In life we all have choices, lots of them. Who we interact with, and how, being a major one? However, where we are born, and to whom, we have no choice or control of, whatsoever.
Some of us are born into royalty and others into abject poverty. Some of us are born pinkishwhite and others with varying skin colours across a spectrum to dark brown – I must admit I don’t know anyone that is black or white yet that is the prevalent term to describe people!
Over the centuries our skin colour has dictated how we are treat. Which is downright wrong. But sadly, we cannot change the past and it is important for us recognise this. Nor should we try to erase the past. By doing so we will easily forget the wrongs onto others. Historical education helps us make sure we look to the past to plan a better future. Being born in Newcastle in the early 70’s to Pakistani parents, I had no choice in my colour. Over the decades I had to deal with the consequences. All I ever wanted was to be liked and I did everything I could to fit in. Being the last one to be chosen onto a team in school because I was the odd one out – a different colour to everyone else – made me become competitive. Suffering constant abuse throughout childhood certainly had its toll, but didn’t faze me and made me focus on being the best I could.
I started demonstrating from an early age that I could be good at schooling and various other extra curricula activities too. Showcasing my skills and strengths rather than being judged on my colour, creed or religion. Sadly, this experience hasn’t always been consistent and sometimes I had to disregard my heritage simply to fit in. My friends were predominantly White, and the area we lived in not so affluent. They would regularly call Asian people a “Paki” in offensive terms but then turn to me and say “not you Ammar, you are one of us”. I would grin and be happy at being accepted. Not realising that I should have been calling them out for being racists.
Throughout my life I have continued to experience prejudice and even outright systemic racism and tokenism. Being chosen for a position so that a box can be ticked, or not being chosen because a box wasn’t ticked, or simply being different. What is even worse, a lot of the time, people within these organisations are blind to the issues and don’t even know that it is happening. However, I am glad to say this is by exception. The vast majority want to change but still don’t know how.
The current climate and focus on discrimination should hopefully lead to a positive change in our society. However, for that to happen effectively, we need to take an approach of inclusion, understanding and respect for our differences. I cannot believe that even now the vast majority of policies are created at an arm’s length by individuals that have no experience of being the person they are trying to target. Whether that being gender, race of any other variant.
The North East is filled with passionate, persevering and positive people from a variety of backgrounds. We have worked and lived together for centuries, from Romans to Vikings, and Jocks and Geordies. Let’s all come together and focus on making our region prosperous. Let’s start by becoming colour blind and accepting each other for our value and worth.
