The Covid-19 pandemic has been brimming with revelations for many individuals worldwide, irrespective of gender, age and race.
Like many others, the pandemic has unearthed aspects of myself that I didn’t acknowledge the existence of earlier.
Before face masks, social distancing and permanently dry hands (due to too much hand sanitiser) became the new normal, I had a thriving friendship circle.
We giggled until our eyes streamed with salty tears and mascara trickled down our cheeks.
We bonded by whining over trivial matters such as missing the train or quarrelling with our parents.
We spoke of the future and where we envisioned ourselves in 10 years.
As the PM’s press conferences continued to invade our television screens, the connection with my so-called ride-or-die friends dwindled.
This unique situation has allowed every one of us to pause, reflect and reset.
On a smaller scale, I have tried to use this time wisely to confront issues I’d actively dodged in the past, amid fear of misinterpretation and cruel judgement.
The pandemic made me realise I’m the token brown friend.
In our group, I was the expert on tan maintenance, shops to buy henna and bindis from and the one to turn to for tedious lessons about race.
It all originated when I constantly second-guessed my friends’ intentions when they referenced race.