Racism starts right here
The other day I overheard a very inane conversation between two people. “She is fair, but her sister is so dark, so ugly,” said one of the two.
It seems that colour is of utmost importance when determining how goodlooking people are, for many. Of course, I couldn’t care less what people thought of me. But to interact on an daily basis with people who are so prejudiced, truly irks me.
In Mumbai, the prejudice seems less. I have met many people from all communities and religions and they seem more evolved.
Another conversation.
“Guess what is the latest gossip?”
” Yes?”
“So-and-so is getting divorced and we think it is because he is gay,” they tell me with relish.
Oks…I ask, “Are you more amused because he is getting divorced, or because he is gay?”
“The latter of course. “
I really have nothing to say, except that, we should stop taking such pleasure in someone else’s pain.
Malicious gossip and colour prejudices, are often indulged by the best of people, and by that mean those who are educated and have had a chance in life.
They don’t realise the damage and hurt, words can cause to the object of their conversation. If you come across a friend or someone who indulges in it, I think you should explain to them in a very simple manner, why they should STOP, right now.
you are right. *makes a mental note to do the above*
This is good advice, although a follow-up question would be, “why do we fall into this trap in the first place?” Racism is sown over people’s entire lifetimes, and change seems to only come as the next generations learn from the sins of their parents. Unfortunately, the next generations invent new forms of racism, also.
This is similar to your earlier blog about the marketing of products such as “Fair and Handsome” and “Fair and Beautiful”, which support this stereotypical impression that lighter skin is preferable to darker skin and that self-worth should somehow be derived from that. As a culture, we swallow this marketing line (along with the hook and the sinker) without questioning it EVEN IF WE VERBALLY PROFESS THAT IT’S BUNK.
Every culture has its own version of this.. it’s own image of perfection and beauty spun. Unfortunately this spreads from the marketing of products to cultural behavior and may eventually lead beyond societal discrimination to the point of genocide (when societies take racism to the level of toxic infection).
It seems hopeless sometimes that one can ever make a difference because change happens so slowly and is very difficult. But we can all start with ourselves and then positively influence those with whom we have close relationships. That alone will make a difference.
Is that why your photo on your ryze page is deliberately bleached out? My my.. Hypocrisy has several forms!
My girl should be fair and slim with light eyes…… preferably no pimples and with long well manicured nails.
And I don’t care what anybody thinks about that.
…except, Sandeep, that Merril might smack ya!
Ooops…. who is Sandeep?
It’s pretty much the norm worldwide. Sad to say the more educated we are we still haven’t left our cocoons or the stereotype beliefs. Telling these people what u think upfront won’t really matter – many don’t really care. It takes many early years to formulate one’s perspective, right from one’s upbringing, culture and the picture media plays. Media today is less biased and that along with the new neutral genre is probably our only hope.