Sydney was thrown into disarray yesterday, after an armed siege in the the busiest part of the city. It’s over now, but the tragic hostage drama has sparked anti-Muslim sentiment across the city, following reports that the incident may be politically motivated. In a move that has completely floored me, Sydney’s and Australia’s social media users have united under one hashtag banner, pledging their solidarity with those who fear racially motivated and bigoted reprisals on public transport. This is #IllRideWithYou](http://www.paklinks.com/gs/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=IllRideWithYou) , and it’s beautiful.
It started last night with a simple tweet from Michael James, surrounding an incident involving two women on Sydney’s public transport network.
Re: Sydney Stands Up To Racism And Bigotry With One Beautiful Hashtag:
The link includes some stories and tweets/ status updates with the hashtag…
Faith in humanity restored!!! We’ve definitely got a long way to go, but with all the talk of Islamophobia going on, it’s refreshing to see intolerance on the right foot… So to speak.
Re: Sydney Stands Up To Racism And Bigotry With One Beautiful Hashtag:
Completely agree.
I seriously can’t explain the anger I felt when I read the tweet about the Muslim woman/ girl who took off her hijab because of the hate. Thank goodness for these good people.
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Women who wear Hijab in such testing times have more balls than most people I know. More power to them. Apparently that girl put it back on after I heard!
Re: Sydney Stands Up To Racism And Bigotry With One Beautiful Hashtag:
Yaar don’t be angry. I’m from Sydney and 24/7 this has been on news. They’ve talked about this hash tag twitter campaign. The girl took off her hijab in anticipation of islamaphobia related comments but did not face any. The other girl chased her and told her her to put it on. Some Racism exists like in all countries but no hijab friends I have have reported anything.
On the world affairs thread about the incident I’ve put up examples of tweets. There have been about 120000 in total.
They’ve shows muslim leaders and women in hijab putting flowers at the memorial site for the victims and plenty of people condemning it and saying it does not represent us.
The police have been mature not releasing details and the gunman called radio hosts to spew his message but they refused to engage with him.. I am confident there won’tbe much or hardly any backlash.
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Lot of my friends desi/non-desi-have this trending on twitter and social media. All are saying they know lovely muslim people and they have lot of close muslim friends nothing like this guy and speaking out against any comparisons.
Re: Sydney Stands Up To Racism And Bigotry With One Beautiful Hashtag:
I just came across this article and i wanted to reassure you this event never happened although the outcome of the hashtag was positive. But the girl who started this has confessed it was not completely true but a hoax. She just observed a girl in a hijab/or headscarf who was taking it off and imagined how she felt. She is not even sure if the lady was wearing a hijab or if she was Muslim. Apparently, there might not have been any Islamophobic event which lead to the tweet of #I](http://www.paklinks.com/gs/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=I) 'llridewithyou. She is also apparently the daughter of Indian migrants but been in Australia for 37 years of her life.
Let’s all ride with each other. (AP Photo/Steve Christo) SHARE
WRITTEN BY
Rachael JacobsLecturer, Australia Catholic University
December 16, 2014
As news of the siege unfolded, I scrolled through updates on my phone, searching for the latest information. My brother works in the city of Sydney. My husband’s office is a government building near Martin Place. I knew all were safe and sound, but I wanted to know more.
At this point I saw a woman on the train start to fiddle with her headscarf.
Confession time. In my Facebook status, I editorialised. She wasn’t sitting next to me. She was a bit away, towards the other end of the carriage. Like most people she had been looking at her phone, then slowly started to unpin her scarf.
Tears sprang to my eyes and I was struck by feelings of anger, sadness and bitterness. It was in this mindset that I punched the first status update into my phone, hoping my friends would take a moment to think about the victims of the siege who were not in the cafe.
I spent the rest of the journey staring—rudely—at the back of her uncovered head. I wanted to talk to her, but had no idea what to say. Anything that came to mind seemed tokenistic and patronising. She might not even be Muslim or she could have just been warm! Besides, I was in the “quiet carriage” where even conversation is banned.
By sheer fluke, we got off at the same station, and some part of me decided saying something would be a good thing. Rather than quiz her about her choice of clothing, I thought if I simply offered to walk her to her destination, it might help.
It’s hard to describe the moment when humans, and complete strangers, have a conversation with no words. I wanted to tell her I was sorry for so many things—for overstepping the mark, for making assumptions about a complete stranger and for belonging to a culture where racism was part of her everyday experience.
But none of those words came out, and our near silent encounter was over in a moment.
My second status was written as a heartbreaking postscript to my first. While the woman appeared to appreciate my gesture, we had both left defeated and deflated. What good is one small action against an avalanche of ignorance?
Hours later, social media showed me good people can create their own avalanche of kindness.
My posts were written on my private Facebook page to a private audience, never intended for public eyes. A friend of mine made his own decision to share it publicly, and I’m deeply humbled by his action. Perhaps the story was then shared widely because it represented what so many people felt in their heart. But while I’m warmed by the sheer volume of media interest, I am not the story here, and my actions were not extraordinary or heroic.
We are all in shock at the tragedy that has unfolded, and out of respect for the victims’ families, I’m reluctant to take any media focus.
I’ve made the decision to decline interviews for a few reasons. I have spent some time in the public eye due to my recent experiences as a candidate in federal and local elections. I would be mortified if anyone thought I was using this tragedy for political gain.
I’m also a teacher and lecturer and have a responsibility to represent my profession and institution. At a time of heightened emotions, a misplaced word or phrase could cause offence, requiring numerous explanations and reassurances.
But most importantly, my role in this movement was minuscule and unworthy of the attention received. The #I](http://www.paklinks.com/gs/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=I) llridewithyou hashtag, started by Twitter user @sirtessa and embraced by thousands, is the real story of inspiration. The movement has inspired thousands to publicly and loudly stand up for a decent and humane world. It’s a pre-emptive strike against racism and bigotry. We know what fear can do to a society, and rather than fall victim, thousands have pledged to be part of the force that fights for tolerance and compassion.
As we grapple with the tragic end to the siege, there’s no better time to ride with each other, walk with each other, listen to each other or just silently be there for someone else.
Our grief as a nation will be overwhelming and we will be confounded as we try to make sense of this event. It will be tempting to search for answers in politics or beliefs, sheltering in the irrational fear that more madness is to come.
But #I](http://www.paklinks.com/gs/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=I) llridewithyou reminds us that we can overcome fear and ignorance with a pledge to treat each other with respect. It’s a reminder that decent Australians don’t hold an entire group of people responsible for the actions of one man.
Some claim the movement is patronising, forcing misplaced support upon those who need space, rather than spotlight. They may have a point. But there’s no doubting its good intentions. And perhaps we need it more for ourselves as a reminder that there are reasoned and tolerant people that walk among us, publicly disempowering the trolls.
One of the most common questions I’ve been asked is “Do you have a message for the Muslim community?”
In truth, I don’t. They are a strong community with their own articulate leaders, able to speak for themselves if they choose to do so.
I am, however, the daughter of Indian migrants, and having lived all of my 37 years in Australia, I feel I’ve seen the best and the worst this country has to offer. I’d rather deliver a message to racists, bigots and anyone who dares to derive a message of hate from this tragedy—it is you who are unwelcome here. Your values have no place in civilised society, and if you spread intolerance, there’s an avalanche of kindness ready to take you down.
Re: Sydney Stands Up To Racism And Bigotry With One Beautiful Hashtag:
Hmm…you’re right. It’s not part of West in a traditional sense but even Japan and Israel are considered part of Westernized or Western world these days.
