CULTIVATING COMPASSION
The Shreds and Threads of Equity As Seen Through My Personal, Multicultural Lens
BY TARAH SINGH; EDITED BY CAM MACQUEEN
ters, I am still unclear as to their true objective. I understand these classes address systematic dis- advantages faced by mar- ginalized individuals and communities. Yet, during classes, I have witnessed people feeling guilty, an- gry, and crying — all valid responses to the experi- ence of being flooded with traumatic subject matter. It’s curious to ponder: are these classes effectu - ating true change in the here and now, and for our futures, or are they just engendering guilt and remorse? We can say we want racial justice, but if our actions are futile, it’s impossible to institute new ways of seeing and being.
My name is Tarah Singh. I am a Guyanese American, and a multi - cultural artist, born in Washington, DC, in the fall of 1975, and raised between Teaneck, NJ, and Asheville, NC, where I currently reside. As a creative visionary, I’ve worked for nearly 20 years in a variety of me - dia to communicate with the world around me. During my early years, I spent summers back north in Marlow Heights, Maryland, visiting my maternal great-grandmother. My mother’s youngest sister attended Howard University in the early 90’s, when I was in high school and spent summers visiting her while she lived in DC. We would also travel back to New Jersey and New York during my stay. I am grateful that my aunt and her now husband took the time to make sure I remained in an understanding of ‘Black Culture’ — that it was a necessity for me to maintain balance in my identity while growing up in the rural South. Coming from Hender- sonville, North Carolina, they would take me shopping for “current” clothing styles from “up north”, to see current pop culture movies like New Jack City, and make cassette tapes of R&B music and NYC’s top 40 hits. They provided these experiences so I would have exposure to a world outside of Western North Carolina. There was no Internet then, and my mother did not want us to have a television in the home, so without these cultural discoveries, I would have had a very insulated upbringing. My mother is from a family of famous musicians. When they went places, people were starstruck and clamored for autographs. My fa - ther’s family is from Georgetown, Guyana, and of Indian descent. His grandmother was an entrepreneur who helped with agricultural im- provements and supported the creation of an orphanage in George- town. His grandfather started a bank which improved the standard of living for our family and the greater community. With close connections to my family on multiple continents, I am aware of my unique background, and I have had a difficult time relat - ing to a narrative of ethnic people being considered less than. I know my story isn’t like everyone’s, but these are the experiences I had, and it is my norm. I wish to share it with others, because it has greatly empowered me. As a child, I was constantly asked, “What are you?” I wondered what the right answer was. My final answer was “HUMAN,” some - thing that should allow everyone to relate to me while treating me with respect and affording me the same opportunities they also wished to receive. Thus, a crucial point — if we consider the innate humanness we share, we clearly have much more in common than not. Although words are not my favorite medium, nor am I an expert on race relations, I will attempt to interlace my ideas, opinions, and experiences, in hopes that they will initiate a thought-provoking con- versation on a challenging subject. In the vast tapestry of history, the threads of race and nationality have played an undeniable role in shaping societies and individuals alike. These constructs both divide and unify; yet I am left wondering what will help us truly move toward a more integrated, progressive future. Could it be a paradigm shift that invites us to see beyond the scope of race and color? A shift that informs our own humanity causing us to recognize the beauty and majesty of our interconnectedness, and our differences. As humans, we have that ability — and if we tapped into it, anything is possible. Currently, the trend is for racial equity classes to be readily avail- able. While they attempt to create awareness on many historical mat-
“Hope” - mixed media on tar paper - is a discussion about growth and resilience, hence the butterfly symbology. There are no rose colored glasses, but knowledge can help us facilitate transformation.
Perhaps we need to begin with separate groups meeting first, to get our own stories straight and reduce the trepidation some have that they will say something offensive, or will be attacked for the actions of their ancestors? I question when the conversations will evolve and the topic of equity will emerge; unfortunately, it never has in any of the classes I have attended. To illustrate this point, one facilitator requested, “All the people here who consider themselves white, raise your hands” and then asked, “Who makes up the constructs of race anyway?” As one can well imagine, there was a heaviness that hung in the air as they looked around. Microaggressions occur on both sides of the race card. I am re - pulsed when experiencing them in the context of one of these events. These classes are meant to de-escalate tension, yet I feel apprehensive every time I attend one. After my last racial equity class, I went on a tirade to friends and family, in order to process the trauma I felt from the experience of having someone else impose their narrative that shreds my identity. Instead of continuing that type of upset, what if we could shift the focus to cultural inclusivity that cultivates acceptance, understand- ing, respect, and ideally, love? Nurturing appreciation for the signifi - cance of various traditions, customs, foods, philosophies, and artistic expressions that transcend racial and geopolitical boundaries plays a crucial role — just as curry is a blend of spices that is recognized glob - ally, and each region has its own blend of specific flavors that makes it unique and enjoyable for most everyone. When we remove the lens of race and nation, we can truly appre- ciate the universal aspects of culture that resonate with all people, re- gardless of their origins. We can explore different stories, histories, and ways of life, seeking to foster a sense of curiosity. We can celebrate shared human experiences and coalesce our values.
continued on page 51
PATHWAYS—Winter 23—13
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