I know I'm venturing into an issue that is of extremely sensitive nature. However I feel that we as Indians quite often misinterpret the true meaning of the term "racism". Multiple definitions of the term exists as per individual interpretations, however in simplistic terms it means 'a form of discrimination based on race, color or origin .' The discrimination ranges from verbal abuse (direct) to favoritism toward individuals of the same race (indirect).
Lets take a recent classic case of the incident that transpired on the hit British reality show 'Big Brother', where the Indian actress Shilpa Shetty was pelted with some verbal invectives. Thousands of British Indians saw that on national television and condemned it and to a certain extent they were justified in expressing their disapproval of such thoughts. A lot of fuss was made about the specific comments regarding the way she behaved and the way she spoke. I agree the manner of putting those comments may not have been appropriate, but surely comments made on an individual by no means completely reflect racist behavior.
Such comments are taken far too seriously by Indians. If such an opinion is indeed racist then I'm afraid we Indians are the biggest racists of 'em all. When we talk about people of foreign origin, we refer to them as 'goras' meaning 'white people'. We refer to African Americans as 'kallus'. Don't we at times make fun of the way these individuals behave? Why are we so distrustful of 'Blacks' or 'Hispanics'? I am dumbfounded by this question in same way as millions of us are. Forget the indifferent attitude towards these people, we Indians do not even spare our own. Discrimination within different regions, religions and sub-sects of these religions is not uncommon amongst us. Mind you, I'm not generalizing but the truth is out there. Deep within us we all know that every individual has his or her own set of ideas and beliefs which at some point or the other has compelled us to behave in a racist manner.
These questions are difficult to answer, but I'm not searching for the answers. All I'm trying to say is that we should all be a little more considerate. Pointing fingers on individuals who make potentially racist comments is easy, but it is very difficult to refrain one self from acting in a similar manner. Whether its spoken about or not racism is here to stay, so be courageous enough to face it.
Lets take a recent classic case of the incident that transpired on the hit British reality show 'Big Brother', where the Indian actress Shilpa Shetty was pelted with some verbal invectives. Thousands of British Indians saw that on national television and condemned it and to a certain extent they were justified in expressing their disapproval of such thoughts. A lot of fuss was made about the specific comments regarding the way she behaved and the way she spoke. I agree the manner of putting those comments may not have been appropriate, but surely comments made on an individual by no means completely reflect racist behavior.
Such comments are taken far too seriously by Indians. If such an opinion is indeed racist then I'm afraid we Indians are the biggest racists of 'em all. When we talk about people of foreign origin, we refer to them as 'goras' meaning 'white people'. We refer to African Americans as 'kallus'. Don't we at times make fun of the way these individuals behave? Why are we so distrustful of 'Blacks' or 'Hispanics'? I am dumbfounded by this question in same way as millions of us are. Forget the indifferent attitude towards these people, we Indians do not even spare our own. Discrimination within different regions, religions and sub-sects of these religions is not uncommon amongst us. Mind you, I'm not generalizing but the truth is out there. Deep within us we all know that every individual has his or her own set of ideas and beliefs which at some point or the other has compelled us to behave in a racist manner.
These questions are difficult to answer, but I'm not searching for the answers. All I'm trying to say is that we should all be a little more considerate. Pointing fingers on individuals who make potentially racist comments is easy, but it is very difficult to refrain one self from acting in a similar manner. Whether its spoken about or not racism is here to stay, so be courageous enough to face it.
2 comments:
hi uncle.
thru million of years of history, humanity in general and Indians in particular, have always been looking for endless ways of segmenting and segregating people - race, color, religion, sex, social caste, modern world first world vs. third world.
treating others of the same speices with mutual respect are virtuous values that humanity is not endowed with. our four-legged cousins are far far ahead on this count (look at a pack of deer/school of fish and you'd know).
I love Hitler though - you know why!!
Hehe...Adios amigos...
Good work Nish, keep it up n goin...
I believe, since racism originates from the mind, it is here to stay ...'Discrimination' is everywhere...why just human beings, even animals show discriminating behaviour by favoring the fittest and the finest....a female animal always chooses the best male for mating, isn't it? Someone may point out, whats this got to do with racism? Well, I think, this is how racism originates! Nature as well as nuture make us behave in such a way...Now, nature is not in our hands but nuture sure is. Therefore, though we think and act differently, look and live differently, we can 'nuture' ourselves and the future generation to respect the diversity in the world. We can encourage ourselves and others not to shun diversity rather celebrate it!! Its diversity that makes the world so interesting, otherwise, wouldnt everything be very boring??
Also, when we label people as "kallus" or "goras", it is just a jestful way of refering to them...I do not think we have ever insulted or misbehaved with anyone.
Finally, I am not ANGRY with the people who behave in a racist manner, I PITY them, while everyone sees the world in 'COLORS', they see everything in 'BLACK' and 'WHITE'!!!
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