IMO, the best way to show solidarity with as well as support and admiration for the #BlackLivesMatter movement here in the Maldives is to take inspiration from it and look at what’s going on at home a little closer.

Racism is what it is today because of years of systematic denial of opportunities and second-class treatment by the State. Although racially homogenous we do see people in the capital being favored by the State over those in other islands.

Having a good grasp on a foreign language is essential to expand your income options and access to tertiary training and yet foreign languages are not well taught in most islands outside of Male’.

Those who grow up with a poor command of a foreign language can not compete with those who do when trying to access better jobs and training. We are to quick to kick and label such persons as uncivilized and uneducated and yet never ponder why?

Centralization of higher level services and opportunities in Male’ leading to large scale migration exposes migrants from the atolls to all kinds of social ills, exploitation and hardship while trying to study or make a living.

If you look at the prison population or gang membership it is mostly low-income migrants who are exposed to crime due to the opportunities denied to them. Do not use the success stories which are the exception to justify years of second-class treatment and neglect by the State.

Low-income individuals suspected of crimes are subject to brutality at the time of arrest by the Maldives police and cruel and harsh treatment while remanded under custody or serving a sentence.

Immigrants from neighboring countries working in menial jobs are treated poorly and subject to cruelty but the criminal justice system as well. Sex workers and the conditions they work in cannot even be discussed because we pretend that they don’t exist.

Merely joining the bandwagon when brave citizens of a foreign country fight for their rights abroad while ignoring the issues here is pretentious and mere posing.

Those who are socio-politically conscious on global issues and apathetic at home are like the parents who work at an NGO for child rights while allowing their children to be abused and ignored at home.

Also, your defense of human rights at home and abroad is not helped by focusing your entire time on teaching next-gen political correctness to the less worldly and less up to date. It is a form of cultural elitism which is counterproductive. Educate - don’t antagonize.