and Australians abroad, side by side with their comrades of a different colour and upbringing begs the questions of authenticity when it comes to the catchcry of
equality. We have participated for a moment in a movement that has been paved by pioneers we refuse to acknowledge.
The South Asian diaspora has always been on the forefront of issues of business, politics and education, not to mention philanthropic endeavours and community engagement; but when it comes to issues of racial equality and nonviolence, we become the unseen dissenters in a protest that we fail to recognise. The generational divide between our ancestors and our modern millennials seems to delve deeper into the history of our collective past. Looking through American history, however, it is surprising for most when we realise that our shared history with the African-American community is actually more apparent than we realise. From Indian activists with the Harlem NAACP in the 1930s, to the recently awarded head of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (America’s largest civil and human rights coalition) in 2017, South Asians have played their role in shaping policy and nonviolent protest movements amidst persecution for centuries.
But why is it that the same values of education and higher learning that every Indian espouses is the same virtue we shun when it comes to educating ourselves on our shared history with African-Americans? Why can we be so quick to call out the differences in our cultural heritage, when we share so much in solidarity with those outside of our ethnic community? How is it possible to laud the nonviolent protest movements of civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., but then turn a blind eye to participation in the same protest movement happening in our streets today? Perhaps these are questions we can answer with t time, but for the South Asian diaspora, it is time to act by listening to our brothers and sisters from the African-American community, embracing our similarities and looking beyond our differences, and learning from each others’ past. It is only by moving forward that we can appreciate our past and understand the importance of solidarity.
For South Asians everywhere, it is our time to speak up for the silenced." - Joseph F. Kolapudi
Growing up with parents who have spent most of their lives living in the villages of South India, it is an understatement to acknowledge that I stand on the shoulders of ancestral giants who provided a way of life that has been distinctly different from my parent’s upbringing overseas. However, living in Australia has not come without the sting of racism that often goes undetected under the radar of the wider society. As a child of migrants, schooling was quite difficult, adding to the difficulty of balancing an Indian heritage with an Australian assimilation to life as a local. Though racist remarks, belittling by bullies, and physical confrontation by teachers and students alike, the deeper issues of marginalisation and malignant isolation by peers and acquaintances led to the detrimental symptoms of ethnocentrism that began to show it’s colours later in life. Fast forward to the current times where cries of “black lives matter” fill the streets by both Australians at home, and Australians abroad, side by side with their comrades of a different colour and upbringing begs the questions of authenticity when it comes to the catchcry of
equality. We have participated for a moment in a movement that has been paved by pioneers we refuse to acknowledge.
The South Asian diaspora has always been on the forefront of issues of business, politics and education, not to mention philanthropic endeavours and community engagement; but when it comes to issues of racial equality and nonviolence, we become the unseen dissenters in a protest that we fail to recognise. The generational divide between our ancestors and our modern millennials seems to delve deeper into the history of our collective past. Looking through American history, however, it is surprising for most when we realise that our shared history with the African-American community is actually more apparent than we realise. From Indian activists with the Harlem NAACP in the 1930s, to the recently awarded head of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights (America’s largest civil and human rights coalition) in 2017, South Asians have played their role in shaping policy and nonviolent protest movements amidst persecution for centuries.
But why is it that the same values of education and higher learning that every Indian espouses is the same virtue we shun when it comes to educating ourselves on our shared history with African-Americans? Why can we be so quick to call out the differences in our cultural heritage, when we share so much in solidarity with those outside of our ethnic community? How is it possible to laud the nonviolent protest movements of civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., but then turn a blind eye to participation in the same protest movement happening in our streets today? Perhaps these are questions we can answer with t time, but for the South Asian diaspora, it is time to act by listening to our brothers and sisters from the African-American community, embracing our similarities and looking beyond our differences, and learning from each others’ past. It is only by moving forward that we can appreciate our past and understand the importance of solidarity.
For South Asians everywhere, it is our time to speak up for the silenced." - Joseph F. Kolapudi
"For those who are trying to explain the Black Lives Matter movement to their Muslim friends or family, I think it is important to note that social justice is one of the biggest foundations of Islam. In fact, some of Allah’s several names are “the giver of justice” or “the utterly just.” And as Allah’s “trustees” it is essentially our duty to be social advocates in our own communities. So, therefore, it is our duty as Muslims, and as human beings, to engage in discussions, educate ourselves, and take action against the systemic racism that Black people have experienced in this country for centuries.
Let’s address the Muslim demographic in this country. According to the Pew Research Center one-fifth of all Muslims in the United States are Black--half of which converted to the religion. Being a Muslim means that you are part of a community larger than yourself where you have the responsibility to care and look out for all your brothers and sisters of faith--a lot of whom are Black. Several Black people chose Islam as a lifestyle for themselves, and our community must choose to fight for them as well. That goes beyond just praying alongside them in the mosque, it means fighting for their lives by being actively anti-racist.
Another place to look may be within the text of the Quran or the sermons of Prophet Mohammad. The Quran itself calls for a deep appreciation of diversity in the lines “And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge [30:22].” This encourages us as Muslims to not only call for the protection of Black lives, but the celebration of Black lives. There is much to learn from people of all backgrounds, and during this movement we must remember to learn from and amplify Black voices. Also, in his last sermon, Prophet Mohammad stated, “A white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.” In his last ever sermon, our prophet was reminding us to condemn racism. But in this day and age, we must go further than just not be racist, we must be actively anti-racist.I believe the “good action” Prophet Mohammad was referring to is the fight towards equity which starts by calling out racism within our own communities so that we can uplift diverse voices--rather than tearing them down.
While the media has distorted the true beliefs of our religion, Islam is derived from the Arabic word “salam” which means peace. Therefore many Muslims may be questioning the validity of the rioting and protesting that is going on today. First, it is necessary to address that the media is manipulating footage to make the rioters seem much more violent than they are. (There are parallels in this to how Muslims are perceived in the media following 9/11. Remember the media does not always reveal the full truth.) Police sometimes initiate violent attacks, and rioters are blamed for defending themselves. On several occasions, officers have fired tear gas and rubber bullets into peaceful crowds, acting in blatant opposition to protestors’ First Amendment right to free speech. It is also important to remember that the intentions of this movement was not for Black people to simply spark violence. The police force have historically and consistently today been the instigators of violence toward Black and Brown communities since the institution of these systems.
Secondly, let’s look to the life of Prophet Mohammad. He spent a large portion of his later life engaging in wars, where lives were lost on both sides, in order to dismantle unjust and oppressive power structures. Although his overall message was of peace and justice, violence ensued. In the same way, Black Americans have been oppressed for centuries and are using riots to get the attention of lawmakers and their non-black counterparts to demand justice. Protestors across the world are doing exactly what Prophet Mohammad did—challenging harmful institutions of power. We must take time to respect and understand their methods of protest--and if possible, we must engage in protest alongside them.
Islam is a religion that centers around peace. But we must remember that without justice, there can be no peace. " - Suroor N
Let’s address the Muslim demographic in this country. According to the Pew Research Center one-fifth of all Muslims in the United States are Black--half of which converted to the religion. Being a Muslim means that you are part of a community larger than yourself where you have the responsibility to care and look out for all your brothers and sisters of faith--a lot of whom are Black. Several Black people chose Islam as a lifestyle for themselves, and our community must choose to fight for them as well. That goes beyond just praying alongside them in the mosque, it means fighting for their lives by being actively anti-racist.
Another place to look may be within the text of the Quran or the sermons of Prophet Mohammad. The Quran itself calls for a deep appreciation of diversity in the lines “And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge [30:22].” This encourages us as Muslims to not only call for the protection of Black lives, but the celebration of Black lives. There is much to learn from people of all backgrounds, and during this movement we must remember to learn from and amplify Black voices. Also, in his last sermon, Prophet Mohammad stated, “A white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action.” In his last ever sermon, our prophet was reminding us to condemn racism. But in this day and age, we must go further than just not be racist, we must be actively anti-racist.I believe the “good action” Prophet Mohammad was referring to is the fight towards equity which starts by calling out racism within our own communities so that we can uplift diverse voices--rather than tearing them down.
While the media has distorted the true beliefs of our religion, Islam is derived from the Arabic word “salam” which means peace. Therefore many Muslims may be questioning the validity of the rioting and protesting that is going on today. First, it is necessary to address that the media is manipulating footage to make the rioters seem much more violent than they are. (There are parallels in this to how Muslims are perceived in the media following 9/11. Remember the media does not always reveal the full truth.) Police sometimes initiate violent attacks, and rioters are blamed for defending themselves. On several occasions, officers have fired tear gas and rubber bullets into peaceful crowds, acting in blatant opposition to protestors’ First Amendment right to free speech. It is also important to remember that the intentions of this movement was not for Black people to simply spark violence. The police force have historically and consistently today been the instigators of violence toward Black and Brown communities since the institution of these systems.
Secondly, let’s look to the life of Prophet Mohammad. He spent a large portion of his later life engaging in wars, where lives were lost on both sides, in order to dismantle unjust and oppressive power structures. Although his overall message was of peace and justice, violence ensued. In the same way, Black Americans have been oppressed for centuries and are using riots to get the attention of lawmakers and their non-black counterparts to demand justice. Protestors across the world are doing exactly what Prophet Mohammad did—challenging harmful institutions of power. We must take time to respect and understand their methods of protest--and if possible, we must engage in protest alongside them.
Islam is a religion that centers around peace. But we must remember that without justice, there can be no peace. " - Suroor N