Habibi, Check Yourself: The Black Community's Struggle in MENA/SWANA Regions

In the midst of the diversity of the MENA/SWANA region, the Black community has long grappled with systemic challenges that demand attention and action. Despite facing entrenched biases and enduring stereotypes, individuals of Black heritage in this region embody resilience and grace in the face of adversity. Buckle up folks, because today we’re diving into a topic that has been brewing for some centuries now.

Within the classrooms, workplaces, and social spheres of the MENA/SWANA region, the Black community has encountered barriers that threaten their sense of belonging. From subtle microaggressions to overt discrimination, the journey of Black individuals in navigating societal norms is filled with obstacles. Yet, amidst these challenges, they persist with dignity and determination.

Representation, or rather the lack of, remains an issue for the Black community in the region. Mainstream media often shows harmful stereotypes, depicting Blackness through narrow lenses that fail to capture the richness and diversity of experiences within the community. The lack of accurate representation should stress to us the urgent need for change and amplification of Black voices in media and cultural narratives.

And let’s not even get started on the intersectionality of it all! Black women in the MENA/SWANA region are facing double the discrimination, dealing with both racism and sexism on the daily. Confronting both ism’s, they navigate a complex landscape where their identities intersect and diverge. Habibi, we need to do better in our regions and be better allies.

While the road ahead may be daunting, the Black community in the MENA/SWANA region remains strong in their pursuit of justice and equity. Through advocacy, education, and collective action, individuals of Black heritage are working tirelessly to dismantle the structures of oppression that seek to marginalize them. This is where we need to support our communities by asking ourselves, how can we show up and support?

So, what's the tea that has been brewing for centuries, you ask? The struggle of the Black community in MENA/SWANA is real, but so is their resilience, their strength, and their unwavering commitment to change the narrative. It's time to lift each other up, celebrate our differences, and embrace the beauty of diversity in all its shades. Ask yourself today what you can learn and unlearn to be a better human.