Tunnel Vision

This past year something in the air was different.

Was it COVID?

No that was here last year.

Was it the new social norms?

No that was here last year too.

It was the pandemic of hatred sweeping the world.

It was how aware people like me became of our identities.

I realized how visible parts of my identity were, like my race and religion.

How I now think about what I would do if someone decided they didn’t like me and decided to hit me with their car because I am Black and Muslim. I don’t know what I would do.

How I now think about how fortunate I was to be able to fast during Ramadan while Muslims like the Uighurs in China were and are being forcefully stripped of their religious identity, their right to practice Islam.

How fortunate I am to know that I am safe in my own home. How I am safe from threats of bombs and invaders.

How fortunate I was to be able to celebrate Eid, but how were we supposed to happily celebrate knowing that our siblings around the world are dying?

Its sad to think about how people suddenly develop tunnel vision when it comes to world issues that don't directly effect them.

Why do people decide that some social issues are more important than others?

How can we make people care about issues that don't effect them?

How can we cure the disease of selfishness? How can we cure their tunnel vision?

We can encourage them to educate themselves and make them realize that we need to be the change we want to see in the world.