A Thought Piece on Visibility, Allyship, and Community Power
Leyla Eskender
You cannot be what you cannot see
This simple truth echoes in the hearts of many Canadians whose communities remain invisible at the tables where decisions are made. While Canada prides itself on diversity, multiculturalism, and democratic values, the reality is that many racialized, stateless, and historically marginalized groups still remain absent from real political representation. And among them are the Kurds—a people who have contributed to Canadian society in countless ways, yet continue to exist in the shadows of the political landscape.
This silence is not accidental. It is structural.
We Show Up—but Are We Counted?
From business to academia, from frontline health workers to community organizers, Kurds in Canada are present. They are building lives, raising families, starting businesses, volunteering, and giving back. But presence is not the same as power.
Despite generations of effort, there are no Kurdish voices in Parliament, no official recognition of Kurdish identity in the Canadian census, and little to no consultation with Kurdish organizations on foreign or domestic policy—especially in matters that directly affect our people, such as refugee policy, human rights, or international peacekeeping.
We are told this is a country for everyone. And yet, when it’s time to make decisions, our voices are not in the room.
The Politics of Inclusion: For Some, Not All
Canada’s political system is gradually opening doors for Indigenous leaders, Black Canadians, South Asians, Arab Canadians, and more—and this progress deserves recognition. But true equity is not a numbers game. It’s about dismantling the barriers that keep some communities perpetually on the outside.
Kurds, as a stateless people, face unique challenges. We don’t fit neatly into a checkbox. We are Middle Eastern—but not Arab. We are Muslim—but not always practicing. We are survivors of genocide, yet not named in Canada’s refugee narratives. This in-between status means we often fall through the cracks of representation.
Without visibility, our needs go unspoken. Without representation, our history remains untold.
When Allyship Ends at Optics
We are often told to “get involved,” “run for office,” “join the conversation.” But it’s not that simple.
Political engagement requires access, mentorship, financial backing, and media presence. For newcomers and working-class communities—especially those recovering from trauma or displacement—these resources are often out of reach. Allyship must go beyond slogans and Instagram posts. Real support means empowering community members to lead, not just inviting them to the audience.
Ask yourself: When was the last time a Kurdish voice was included in a government roundtable? A policy forum? A national consultation?
If the answer is silence, then there is still work to be done.
Building Power from the Ground Up
Representation is not just about winning a seat in Parliament. It’s about shaping the narrative. It’s about reclaiming the right to speak, to be seen, and to belong—not as guests, but as citizens with equal stake in the future of this country.
Across Canada, there is hope. Kurdish students are forming organizations. Artists are telling our stories. Women are rising into leadership. Small community initiatives are planting the seeds of collective power. The next step is to amplify these voices, invest in civic education, and create spaces where Kurdish Canadians can grow into the leaders this country needs—but has yet to recognize.
What Canada Needs to Hear
Representation is not charity—it is justice. And it must include everyone.
Canada cannot claim to be a beacon of democracy while continuing to leave out those whose histories don’t fit the mainstream narrative. If this country truly believes in diversity, it must begin to act like it—not just in words, but in who gets invited into the rooms where decisions are made.
It’s time for Canada to listen—not only to the loudest voices, but to the voices it has not yet heard.
Because we are here. And we are ready.
