Dear Mr. Floyd...
Dear Mr. Floyd,
Your passing has caused much needed upheaval around the world, particularly in the US. My heart breaks and aches for the injustices that you and all Black People have faced throughout American history. Your story keeps me up at night. I have dreamt of you calling out for your mother. I have felt a continuous aching pain in my spiritual heart since your passing.
Your passing unintentionally has authorized me to speak my truth about racism as a Non-Black Person of Color. I have kept this buried deep inside and you have unknowingly given me the courage to speak up.
I’m an Indian woman that migrated with my family to the US in the late 70’s. With the help of an uncle; my folks, brother and I arrived to Atlanta, Georgia in 1978. At that time period in the South, there were very few ‘Others.’ As a turbaned Sikh, my father was unable to find work, so he was forced to cut his hair and attempt assimilation. After much ridicule in school, my brother followed soon thereafter cutting his hair and removing his turban. Because I cannot attempt to speak for them, I will focus only on my experiences.
Little girls ridiculed me. “Why is your hair black but feels like white girl hair? What are you? Why do you look like that?” These little Black girls would wait for me after school, follow me home and emotionally and physically torment me. Pushed, shoved, and with my long uncut black hair yanked, I would shudder at the thought of walking home alone. Not fitting into any particular group, I gravitated towards any ‘Other’ I could find.
I left the South as soon as I could for New York City for undergrad and then eventually graduate school. I have lived in New York for 25 years - A city that has helped me find my voice, feel accepted and become the woman that I have become. Because of the ridicule I endured during my childhood, I choose to live in Queens, the most diverse place in the country. I don’t know if you know this but Queens is the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world, with over 138 languages spoken. The beauty of Queens is that you could paint yourself purple, and no one would look twice.
When traveling for work to various cities across the US, mostly the South, I had my share of racist experiences with police officers. I had one police officer, in particular, that pulled me over for speeding and stated that I should go back to my country if I wanted to speed. In fear, I responded, “Yes, sir.” On another unfortunate occasion, I was told that I couldn’t use a machine in a hotel gym because it was reserved for white people. Most etched in my memory, in 2004, I was mugged at gunpoint with a gun to my left eye and physically assaulted. My Somalian friend who shared this experience, screamed in terror while being kicked multiple times in her stomach, “I’m your sister! Please don’t do this to your sister!” The assaulters immediately stopped and ran off. Had she not proclaimed her “Blackness,” I would likely not be here to write this letter to you.
There are countless other overt racist episodes I encountered in other parts of the US and various microaggressions experienced in the workplace, but I won’t bore you with those details. As an ‘Other’ in the US, I never felt authorized to speak up about the racism I experienced from both White and Black people. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating a space where I can now share publicly. My hope is that if I share, ‘Others’ will feel safe to share their experiences.
I believe in reincarnation and I sincerely pray that you have reached enlightenment. As an enlightened soul, you won’t incarnate into human form in your next life. You will live in a transcendent state of nirvana.
If you do incarnate, I wish you a life full of ease and grace.
I was able to observe your beautiful memorial service from afar and gather that you were a Christian. If you believed in heaven and hell, I hope you are residing in heaven experiencing complete bliss knowing that your precious sacrificed soul was the impetus for drastic much needed systemic change.
God bless you,
