I hope

I remember the moment when I learned the news that we obtained a residency in Slovenia and that we will travel there. It was after a lot of effort and determination from our father who was afraid for our safety. At that moment, I was very happy that I would come to Europe. I thought when I came here everything would change for the better, but when I came, I realized that I was wrong. I realized that migration might give you safety but it strips you from many other things. I used to think that in Europe there is no racism, but on the contrary, there is a lot of racism and discrimination. Discrimination stripped me from a lot of my social rights, it stripped me from my dreams for professional and educational development.

I remember one time when I went to a job interview. Once I entered the interview, even before sitting down and even before the interviewer asked me about my name, she asked me: Are you going to remove the headscarf? When I told her no, she said to me, “You cannot work with us, you must remove it, if you do not remove it and adapt to the situation here and be like us, you will never get a job or a study.” The interview is over, you can get out from here and you can leave from this country.”

I hope the world will change her view, I hope people can see me for who I am, I hope the world will not judge people based on labels and false news. Sometimes I look at myself in the mirror and I wonder what some people see? I hope they can give us a chance to see our goodness and to see us for who we really are.