Why Do We Discriminate

WHY DO WE DISCRIMINATE

Editors: Miski Ali, Asiya Salad Illustrator: Asiya Salad Author: Maria Ali

Why Do We Discriminate is part of the group exhibit Six Feet from Home.

Six Feet from Home is an exhibit centered around the work of Ubah Medical Academy’s Photo & Design students. These courses began in person during the Spring 2020 semester and were completed online when students could no longer physically be in school. The title, Six Feet from Home, reflects the current pandemic of Covid-19 around the world and the required distance (6 feet) to be kept between people.

Students collaborated to finalize their projects whilst at home. They created books about various stories they wanted to share with the help of their teacher Mrs. Katie Do and teaching artists Mr. Mohamud Mumin and Mr. Kaamil A. Haider. These stories are of culture and religion, of a boy and a monster, of a dream and identity, and much more.

The first phase of the exhibit will take place online on Say Masha’Allah Gallery’s website. This will be followed by the physical printing of books and a physical exhibition at Ubah Medical Academy.

2020 © Say Masha’Allah Gallery. All rights reserved.

www.saymashallahgallery.com

This activity was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Photographers: Asiya Salad Maria Ali Miski Ali Illustrator: Asiya Salad Author: Maria Ali Editors: Miski Ali Asiya Salad

Our book is about diversity; to embrace it and not judge others by its appearance. As a team, we have split our work into three groups; the illustrator, the photographer, and the writer. We want to make sure that we share our story in a vibrant and colorful way by combining drawings with photographs. We did this because we wanted to promote diversity.

As Muslim Somali American, we sometimes come across discrimantion of our religion and becasue we are black. We wanted to show that people should not shy away from and be scared of people who are different from. They should get to know them better because we all have a story to tell.

This is our story.

My brothers and sisters.

Why do we judge?

We are all different.

Yet most hold a grudge.

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Over what you say?

A small dispute?

End of the argument.Then say oh shoot!

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This world is corrupt.

We’re always judging.

A man dressed poorly!

Oh, he’s got nothing.

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An overweight girl.

Fatty stop eating!

How’re you gonna judge?

When you don’t know what she’s feeling?

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A man with scars Ah, he’s trouble How do you know?

His life is double!

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A Muslim woman.

Always covered.

Very religious.

But for that, she suffers.

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You and I, everyone We’ve all judged before Sometimes it’s a mistake And that’s something we can restore

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Or think they’re actually worthless Please, let us stop this We are all humans.

Not perfect, not amazing Definitely not worthless.

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We have to love people Just for their differences.

Cause difference is good And judging, is plain ignorance .

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You’ll be amazed with your ability.

Only if you start loving, and all it takes is your liability.

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Say Masha’Allah Gallery is a teacher-led, student-driven art gallery housed inside Ubah Medical Academy high school in Hopkins, Minnesota.

Art instructor Katie Do has taught drawing, painting and sculpture for over 7 years to Ubah’s students. To enhance arts literacy at the school, Ubah has collaborated with local artists and institutions to provide students opportunities to engage with professional artists and access to resources to create art and enhance their artmaking skills.

Ubah has collaborated with photographer and visual storyteller, Mohamud Mumin, and graphic designer and visual artist, Kaamil A. Haider for over 3 years. Together with instructor Do, they guide participating students in projects where they explore photography and graphic design as a means of visual communication and creative expression in a culturally relevant context, as well as providing exposure to college arts learning environments.

Students in these courses get the opportunity to exhibit their work at Say Masha’Allah Gallery where the teachers, staff, students and the community at large can see and interact with their work.

Ubah Medical Academy is a public charter high school serving grades 9-12. Founded in 2004 by educational leaders in the East African community, it has consistently ranked as one of the state’s highest performing Title 1 schools by the Minnesota Dept. of Education.

All the exhibits and programming at Say Masha’Allah Gallery are free.

1600 Mainstreet Hopkins, MN 55343

(952) 540-2942

www.saymashallahgallery.com