The internet is abuzz with discussions and arguments involving a local Malay/Muslim lady who goes by the name of 'Atikah Amalina' on Facebook. Atikah dons a hijab/tudung (go and find out what that is if you still don't know what it is), and also goes by the Instgram handle @thetudungtraveller. She is an employee of Google and works at its local office.
Apparently this was too difficult/impossible to understand by some. On one of her trips from work using a private hire vehicle service, she met with a most unpleasant experience. The driver, thinking of building rapport with her, casually asked if she worked at the canteen at Google.
So, microagression in action.
Unsurprisingly, there have been many messages of support and commiserations for Atikah. Some felt that she was being overly sensitive. There were also those who chided her for her double standards, and haughtiness in looking down on canteen operators.
To be fair , Atikah did opine that there is nothing wrong in being a canteen operator or to work in a canteen.
No one is free from having their own conceptions of others that may not be entirely accurate or based mostly of stereotypes perpetuated in popular culture, the media, and their immediapte social networks. In fact, many people love a joke based on stereotypes. They are accessible and relatable.
Nevertheless, one has to be aware that these are stereotypes and not consume them believeing them to be facts, and then more appallingly, convey them as facts to others.
This should not happen anywhere. There must be no space for this in the schools, offices, at churches, temples, mosques, or any other places of worship or community.
Perhaps, Atikah is indeed carrying some misgivings on being thought of as a canteen stallholder. Afterall, she is a local university graduate.
That said, one wonders how many non-Malays/Muslims would have found themselves in the same situation, facing a misguided driver. One suspects, not many. The fact that she reacted to it the way she did does not mean that she was sensitive. You don't come from a minority community so you don't have the right to tell them what to think or how to react in such a situation. Perhaps, you have not heard of majority privilege.
It must be trying. It must be tiring. Atikah seemed tired of the cumulative microagressions that she has had to endure, regardless of whether these microagressions were delivered with a smile, a hearty laugh, and a pat on her back.
We need to reflect.
Our country will be better for it.
