Selective empathy is white supremacy, 2022

29 x 42 cm
Text created with red ink using customized woodblocks printed on hotpressed paper.

The current global situation, particularly the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, is undeniably distressing and heart-wrenching. It brings to light not only the pain of the present circumstances but also the broader issues of unfairness, triggering emotional responses, and causing lasting trauma.

Reflecting on my personal journey from Syria to Sweden, the challenges encountered along the way were, in many instances, more severe than those faced in my home country. The closure of EU borders resulted in a dire situation, leaving individuals stranded in harsh conditions without access to essential resources such as food, water, and proper hygiene for extended periods. Experiences like being subjected to strip searches by German police, physical assault in France, and the confiscation of travel funds by Austrian authorities compounded the already overwhelming difficulties.

These incidents took a severe toll on my mental well-being, pushing me to the brink of contemplating self-harm. The sense of dehumanization and violation, particularly in light of escaping the horrors of ISIS, surviving death threats from the Syrian regime, and enduring daily bombings, became almost unbearable. The fact that these hardships were primarily attributed to my ethnicity, being brown and Arab, further emphasized the prevailing biases and prejudices. The perception of being deemed "uncivilized" due to not fitting conventional Western standards of appearance only added to the anguish.

Observing the world's apparent openness to embracing certain individuals while others, like myself, faced daily threats, dehumanization, and racist epithets, underscores the harsh reality of our global community. It is a stark reminder that, despite efforts to foster inclusivity, there exists a profound disparity in the treatment of different groups, revealing the darker facets of our shared human experience.