Following recent events in America, communities are sharing a global message ‘Black Lives Matter’.

Do I agree? Whole-heartedly. Can I understand some of the frustrations of those who are not actively campaigning? Yes.

I absolutely understand why some people feel that they need to point out that all lives matter. But I can also see that nobody is saying that they don’t.

Prejudice and discrimination are present in many walks of life. I have spent most of my career passionately educating others on equality, diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace. Doing the right thing, at the right time. As a woman in a male dominated industry – you could say I am even more determined to break down barriers.

I have been exposed to various forms of discrimination in my life, not just my gender. I grew up in a small British town as part of one of its only Indian families. Lots of people accepted us well, others didn’t. When I was little, I noticed it more.

My poor brother faced a lot more struggles than I did, many of these involving violence. My experiences were subtle. School friends would ask ‘what tribe I was from’, point out and laugh at how hairy I was or notice I had dark knees and elbows. I was given the part of Mowgli in our school play, until I got upset (more so because I did not want people to laugh about it), I then landed the role of a vulture instead.

But as I got older, our town had gotten a little more diverse, our famous role models were not just white and I also became popular at school.

While I was liked, there were still some ignorant remarks and comments. I would be nicknamed any dark skinned character, Black Barbie, Princess Jasmine, Pocahontas…these nicknames never upset me as I knew the intent was not malicious, yet they still highlighted to myself and others, that I was different.

Some people would continuously mis-pronounce my surname, on purpose – this did annoy me a little. But most of the time, I laughed off these instances as they were more innocent ignorance, in my eyes.

In my own community, I am not Indian enough! Less so now, as many are more accepting. But in the past, I experienced prejudice from my own family. I would hear my relatives talking in Gujarati (an Indian language), saying how I looked black with my hair braided or asking why I chose to wear a cross around my neck. Then after my mother re-married, I heard them speak of my ‘white sisters’.

Yes, there have been pockets of exposure in my lifetime. But overall – I am the privileged one.

In my own family and friendship circle, almost all are now in inter-racial relationships and we all have beautiful mixed-race babies, white babies and even fur babies!

The list of discriminated characteristics is large. My own father spent the last 30 years of his life devoted to raising awareness and securing the rights of disabled people, despite his own disability. He even won awards for his wonderful efforts.

Now, back to where we started. The current campaign is to educate the world on fairness and equality for black communities. It is not stating that other lives are less important, simply that this is the focus, right now. This is just today’s message.

I am fully supportive of the current campaign.

It is a very emotive subject. I’m seeing friends falling out on social media, defending their views. This is upsetting. Riots and looting taking place, causing divides – how is this the answer? I understand the messages, I understand the pain and I understand the motives. But the world has progressed, we should too.

We SHOULD stand for what we believe in, always. But I feel that we should approach our way of educating others in a way that works, right now, in a peaceful, respectful and dignified manner. As many, including my own family, are.

Sadly, this is being portrayed in such a negative way, likely due to the approaches of very small numbers of campaigners on both sides of the argument. I am worried that the important message will not be heard effectively, and I am so sad to see more hate rising because of this.

Innocent people are being hurt, in a time when there is already so much pain and loss in the world.

I am worried for my own friends and family living in areas which are now battling against each other and for once, I am thankful for lockdown as they are as safe as can be right now, in their own homes.

I pray that the violence will soon ease and that the right messages will be heard.

I will continue to educate my own friends, family and of course my children and I hope that others will too.

Slowly, we will make a difference, but it will take time.