Colour Blind

In life we all have choices, lots of them. Where we live, where we work, where we eat. Who we interact with, and how, being a major one? However, where we are born, and to whom, we have no choice or control of, whatsoever. Some of us are born into royalty and others into abject poverty. Some of us are born Pinkish-White and others with varying skin colours across a spectrum to Dark Brown. I must admit I don’t know anyone that actually is black or white, yet that is the prevalent term to we use to describe people!

Over the centuries our skin colour has dictated how we are treat, from prosecution to persecution, slavery to superiority. Which is downright wrong. 

We cannot change the past and it is important for us recognise this. Nor should we try to erase the past. By doing so we will start to forget the wrongs onto others. Historical education helps us make sure we look to the past to plan a better future.

Being born in Newcastle in the early 70’s to Pakistani parents, I had no choice in my colour or of my parents - both of which I am very proud of – yet over the decades, I have had to deal with the consequences of being different. All I ever wanted was to be liked and I done everything I could to fit in. Being the last one to be chosen onto a team in school because I was the odd one out - a different colour to everyone else – made me become competitive. Suffering constant abuse throughout childhood certainly had its toll, but didn’t faze me and made me focus on being the best I could.

I started demonstrating from an early age that I could be good at schooling and various other extra curricula activities too. Showcasing my skills and strengths rather than being judged on my colour, creed or religion. Sadly, this experience hasn’t always been consistent and embarrassingly I had to disregard my heritage simply to fit in. My friends were predominantly Pinkish White, and the area we lived in not so affluent. They would regularly call Asian people a “Paki” in offensive terms but then turn to me and say “not you Ammar, you are one of us”. I would grin and be happy at being accepted. Not realising that I should have been calling them out for being racists and encouraging their behaviour by not doing so. 

Throughout, my life I have continued to experience prejudice and even outright systemic racism and tokenism. Being chosen for a position so that a box can be ticked, or not being chosen because a box wasn’t ticked, or for simply being different. What is even worse, a lot of the time, people within these organisations are blind to the issues and don’t even know that they are happening. However, I am glad to say this is by exception. The vast majority have changed or want to change but some still don’t know how.

Through Asian Business Connexions, the not for profit social enterprise - now in its 11th year - we have made a significant and sustained impact on the social and economic well-being of the North East, working with a vast range of individuals and organisations with a shared ambition. Last year we launched the AWESome Campaign to platform and profile successful Asian Female Entrepreneurs. Our work has always been inclusive and focused on making an impact addressing societal issues improving life choices and enhancing life chances for us all.

The current climate and focus on discrimination should hopefully lead to a positive change in our society. However, for that to happen effectively, we need to take an approach of inclusion, understanding and respect for our differences. I cannot believe that even now the vast majority of policies are created at an arm’s length by individuals that have no experience of being the person they are trying to target.   Whether that being gender, race or any other variant.

The North East is filled with passionate, persevering and positive people from a variety of backgrounds. We have worked and lived together for centuries, from Romans to Vikings, and Jocks and Geordies. Let’s all come together and focus on making our region prosperous through equal opportunity and representation of our whole community. Let’s start by becoming blind to colour and accepting each other for our strengths and values. 

Together we can demonstrate to the world why we are the greatest region in the world. 

(If you would like to know how we can work together meaningfully to make a positive difference then please do reach out.)

(Article Featured in Northern Insight)