Thread by @Jessicaology

Winnipeg has been trying.

Recently, I was sent to photograph professional-level hockey. It was a low-key, media-only event. They checked our IDs and vaccination cards at the front door and I headed to the media gallery to photograph.

1/17

A few minutes in, a security guard walked into the media area and asked for my ID. Annoyed because I had photos to make and limited time, I told him that my ID had been checked at the door already, but he persisted. I showed him my ID to get him off my back.

2/17

I thought he would check everyone else’s ID too (there was a freelancer without a media badge beside me) but he walked away. I later asked other journalists if they had been questioned by security for being there. They hadn’t.

3/17

I was the only female POC in a crowd of white, male media, at a hockey event. What was I supposed to expect? The security saw someone he thought didn’t belong in that space and unprompted by anyone, he singled me out.

4/17

When I first moved to Winnipeg, I went with a reporter to photograph an event at a company. The reporter was given a parking pass by security. I wasn't for whatever reason though it was noted to everyone I hadn’t received one. We parked in the same place, beside each other.

5/17

Security asked us to move our cars but the media coordinator said it was fine for us to stay there since we were already running late. Security reluctantly agreed.

6/17

We came back from the event an hour later and there was a parking memo from security on my car saying I could not park there. My white, male, middle-aged colleague did not receive the same memo.

7/17

The note didn’t mean anything. I don't owe a fine and there are no tangible consequences. But for a moment it panicked me and then angered me. The reporter with me that day didn't have to deal with these same feelings because he was already given a parking pass.

8/17

He probably went home to his family, filed his story and didn't give another thought of what didn't happen to him. This incident is so small and probably something that I would have brushed off my shoulder as misunderstanding had I been the only person there.

9/17

I was also asked if I was a permanent resident by security that day. My white colleague was not. We were both born in Canada. If this is the treatment I receive, how much worse is it for newcomers?

10/17

Both of these incidents I’ve just described are microaggressions, something which many people from marginalized backgrounds are familiar with.

11/17

I cannot ignore that my white, male, colleagues received completely different treatment than I did both those days. They went home unaffected. Meanwhile, I was fuming and grappling with what happened, if I should do anything about it and all kinds of existential questions.

12/17

Why did I receive different treatment? Is this racism or sexism? What kind of person would I be if I didn't speak up? Am I being too sensitive? Do I tell my editor about what happened?

13/17

In the end, I decided even if I didn't speak up for myself, I want to speak up for others in the same situation. I am sending notes to those organizations. If I am not using my position/voice to make the lives of others who come after me easier what am I even doing in journalism?

I’m glad this happened to me and not someone else. I’m lucky I grew up in a community where when I spoke, I was believed and taken seriously. My background has given me the confidence to use my voice and speak up when something isn’t right.

15/17

When I was younger, I met older Canadian BIPOC folks who had chips in their shoulders. I didn’t understand why they were that way then, but I do now. Discrimination doesn’t have to be overt. A lifetime of small slights can make you feel unwelcome & as if you don’t belong

16/17

Q for you, the person who made it to the end of this thread: how can you use your privilege to make lives easier for those around you? How can you start? Thanks for reading!

17/17

@caj @NPAC_APPC @PhotojsUnited @diversifyphoto @CNStorytellers @roomupfront #CJOC #cdnmedia