She Shall Not Be Moved

This short story about multiculturalism follows a Black female narrator, a political refugee in Britain, who fails to stand up against racism on a bus. The story explores themes of moral principles, cowardice, and the complexities of confronting discrimination.

The narrator, a woman with strong convictions about right and wrong, witnesses racist behavior towards a Somali woman on a bus but does not intervene. Despite her background as a political activist, she offers numerous excuses for her inaction. The story delves into her internal conflict and shame at betraying her own principles.

Highlight: The title "She Shall Not Be Moved" references a spiritual song that became an anthem for Civil Rights activists, emphasizing the Somali woman's dignity in the face of discrimination.

Key characters include the proud Somali woman who faces racism with dignity, the narrator's daughter Miriam who is confused by her mother's inaction, and two racist white women dubbed "Cardie" and "Mac". The Black bus driver's complicity in the discrimination adds another layer to the exploration of internalized racism.

Quote: The narrator describes the Somali woman calling the bus driver "a slave" while asserting "I am not a slave," highlighting themes of dignity and resistance.

The story provides a nuanced examination of racism, moral courage, and the challenges of living up to one's ideals in the face of discrimination. It raises questions about solidarity, cowardice, and the complexities of navigating multicultural societies.