"She Shall Not Be Moved" by Shereen Pandit
This powerful story explores themes of racism, moral responsibility, and the complexities of immigrant identity through a tense situation on a London bus.
The narrator, a woman with a foreign background, is riding a bus with her daughter Mariam when they witness an act of discrimination. Two elderly white women are blocking seats designated for people with prams, forcing a Somali woman with a pram and two children to stand in the aisle.
Highlight: The story begins with the narrator's regretful reflection: "I would've changed something if..." This sets the tone for the moral dilemma that unfolds.
The situation escalates when the bus driver, a black man, loses his temper and shouts at the Somali woman for blocking the aisle. The narrator, despite recognizing the injustice, hesitates to intervene.
Quote: "Fear of foreigner to stand up for other foreigners, feeling inferior, knowing that it's wrong to be a bystander, dilemma, inner conflict."
This internal struggle highlights the complex dynamics at play, including the fear of confrontation and the desire to avoid drawing attention as a foreigner oneself.
The story takes an interesting turn when the narrator refuses to give up her seat for an elderly white woman, demonstrating a form of reverse racism. This action disappoints her daughter Mariam, who wants to offer her seat.
Vocabulary: Reverse racism - Prejudice or discrimination against members of a dominant racial group.
As the Somali woman exits the bus, she shouts "racists!" The narrator offers to help report the driver, but the Somali woman refuses, calling the driver a "slave ofthesystem."
Definition: Bystander - A person who is present at an event or incident but does not take part.
The story concludes with the narrator feeling upset with herself, reflecting on the incident throughout the day. This ending emphasizes the lasting impact of such encounters and the weight of moral choices in the face of discrimination.
This story provides rich material for discussion on racism, moral responsibility, and the complexities of immigrant experiences in multicultural societies, making it highly relevant for Englisch LK Abitur 2024 NRW Themen.
