oh, thank goodness [CC]

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Covert racism refers to a disguised form of “socially acceptable” discrimination that perpetuates bias towards Indigenous, Black, and people of colour (IBPOC). Because of its disguised nature, perpetrators are often given the privilege of denying responsibility for the harm caused, while retaining their status or power. Whether conscious or unconscious, racism in any form or size can cause anxiety, depression, and/or physical strain on the bodies and souls of IBPOC. “Microaggressions”, or comments and behaviours which indirectly communicate negative attitudes towards marginalized peoples, is the form of covert racism that my piece addresses.

��, ����� �������� centres around my lived experience of institutional microaggressions. As I recall a specific microaggression, I work through feelings of exploitation, objectification, and minimization as a queer, nonbinary person of colour in a white workplace. Placing this seemingly innocent sentence against this context, my poem asks if such an aggression can be labelled as “micro” when the experience of covert racism is a macro experience for IBPOC. The harm I experienced, labelled as “micro”, is only a small moment in a continued story of racism. As my voice physically fills the space, my experience is not left to the interpretation of the viewer. My words are wholly concrete, final, and mine.

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I am a visual artist with an interest in using my practice and the privilege of my education to encourage conversations around equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as inspire radical good in my communities. With my Bachelor in Fine Arts, I have studied in multiple departments, such as Visual Arts, Graphic Design, Philosophy, and Political Science.

I would like to acknowledge that I live and work as a settler on S'olh Temexw, the territory of the Stó:lō peoples — who have been, and will continue to be, the original caretakers of the land this performance was filmed on. I am deeply humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to grow in a place that is not mine, yet continues to nourish me. It is my responsibility to use my privilege and art to support Indigenous peoples' autonomy and to challenge systems of settler-colonialism.

Please visit moosehidecampaign.ca/ to pledge against violence towards Indigenous women and children.

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Written and performed by Shannon Pahladsingh, 2021
Inspired by Sara Ahmed's Complaint As Diversity Work
With appreciation to Sarah Pahladsingh, and Sharanjit Kaur Sandhra

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