Hello there!
It’s me again, here for another story to share that hopefully will resonate with you, my dear reader.
Or at least, give you something to ponder about.
If you want to read the stories, you can scroll down and read more of it.
Or you know, if you’d rather skip this, let me at least impart to you, my dear reader, some words of Ayana’s wisdom.
Please remember to be kind.
Empathetic.
And extend compassion to people.
Because really… how hard could that be, right? It doesn’t cost us anything to be kind, compassionate and empathetic.
I may sound simple-minded right now. Eh, I don’t really care. I honestly believe that most of the world’s problems can be solved if people are more kind, compassionate and empathetic.
Now, if you want to hear my story, feel free to continue reading.
Lately, my emotions have been a roller coaster ride. There were days that I felt good, though recently, it felt more like all I wanted to do was to let my brain rot.
So, earlier today, I allowed myself to consume social media more than I usually do.
Normally, when I feel burnt out like this, I turn to social media to find videos of puppies and animals and all those kinds of cute and feel good stuff. However, no matter how much I filter out my social media page, I would still get a video that would remind me of the walking monstrosities in our society.
Whenever I see social injustice, or even when I hear stories about how people are being exploited by those with power, I get enraged. I know, I know. I can’t fix all of the world’s problems. But I’m trying to do my best to make a change, in my own way, one step at a time.
Hence why I write. Rhapsodia Chronicles: Into a World of Illusion also helps me make that change, one story at a time.
Anyway, back to my story.
I want to share the times in my life where I was discriminated against in different ways.
Well, I’ll just tackle one kind at a time.
A quick disclaimer: These stories may sound like I’m making light of what happened to me. But I assure you, I’m not. These situations have caused hurt and pain; I just choose not to wallow on it with self-pity. After all, laughter is one of my coping mechanisms.
First, there’s the racial discrimination.
Being an immigrant is difficult already as it is. Imagine upending your whole life so you can move to another country in search of better opportunities, right? Or in other people’s case, there are those who fled their countries for a chance at freedom, or better life, or just that feeling of safety. Again, why not extend them with some grace?
Anyway, when I was working at the gas station, I was subjected to this kind of discrimination. Or you know, linguistic discrimination (if that’s a thing…).
A customer walked up to the counter and asked where the closest veterinarian was. Now, I didn’t understand it at first because not only did the person have a little bit of an accent, but because his words sounded… slurred. So I asked him to repeat it again, one more time – which he did. I kind of understood him a little bit on that second one. But just to be sure, I reiterated it to him to ensure I got it right.
He clicked his tongue. And in his most condescending tone asked IF I COULD UNDERSTAND ENGLISH.
I was young back then. Not to mention that I was not as confident as I sound now. So my mind back then… well, it shut off. In the back of my mind, I knew I was just discriminated against. But since I didn’t see that coming, I… wasn’t sure how to react aside from my shocked Pikachu face.
Good thing my manager was there, lol. The moment she heard that, she jumped in, told the guy that he couldn’t speak to me that way and chased him out of the store.
It’s not just English, too, mind you. There was one time when an Asian lady came up to me at the store and started speaking in her native tongue. Now, I told her respectfully that I couldn’t understand her (but I did my best to figure out what she needed help on). She ended up getting mad at me, flailing her hands and pointing an enraged finger at me.
Now, I chose violence that day (yeah, I know, I’m not perfect).
So I yelled back and told her that since she moved to a new country, she might as well have bothered learning even the basic minimum of the host country’s language.
Ah, but my absolute favorite? I was discriminated against by a Filipino too! A woman, nonetheless!
So this ale (A-Le; meaning “woman” in Tagalog), came up to the counter to pay for gas. So I rang her up, and did the whole card reader instruction spiel that I give to all customers regardless of their race.
But I guess it struck a chord with her because she commented about the way I spoke. According to her, she has lived here longer than me, but she still knows how to speak fluent Tagalog.
Insert shocked Pikachu face again
Not sure what point she’s making, though.
But you know, it was the Ayana version that didn’t download the life updates yet. So true to my old ways, I defended myself and told her that I wasn’t insinuating anything, and that I was just doing my whole spiel since I already committed it to memory.
She wasn’t impressed. She rolled her eyes, took her card and walked out.
I hope that didn’t leave a bitter taste in your mouth while reading all that. But if it did, let me at least try to wash it down with a joke:
All jokes aside, let me end my first entry in this series with this:
Again, I beseech you, my dear reader.
Please be kind.
Empathetic.
And extend compassion to people.
Some people are already struggling enough with their lives.
And mocking people just because of the way they talk? Or the thick accent?
That’s just cruel.
Empathy is our greatest armor against the corruption of the soul.
– Ayana Mikain
Ayana's corner! 