Amid the year's tragedies, signs of hope
Increased awareness of long-standing injustices led to acts of social solidarity
As the year winds down and I sit down to write my final column of 2020, I cannot help but reflect on this past year and the progress made toward making our society a better place.
I understand that for many people, progress may not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking of the year now drawing to a close. Dumpster fire may be more like it. But amid the pain and tragedies stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is worth recalling that this past year also brought social progress and reasons for hope.
Like a phoenix emerging from the ashes, positive — and it is to be hoped, lasting — change has emerged not only from the social solidarity displayed during this pandemic, but also in the wake of other terrible tragedies this year.
This past spring, the world witnessed the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. His name became synonymous with a call to action in solidarity with the Black community. The racism and discrimination faced by the Black community are not new; however, the impact that horrific video had on our collective moral conscience triggered action and what appeared to be new momentum for change.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people, but the silence over that by the good people.” While the Black community has been vocal about demanding change for ages, this was often dismissed as a Black issue when, in fact, it was and is a human issue. That's a significant shift that occurred this year. More and more other people are coming forward to stand in solidarity with the Black community. But racism is far from eradicated. Last week, the West Island Black Community Association held a meeting over Zoom. Within minutes, it was interrupted by racist trolls spewing hate and the N-word. There is no shortage of examples of how much work we still have to do as a society.
As a visibly Muslim public figure, I have faced more than my share of hate, and I know what it feels like to be othered. I refuse to allow that to define me. I will also refuse to remain silent in the face of injustice. This is why I have been increasingly vocal about standing in solidarity with the Black community and other marginalized communities. No one should be made to feel less than.
Another tragedy that seems to have moved the needle was the death of Joyce Echaquan, who had livestreamed from her hospital bed the racist slurs she was being subjected to by staff. As tragic, horrific and deeply saddening as it was, it highlighted the discrimination, racial-profiling and disturbing behaviour with which the Indigenous community has become far too familiar. It took the heartbreaking insults hurled at a dying woman to draw our attention to a reality so many have faced in silence. The incident sparked some positive steps from the Quebec government, and I want to think it woke up the public at least a little bit to the injustices facing Indigenous people.
So, where do we go from here? As the year winds down and our battle with COVID rages on, albeit with a vaccination now in the picture, it's an excellent time to take stock.
A strong sense of community has helped us meet the challenges of 2020. It is an ever-present force that has become the backbone of who we are as Canadians, from organizations such as Khalsa Aid and other aid groups stepping up to feed the homeless at Cabot Square to Montrealers cooking for homeless shelters every weekend.
Let's all resolve to do our parts to make 2021 a better, and more just, year for all.