The Ethiopian community cries out: enough!
Opinion: I can say with pride that our protest was staged in the same way we were brought up, with the quiet that is so typical of us, with determination and with our head held high. Labeling us as a violent community is unjust. The only difference between us and you is the color of our skin.
And I can say with pride that we staged the protest in the same way we were brought up, with the calm and quiet that is so typical of us, with determination and with our head held high. We did it while united and shouting "enough!"
Enough! Let us live with dignity while feeling secure in a country that we fought so hard to reach, in a country that is ours.
Enough! We don't want to swarm the streets and fight for our basic rights. We do want to walk the streets (safely), go to work, gain education, go shopping and have fun, while feeling secure and normal.
Labeling us as a violent community is wrong. It's unjust. Instead of labeling us, try to get to know us. Look us in the eye, see who we really are. We are exactly like everyone else. The only difference is the color of our skin. My heart beats exactly like yours and I want the same things as every 27-year-old woman wants—love, family, work and a safe life. That's all.
Titi Aynaw is a former beauty queen, a model and a lecturer.
