On Being ‘Othered’ In Muslim & Non-Muslim Spaces
Our new series Her Story puts the spotlight on marginalized voices in the Muslim community. The Muslim narrative in North America has been driven by Arab and South Asian voices for far too long. Muslim Women Professionals invites marginalized groups to be a part of the table so we can actively listen and learn from them.
BIBI WATTS WAS BORN IN PHILLY AND RAISED IN HOUSTON. SHE IS AN ESTABLISHED POET AND PERFORMING ARTIST NOW ENTERPRISING AS A PUBLIC FIGURE AND RESISTANCE BLOGGER. BIBI IS AUTHOR OF A FORTHCOMING AND HIGHLY ANTICIPATED BOOK OF HAIKU.
June 11, 2020
In reality, I don’t remember a time period in my life where racism, colorism, or prejudice, weren’t an issue. Let that sink in ...
It should be noted that I don’t feel there is a good excuse for treating anyone poorly because of their race, but I do know, there is often a reason behind someone's ill manners.
I was around the age of 9 when I noticed my late grandmother's treatment of my siblings and I. She was a multi-racial woman, fair-skinned, and indeed white-passing. Her daughters were the same but ironically, her only son, my father, was the most brown-skinned of them. She loved and doted over him often, and we all knew her heart for him was soft. However, when it came to his choice for marriage, my 100% African American brown-skinned mother was a disappointment, and it showed. My mother had 8 children: 4 are light-skinned, and 4 dark-skinned. What’s the point? My grandmother's treatment of us varied by which shade we were. Again, sit with that thought.
I come from a small, Muslim, African American community, that started in the East Coast and has spread all over the world by now. Not many members lived (then or now) in Texas, so when my parents migrated circa 1989, we loosely became part of the larger Islamic community. And just as soon as we did, so too, did our differences become magnified. The populace here is quite diverse. I’d go so far to say that Houston, Texas is one of the largest and most beautiful melting pots in America. But what comes with that is elitism, segregation, and more specifically, racism.
There isn’t a specific time I can pinpoint when my Salaam became unworthy of a response. And if i’m being completely transparent, I don’t believe “they” ever deemed it worthy in the first place. To this day, I still experience the blank stare when I willingly offer a joyful “As Salaamu Alaikum Sis!” It was only a few years back when I made a Facebook status declaring, I’m going to stop extending the Islamic greeting of peace to women from other cultural backgrounds. The frustration was just too much.
“The obligation isn’t in extending Salaam anyways, it’s in returning it, so I’m not losing much,” was my sentiment.
Our stories are countless.
Our experiences are similar.
Our Islamic communities are usually more highly populated with Arabs and South Asians, whom in my experience, feel they own Islam. Like they have the right to open the Saf because maybe the color of my skin will rub off on them if in Qiyam they stood too long beside me. It is a disgrace to the verse where Allah says: “We created them from different nations and tribes, that they may know one another.” 49:13
A well known english author, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, coined the phrase “The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword” and it’s been one of my most favorite quotes since I learned it. I have spent years protesting. I respect the “eye for an eye” (Qur’anic & Biblical verses) tactic, but my chosen form of fighting back is written and spoken communication. What protest, rally, meeting, or change have you witnessed where someone didn’t get up and speak to the crowd? Change is made via communication, followed by action.
It is bittersweet, but very important I mention, we have finally made it to a point where the global Islamic community recognizes and admits we have a problem with racism in our hearts, homes, and Masaajid. Besides, I’m not sure why George Floyd was the wakeup call to an issue existing for centuries. But I follow a God who is always on time and I do not question His wisdom. If I could ask one thing of the “non-black” Muslim society, it would be to go back to the basics. There is nothing I or other colored Muslims want from you all specifically, other than your salvation from hellfire. And it’s really that simple. My spiritual leader told me in 2004 that all illnesses come from love of this world.
Conversely, if I honor the question with an appropriate answer. What I truly want for my brothers and sisters, is what I want for myself, and that is purification of the heart. When we remove the filth from our roots, only purity can occupy our innermost being. Only light. And our collective prayer for one another should mirror this position.
Anything hurtful above is proof of my human frailty and I ask your forgiveness. Whereas, anything good received, was indeed from Allah and I have only been the vessel by which to carry a message.
