As I have mentioned in previous articles, I recently moved back to Canada from the Middle East. I seem to have moved back from one region in turmoil to another region in turmoil now that Idle No More has kicked into high gear.
Being in both places has challenged some of my understanding of my place in the world. In the Middle East, I felt like I was seen by some as part of a colonizing entity that forced its way into the lives of Middle Easterners, created borders that weren’t wanted, and just generally made a mess of things.
Now that I am back in Canada, I feel like some people in this country see me the same way.
It takes the wind out of one’s sails to be seen as someone who has a negative impact on the world because of events they didn’t cause and had nothing to do with. Should any of us be judged because of what our ancestors have done? Should anyone be treated differently because of their skin colour, regardless of what that colour is?
When we refuse to see someone for who they are, and instead attach a label to them, we hurt ourselves and others. And, I do have to admit, although it may sound rather silly, it does hurt whenever I see anyone— including myself—treated differently because of their skin colour. We were all just born where we were, when we were, the colour we are. We played no role in the world before the moment we were born. We didn’t choose to be part of any system, social, political, or what have you. We are just born and grow up, living life the best we can.
Sometimes it does feel darn depressing to look around the world and see that so many people are focused on each other for the wrong reasons. Like almost everyone, I mean no one any harm. I believe in social justice. I believe in human rights. I believe in equality. I am not against people based on their social standing, their skin colour, or their nationality. And I don’t think it’s fair for me to feel guilty because of what happened in the past.
All day on Jan. 11, the day of the big meeting between Prime Minister Harper and the First Nations chiefs brave enough to meet with him while Idle No More protests continued, I felt that some people were expressing overwhelming hostility towards many parts of what I am, and who I am in their eyes. I saw a sign that said, “Treaty Rights, Not Greedy Whites.” Am I a greedy white? Does my skin colour place me in a category I really don’t wish to be defined by?
We live in a time when people are trying to define themselves and rise above stereotypes. Aboriginal peoples are working to defy some of the negative stereotypes aimed toward them in our society, and rightfully so. The LGBT community is fighting for its rights and trying to defy damaging stereotypes, and rightfully so. Muslims are trying to shake stereotypes, and rightfully so. Now, when it comes to my identity, do I have the ability to stand up against stereotyping and labels?
To sum things up, I do not wish to be defined by my skin colour, my sexuality, my background, my ethnicity, or my economic or social status. I wish to be defined as a human being. As a human, I am—just like everyone else—a complex person with many layers. I wish this to be recognized and understood. I do not want to be lumped in with any particular group without my consent. I wish to be seen as a person. I wish to define myself. I wish to be seen as whom I am, not what others wish I be seen as for their own purposes. Deep down, I believe that is really what we all want. Why should any of us be different?
