Ahmed’s “The Injured Body” is now set to be completed amid one of the largest racial protest movements in recent history. She says it “is a response to this political moment, but also to the foundational racism embedded in American life. It showcases the voices of a diverse and international group of women of color who share stories of micro (and not-so-micro) aggressions.”

Inspired by Claudia Rankine’s book “Citizen: An American Lyric”, the filmmaker has found echoes and a common voice in the words of this celebrated Jamaican-born poet and writer. According to Ahmed, “In an interview about her book, Rankine explains how ‘understandings around race and positioning around whiteness are at a point now that they feel invisible, except to the receiver. That’s part of what white privilege is, that you are able to move forward and do what you want without any pushback, and then consequently without any thought to what you said or what you’ve done, especially when you have a society that doesn’t penalize people when they do even more egregious things, like shooting people in the back.”

[…] It is uncertain how we are going to overcome the recent health and economic crisis that has hit immigrant communities and people of color the hardest. When I asked Ahmed what would be a way to engage and support these communities at this time, she admits: “This is a big question. Many have said how the pandemic is a great equalizer. Sadly, it’s quite the opposite. The pandemic throws into sharp relief the gross inequities and cruelties of a maniacally greedy, profit-oriented, dehumanizing capitalist system. Income and wealth inequalities in the US are obscene. The global distribution of wealth is even more distorted and disturbing. It’s a suicidal system. At this time of crisis, we need to provide resources to the most vulnerable: large public projects that provide employment and housing, healthcare, testing and personal protective equipment for all, and equal access to technology, which is essential for remote learning, online work, and social distancing. People’s lives depend on this. We should also keep in mind that pre-corona life is NOT what we want to return to. This is the time to imagine and organize a just, kind, and decolonial world. We must be wary of disaster capitalism and remain committed to our vision, even in the midst of a disorienting crisis. It can’t be said often enough that we are all in this together.” More here.