“They are racist”… a patient shouted out.

I love writing and in writing I can express myself better. I felt I should write this story as to draw attention to what some people face in some parts of the world. Some of the stories that I write are alien to other people as they wonder whether the writer wrote a true story or a fictional story. I also remembered when I grew up in Zimbabwe, I read some books, which had some intriguing stories that happened in my neighbouring country, Republic of South Africa; I wondered whether these stories were real or not. The authors both white and black highlighted of apartheid, the segregation that went between people of different races, the hierarchy of the colour bar, the torture, the poverty and how thousand of millions of Africans people suffered in their own motherland when the rich, bully, minority ruled over them. Majority died a brutality death, some were maimed, some were separated from their beloved ones for a long period as injustice took over in their lives and spent three decades in prison, and a good example is of Nelson Mandela, who faced all the criteria of harsh treatment in his life time.

When I moved into Britain, my daily life encountered different challenges, and some incidents begin to bring some ringing bells of the books that I read in the past of some racist incidents, or remarks. There was nothing of illusion of the incidents that I faced, and I realised this was the reality I was living in and the reality of situations that some authors had highlighted and wondered whether it was true? One day, in 2006, in Rochdale, I was walking on one of the residential estate and I met a young white boy of five years. The moment he saw he screamed to me and said, “I hate you because you are black.” I was shocked and I never answered him back. I never blamed the child but I thought he might have picked this racist language from the streets or from unruly parents.  Britain is now a country of multicultural diversity. Within this beautiful Island it faces it’s own challenges and some of the challenges are highlighted with my relevant topic.

My friend works in one of the biggest NHS hospital in Manchester as a nurse. On the other night while she was on duty, a male black patient called out: “They are racist, I want a black nurse to look after me.” He continuously called out and insisted he wanted a black nurse. In the end she was forced to go and attend that patient and offered him with his medical needs but her service to the black male patient was short lived as the nurse in charge decided to send an Asian nurse to attend his needs throughout the night.

“They are racist” it’s an inclusive expression term but does it mean all whites are racist? My answer is NO. It is prejudice and stereotyping. There are many millions of white of people who are good at heart and it is a few who mess up with other people’s lives hence brandishing a good name. At some stage of my life I lived with a white family, professionals, but very humble to earth and helped me in many things that I needed and until today we are still in good books. I have witnessed some white communities where they have helped people who become homeless from people of ethnic minorities, offering them with their own accommodation at their own expense. Some white communities campaigning against harsh treatment that asylum seekers face in this country. Raising the awareness of the disadvantaged minorities. When Zimbabwe was in crisis, some of white people came for night vigils that were held weekly at Zimbabwe embassy in London.

In a similar environment where my friend works she also highlighted a similar incident that happened between a black nurse and a white patient. A black nurse attended the needs of the white patient. She offered her with support to lift her up, but soon after the white patient complained of her body being itchy and matters were reported to the seniors. In the end white nurses who happened to take her to the bathroom where she was thoroughly washed, attended also to her medical needs.

In an environment like this one would think a patient should welcome any help s(he) is given without bringing any division between the workers which I believe their ethos of the service are the same. Surprisingly these incidents they do come up unexpectedly hence bringing tension with the organisation. Regardless of this the medical officers they are made to respect the patient’s wishes but in some circumstances it is not always the issue as the black patient was to face the Asian nurse, not the black she called for.

I have been motivated to write because of the latest racial abuse incident that took place in Serbia where the local fans chanted abusive racist words towards the black players who were playing at international under English team. It is harsh and cruel to torment other people because of their colour skin. I believe people who are racist are ignorant and if they were wise they would understand God uses variation in his creation. In everything He created He saw it good. I understand from bible that God created one race, which is the human race. It’s the rotten human mind that degrades other people and thinks they are not fit for purpose, yet when we are one and united together we can perform wonders.

 

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