So I sat in a stall in the ladies room, trying to squeeze one out. Sorry, I ate some really bad Sushi from the food court at my university. I sat there, sweating bullets as the, um, process got underway. Remind me never to eat Sushi again. That's what I get for trying exotic foods. Anyhow, I sat there, and checked my Facebook on iPhone to pass the time. Laughter from outside the stall caught my attention, especially since a fairly familiar voice started going on and on about "towel head chicks" at Carleton University and whatnot.
Now, as a hijab-wearing Muslim woman, I attract a fair amount of attention even in a somewhat racially diverse place like Ottawa, Ontario. Still, to hear such outright bigotry in the ladies room kind of surprised me. The two girls went on, and one of them mentioned something about the university slowly becoming "Little Arabia". I peered through the tiny space connecting the stall door to the wall, and glimpsed a plump chick in a red T-shirt and blue jeans. With those tacky brown boots on it couldn't be...oh my. My heart skipped a beat as I thought I recognized one of the bigots.
Shaking my head in disgust, I silently fumed. Part of me felt like leaping out of the stall and giving these racist bitches a piece of my mind, but I was otherwise engaged, if you catch my drift. By the time I was done, they were long gone. I finished my business, then wiped, and came out. I looked at my reflection in the washroom mirror as I readjusted my clothes. A short, slender young woman with light brown skin in a white T-shirt and long brown skirt stared back at me. Silently I fixed the somewhat loose pin holding my light brown hijab in place. Racist cunts, I said aloud, shaking my head.
Washing my hands profusely, I willed myself to calm down. Ottawa fancies itself a multicultural town where people from all ethnic backgrounds merge seamlessly into a free and open society. At times this feels like the biggest lie of all. My name is Bushra Khan and I was born in the City of Quetta, Pakistan. My parents, Amir and Nazira Khan moved to Ontario, Canada, when I was quite young. We've been living here ever since. My father works for the Royal Bank of Canada as an account manager. My mother teaches mathematics at a local high school. My older brother Imran is studying law at York University. I am a proud Canadian citizen and a good Muslim. I love this country and I'm thankful for the great opportunities it's afforded me. I just can't tolerate the everyday racism of some of my fellow Canadians.
I walked out of the ladies washroom with my head held high. Just another brown gal walking through the busy, at times bustling hallways of Carleton University. I walked back into the university center, where my boyfriend Omar Cisman awaited. Hello beautiful, Omar said, smiling that carefree smile I knew so well. Just like the gentleman he is, Omar rose and pulled my chair for me. Nodding silently, I sat down and began picking at my food. Gently laying his hand on mine, Omar asked me what was wrong.