I got goosebumps reading this. We lived in a very white village near Ottawa for about 3 years and while I loved certain aspects of it, and while we didn’t endure any explicit racism there, being one of two hijabis in the whole town was overwhelming. And the revving engine trucks that come too close? One of my biggest fears, especially after a Muslim family was intentionally run over and killed by a truck driver in a nearby town a few years ago.
You are going to make me cry. Thank you 🙏🏾 for these words. Noha!! The trucks 🛻!! You don’t know how many times I told myself I am making it up in my head until I noticed I stopped doing the full circle loop 🔁 we like doing unless my husband was with me. I also don’t walk her late at night without him. I am like my safety instincts are on alert 🚨. This can’t be in my head.
When my parents and I moved to Ferguson, MO in the 90s, we were the first black family on our cul de sac. As soon as we moved in, most of our white neighbors moved out. Eventually the neighborhood grew with more black families. I've never heard my parents say our white neighbors were being so disrespectful that it made them uncomfortable, but they could identify that there were a few that were not as warm and welcoming.
Alex, thank you so much for sharing that. Honestly, ever since writing ✍🏾 this piece I have felt more at ease about the situation like taking the anxiety of it all out of my body and out to Substack like significantly reduced its hold on me. I’m not disillusioned and know the undercurrent is still there but I’m making sure it doesn’t destabilize me or take my peace away.
This is the power of our words as it relates to our own evolution and healing.
I’m thankful you’re claiming your space. You deserve to exist in your aliveness—joyfully and wholeheartedly. It’s beautiful to witness.
😭🥰😍👑 - THANK YOU SO MUCH ALEX! I appreciate you.
I got goosebumps reading this. We lived in a very white village near Ottawa for about 3 years and while I loved certain aspects of it, and while we didn’t endure any explicit racism there, being one of two hijabis in the whole town was overwhelming. And the revving engine trucks that come too close? One of my biggest fears, especially after a Muslim family was intentionally run over and killed by a truck driver in a nearby town a few years ago.
Thank you for writing this. I love your title too
You are going to make me cry. Thank you 🙏🏾 for these words. Noha!! The trucks 🛻!! You don’t know how many times I told myself I am making it up in my head until I noticed I stopped doing the full circle loop 🔁 we like doing unless my husband was with me. I also don’t walk her late at night without him. I am like my safety instincts are on alert 🚨. This can’t be in my head.
Your instincts know what’s up!! It’s not worth it.
A sundown town? This makes me tense up.
When my parents and I moved to Ferguson, MO in the 90s, we were the first black family on our cul de sac. As soon as we moved in, most of our white neighbors moved out. Eventually the neighborhood grew with more black families. I've never heard my parents say our white neighbors were being so disrespectful that it made them uncomfortable, but they could identify that there were a few that were not as warm and welcoming.
Alex, thank you so much for sharing that. Honestly, ever since writing ✍🏾 this piece I have felt more at ease about the situation like taking the anxiety of it all out of my body and out to Substack like significantly reduced its hold on me. I’m not disillusioned and know the undercurrent is still there but I’m making sure it doesn’t destabilize me or take my peace away.
This is the power of our words as it relates to our own evolution and healing.
Reading about the racism in your town breaks my heart. Your resilience despite adversity is truly inspiring. You deserve to thrive and be celebrated.
Thank you so much. I appreciated all the love today.