BALANCE_WINTER_2024 - 42

" I use my
experience of
Islamophobia
to create
change "
Yamina Bibi, 37, is a
British Bangladeshi
deputy head teacher and author from London who
creates safe and inclusive spaces for pupils
" Going to school in the east end of London in the 90s, I
faced a lot of racism as a visibly Muslim girl wearing a
hijab. The other kids would try to pull it off my head and
call me names. Teachers dismissed my ambitions, saying
things like 'Well, you'll probably just be a mum, won't
you? That's what you guys do.'
" After 9/11, there was a definite shift from racism to
outright Islamophobia. The insults changed from 'I can
smell curry' to calling me a terrorist or a bomber. One day,
I was sitting quietly on the bus back from school and
without saying a word, a girl who was waiting to get off just
turned and spat straight in my face. Not one person helped
me. But I also did nothing. I didn't feel safe telling teachers;
to this day I could cry when talking about these incidents.
" Once I became a teacher, I wanted to create safe spaces
where pupils felt protected and supported. One child was
confident enough to come out to me as gay - I find that
very moving. Years later they got in touch to say, 'Because
you talked about how you faced discrimination, I felt safe'.
" I'm now a consultant for schools working on inclusion,
equity and equality. Yes, I do face adversity but my faith is
so much more than my visibility as a hijabi woman. It's
actually about religion bringing contentment and peace.
" My parents would ask me and my seven siblings if we
were going to be victims of circumstance, or use our
situation to move forward. I have to be resilient, but it
comes naturally. I'm very lucky to have grown up in an
environment where, despite having very little, we had so
much more in terms of determination, ambition and drive.
" To anyone dealing with Islamophobia, finding people
who can offer guidance and support will help. Connect
with others on social media and use
your experiences to create the
change you want to see. "
" I can't
change
the skin
I'm in "
Nick Hems, 45, is a personal
stylist from Bath. The racist
attitudes and actions he's encountered since
childhood have shaped his outlook on life
" My first experience of direct racism was when I was
seven and a classmate called me a " half-caste git. " I didn't
understand what racism was back then, but I knew that
boy was aiming to be offensive.
" Growing up in south-east London, I had a happy,
loving and secure home - the only child of a white,
English dad and Caribbean mum. But I didn't meet my late
dad's side of the family till I was 15. From the moment he'd
got together with a Black woman they'd refused contact
with my mum and then me.
" As I grew up, I picked up on subtle racism. 'He works
hard, for a Black person,' for example. Then there were
girlfriends whose parents tried to ban us from being
together, which either led to the relationship ending or us
having to sneak around.
" When I was 21 I was on an evening out with friends
when from nowhere, a group of white men attacked me,
completely unprovoked. They chased me down an alley
and smashed bottles on my head. Later, they were
overheard bragging about how they'd attacked this
'Black...' well, I don't think I was ever told the word, but
when a police officer related the incident he signalled it by
pausing. My attackers got off with community service, but
I still have the scars.
" My resilience comes from all these experiences; they
have definitely made me stronger. I've never thought 'why
me?' and the attack didn't stop me going out, even though
there were pubs in our area known for not being welcome
to anyone of colour. I can't change the skin I'm in.
" I could despise racists, but I have found that facing
ignorance head-on, being visible, authentic and
challenging stereotypes can help dismantle misguided
assumptions. It's been a genuine privilege to do this. By
just showing up, you can create change. "
42
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