I know we’re all committed to discussing Asian anti-blackness -and it’s a necessary discussion. However, id like to inject a little honesty, self reflection and complexity, for my own sake. Black folks harbour their own negative views about south Asians (pt1)

These opinions are rife - I know this because I have been privy to it my whole life. I spoke with my aunt last week about some banking issue she was having, and out of nowhere she said: “they are trying to treat me like some paki.” (Pt2)

My mum was part of that whole “paki” bashing scene in the 70s and 80s (does it matter that she’s mixed raced?) Members of my family are committed to the idea that south Asian people are dirty. (Pt3)

When I was in school I regularly witnessed south Asian friends beat up and called all kinds of things, and I did nothing, partly through my own fears, but also because south Asian people were irrelevant to my social life at that point. (Pt4)

When I discuss and think about these issues in the present I do so recognising the views of black people towards south Asians. It makes me tread carefully and seek out nuance and work with the complexity. I wish we were all kinder (pt5)

So when I see folks up in arms about this cinema issue I think: South Asians don’t owe you shit - they don’t have to come out and declare it ‘their’ youth causing this trouble - they, as a community, don’t have to take ownership - just as we would scoff at the idea.

Don’t use it as an excuse to target and attack south Asian people. Some likkol bad yutes had their moment - that’s on them, and perhaps wider society in the abstract - and it has very little to do with anti-blackness.

I know many of you hear all kinds of negative shit about south Asians within your families - I know because I have often been part of your families - so let’s not front. We are either committed to developing a language of cohesion or we are simply perpetuating divisions.

Don’t @ me your whataboutry fuckeries - I don’t care!!