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Photo: Motti Kimchi
Ethiopian community takes to the streets
Photo: Motti Kimchi
Photo: Abigail Uzi
Titi Aynaw
Photo: Abigail Uzi

The Ethiopian community cries out: enough!

Opinion: I can say with pride that our protest was staged in the same way we were brought up, with the quiet that is so typical of us, with determination and with our head held high. Labeling us as a violent community is unjust. The only difference between us and you is the color of our skin.

Over the past week, I have been plagued with a constant feeling of unrest. I was very concerned about the protest organized by the Ethiopian community. I was afraid of the police's reaction, I was afraid of the pain and anger of my community. But on Wednesday I had the privilege of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with my brothers and sisters and shout out our pain in the most democratic way possible.

 

 

And I can say with pride that we staged the protest in the same way we were brought up, with the calm and quiet that is so typical of us, with determination and with our head held high. We did it while united and shouting "enough!"

 

Ethiopian community protesting against police violence   (Photo: Dana Koppel)
Ethiopian community protesting against police violence (Photo: Dana Koppel)

 

Enough! Let us live with dignity while feeling secure in a country that we fought so hard to reach, in a country that is ours.

 

Enough! We don't want to swarm the streets and fight for our basic rights. We do want to walk the streets (safely), go to work, gain education, go shopping and have fun, while feeling secure and normal.

 

Labeling us as a violent community is wrong. It's unjust. Instead of labeling us, try to get to know us. Look us in the eye, see who we really are. We are exactly like everyone else. The only difference is the color of our skin. My heart beats exactly like yours and I want the same things as every 27-year-old woman wants—love, family, work and a safe life. That's all.

 

Titi Aynaw is a former beauty queen, a model and a lecturer.

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.31.19, 10:41
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