I learned a lot about our oppressive and racist society while attending both conferences during the international women’s week on Monday march 2nd and Wednesday march 4th. In the first conference, I was able to understand the pain of indigenous women and the problem the oil industry and climate change is affecting their already endangered lives. The problems they have already been encountering since America was colonized, including decolonization, racism and unwanted violence have gotten even worse recently because of climate. Big oil companies are destroying their lands and occupying big establishments for primarily white male workers that are completely disrespecting and ruining their livelihood.
In the second conference titled “Living in the Shadow of Law 21”, I listened to the rocky and difficult journey Muslim women have had since their immigration to Canada. I now understand the difficulty and unfair violence against them just because of their religion, skin color or country of origin. The Law 21, mostly targeting hijab wearing women, is wanting to force them to remove it if they work in a governmental owned job field. This is constantly threatening them and their religion for no other reason than a religious piece of clothing, and causing unnecessary racism. An example of this are ignorant remarks and experiences the speakers have been told. Nadia Naqvi has had multiple teachers that have said racist remarks about her been fellow colleges for no reason or students that have screamed “Allahu Akbar”, implying she was a terrorist just because of her religion.
Throughout these presentation, I was able to make a few parallels with the readings we have read during the semester. The main thing is the stereotypes placed on males when they born, such as liking the color blue and sports, are the same type placed on Muslim women by the rest of society: they are all terrorists, violent and need to make a big deal to pray all the time, which is very obviously false.
In conclusion, what I take from these presentations is that our western is still heavily biased towards predominantly Caucasian males, and that anyone who doesn’t fit these standards is considered different and inferior.
Lovers and Fighters | Section 22 