Students in Focus
Speaking out against racism
“Things will never change unless you take some initiative and speak out - with that comes a lot of power and strength.”
They’re words Jahin Tanvir thought he may never be able to say – and growing up as a migrant child with social anxiety – he’s shocked to have been able to say them in front of a global audience.
That global audience came from the opportunity to present a TEDx talk in November 2021 on the topic of racial discrimination and being a young migrant in Australia – a topic close to Jahin’s heart.
“I’d been starting to do some motivational speaking and writing articles based on my experiences, and then last year I was actually contacted by one of the organisers at TEDx via LinkedIn,” Jahin says.
“They let me know they had an opportunity for me to speak – and that, at 20 years old, was one of the craziest things to happen to me.”
So, amid his university studies in optometry at UC, his advocacy work, and a global pandemic, Jahin got on stage in front of a live audience to share his experiences.
Since moving to Australia from Bangladesh at the age of three, Jahin has encountered racism and discrimination – particularly in his younger years.
“The greatest discovery we can make is after we’ve lost our identity,” Jahin begins his TEDx talk.
“That small piece of wisdom is something I learnt at the age of seven. I was in the school sick bay, my right arm completely wrapped in bandaids, but I hadn’t fallen over, I wasn’t in a scuffle, nor was it a sporting injury.
“What happened was that a classmate of mine decided to draw with a pen on my skin, and utter the words ‘your skin looks as dirty as the black ink’.”
Being able to speak on such a high-profile platform was an honour for Jahin, and is testament to the social justice work he’s put in over the years.
He says it was nice to see all the late nights and early mornings pay off.
“It does pay off – if you believe in something, if it’s meaningful, and you put in the effort,” Jahin says.
“That achievement might not be something tangible or have monetary value, but it creates an impact.”
Jahin hopes that eventually, his work will make a difference when it comes to inclusion and diversity in Australian culture.
His recent appointment as the 2021 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year is an accolade that has only given him reason to continue working towards his end goal.
“Racism is still a pressing issue right now – and it’s being amplified by social media. That sensation is only going to increase unless we put a stop to it now,” Jahin says.
“I always encourage people to speak up – because otherwise you will feel silenced and voiceless, which is probably one of the worst feelings I’ve experienced.
“I’ve felt a lot of regret and guilt for not speaking out in my life. So speak out – actions speak louder than words, and be proactive in how you share your experiences.”
He also says that by speaking up, people can help those without a voice.
“Small, consistent actions can eventually combat racism,” Jahin says.
Words by Elly Mackay, photos by Tyler Cherry.