“Blacks have been exposed to racism and violence for years in the USA and Europe”

The brutal murder of 46-year-old black George Floyd in the USA is not the first incident that blacks have suffered, they added.

Protests across the country and around the world continue increasingly in Minneapolis, the United States, after the brutal strangulation of the 46-year-old blackman George Floyd by police on 25 May.

While Floyd's death led to fast-spreading protests around the world, especially the United States, police violence and treatment of black Americans came up once again in the country. The Floyd incident once again revealed the reality of racism in the USA.

In the USA, 7.666 blacks died between 2013 and 2019 due to police violence, which came to the fore again after Floyd's death. It is remarkable that the death rate of Black Americans is 2 and a half times more than whites.

We asked the black students living in Gaziantep and staying at the Yeni Doğu International Student Association, which is affiliated to the Federation of International Student Associations (UDEF), about the years of violence discrimination and racism against black people throughout the world, especially in the United States.

Blacks who came to Gaziantep for education from various countries of Africa pointed out that George Floyd, who was strangled by the police in the USA, was not the first to be killed in a wild way, and that black people worldwide have been exposed to racism, discrimination and violence for years.

The students stated that the biggest social danger in the world is the danger of racism. They reminded us our Prophet's Farewell Sermon by stressing that no race or color is superior to any other race or color, but superiority is only in taqwa.

Stating that he has lived in Turkey since 2010 and graduated from Gaziantep University Faculty of Theology, Nigerian Shittu Sadiq pointed out that society in the United States has been divided into “blacks” and “whites” for years and that the othering of blacks in almost every respect has continued since the colonial era.

Pointing out that in many European countries, especially in the USA, blacks have been violent and blacks have always been faced with racism and discrimination, Sadık stated that the Floyd incident is the last straw.

“There are such discriminations and attacks against black people from past to present”

Sadık said he was closely following Floyd's death and what followed, adding: "This incident is not a new one. But this incident in particular was a good agenda. For the development of Africa, this event has had a big repercussion. There is no discrimination in our religion.”

Everyone is equal in the sight of Allah, we are all the same. Neither color, race, age, nor language discrimination has any place in our religion, and we are all the same. So I strongly condemn this event. This was an event that should not have been. There are such discriminations and attacks against black people from past to present. Hopefully these discriminations and attacks will end. There is no racism in our religion. All people are the same, we have no difference. There should be no such discrimination. But unfortunately it happens. They do such discrimination because they do not believe. I hope such thoughts and mentalities are over. I hope they change. Because there should be no discrimination at this time anymore. But unfortunately, it happens everywhere.”

“I strongly condemn this event”

Stating that there are larger discriminations especially in the USA and black people are exposed to racism, Sadık said, “These reactions after discrimination against blacks are not the first reaction. But since this reaction is a bit different, most people think this is the first time. It's not like that. I strongly condemn this event. We even thought of a protest in Gaziantep. But most students are not in Gaziantep because of Coronavirus. We could not hold this protest. But I strongly condemn this incident and racists. We also support the protesters.”

Nigerian Mubarak Amoo lived in Turkey for 12 years also stated that he supports the protests in the USA and worldwide after Floyd's death.

“Nobody has the upper hand over anyone”

Stating that protests are important for black people living all over the world, Amoo said:

“This kind of discrimination already happened in some countries in America and Europe. This discrimination is not new. But this death will undecieve black people. I wish it hadn't been death, but unfortunately it happened. As black people, we did not choose to come to the world with black skin. It's good to be black anyway. We are the same as all races. There should be no such discrimination. We are sorry for such discrimination. I wish we could take a protest march here and protest. But there is no such a chance in Turkey. Therefore, we cannot show our reaction as a society. Unfortunately, we cannot come together due to Coronavirus. We thought about the protest, but we gave up later. There are those who oppose and react to racism both from blacks and whites. There are good and bad people in every society. We cannot mean all of Europe, but some presidents and politicians in Europe are already racist, they discriminate. There is no racism in our religion. In fact, racism is prohibited in other religions. Because nobody has any superiority over anyone. Racism is a personal situation. If only everyone could act according to their religion, they would not be in these troubles anyway. ”

“Black people have been facing this kind of death for years”

Kenyan Kombo Idd, who stated that racism for black people started from the slavery period before centuries and still continues in the USA and many European countries today; spoke as: “But this latest incident has been reflected across the world. Because everybody could see. The whole world has clearly seen what is happening in America. I really feel sorry for and against such discrimination. We were upset that George Floyd was killed in such a brutal way. Because such a thing cannot be done to a person. But unfortunately, this black killing is not new. For years, blacks have always faced such deaths. We were very sorry about this event.” (ILKHA)