Moshiur Samid, an international student from Bangladesh studying physics at the University of Regina, recently shared a distressing experience of racial discrimination in Regina. Walking home from a 7-Eleven with two friends, Samid was confronted by four men in a car who hurled racist insults and threats at them, even throwing coffee at Samid. The incident, which occurred late at night on December 23 near downtown Regina, left the group shocked and alarmed.
Despite trying to ignore the aggressors, the situation escalated as the men in the car persistently targeted them with derogatory remarks and threats. One of the men even threw a cup of cold coffee at Samid’s face during one of their encounters. Feeling bewildered and unsure how to react, Samid and his friends continued walking home, deeply affected by the unprovoked attack.
This unfortunate incident reflects a disturbing trend that Samid believes is on the rise, both online and in real life. While Canada has traditionally been welcoming, instances of hate and discrimination have become more prevalent, prompting Samid to speak out against such behavior to prevent other newcomers from enduring similar mistreatment.
Samid’s friend, Shariar Sabith, also a physics student at the University of Regina, was profoundly shaken by the incident, experiencing anger and emotional distress in the aftermath. Despite feeling helpless, Sabith managed to take note of the car’s license plate, which they later reported to the police upon arriving home. The Regina Police Service confirmed that they are investigating the incident.
This incident, as noted by Reena Kukreja, an associate professor at Queen’s University, is not an isolated occurrence. Kukreja’s research highlights a concerning normalization of hateful rhetoric leading to abusive interactions, particularly targeting racialized migrants like Samid and his friends. The current climate of anti-immigrant rhetoric has contributed to an increase in hate incidents against marginalized communities, a trend that needs to be addressed promptly by authorities and society at large.
Samid and Sabith expressed disappointment in the police response, hoping for a thorough investigation and accountability for the perpetrators. Despite the trauma they experienced, their focus remains on seeking justice and ensuring that such acts of hate do not go unpunished.
