This crazy habit that most of us Indians have is the habit of disowning someone because of color – the reason being that the person probably does not measure up to a certain format. I do not mean that we, as a people are color prejudiced – I just mean that most of us are prejudiced in a generic sense. When we hear about attacks on our people overseas being bullied because of color or ethnicity, our blood boils. The issue is that we mete out the same to our own. Take for example when it comes to finding a suitable spouse, the main criterion is the fairness “must have”. Many young women/young girls are discarded because they do not meet the cut. This continues in a friends circle. It is easier and even accepted to befriend someone who is fair, rather than someone dark skinned. Perhaps the association is ‘dark’ is relative to a class divide or even a caste divide, pretty obvious in our diverse culture. The workplace, sometimes also sees an emphasis on the relevance of fair, which is rather unfair.
The New Normal
People being judged by what they look like is so darn nasty. I raise this story to emphasize a point about color prejudice rearing its ugly head in a place of worship. Perhaps there is another reason, but I really wonder. At a church, the choir was applauded for their lovely tone and the harmonies that they brought in God’s holy place. I use the word harmony not only harmony in verse but also the harmony with each other. A few African youth lent their voices and the choir sounded heavenly. I suppose this did not sit well with a few because of language, and what not, and to the dismay of the parishioners, these lovely young men were ousted. Definitely NOT by the choir members, as everyone is a family, but by a person of authority. The reason provided was "simple” – the Africans need to go because they are migrants. Oh my gosh! The tactic by the priest, who needs to be a shepherd, and should never discriminate, was that either the “migrants” leave or he would. I wonder if the boys were fair, would he have played fair! Oh well!
No Political Aspirations
We, expect hospitality, and love from other nations and races. To the day, not many embrace a tall leader like Mrs. Sonia Gandhi as one of us. In case you think that I am a ‘congi’ let me also state that I hated the view that a ‘chaiwala’ could not become Prime Minister. That was not nice. As you can see, I am neither a bhakt or a congi or a pro whatsoever, just stating the fact that we are prejudicial. We raise our voices when our own are treated with disrespect abroad. When misinformed voices of dissent in foreign shores refer to our brethren as ‘Pakis’ because of a certain tone or texture of skin, we go on a bender and spout venom. We laud people in high places who have the origin of our motherland. Yet, we disparage others and also prescribe to the anomaly of being racist.
In Praise of the Praiseworthy
What therefore is fair, I wonder. Is it a way of life that is a part of our mental makeup or can we change and be proud of each other, irrespective of color. Fairness creams will hardly change the color of the skin so that debate is pretty reductionist in tone. Our maid used to buy a fairness cream with immense faith. I enquired once if she noticed any difference in the color of her skin after using the cream. Her logic, at the time, was that the cream would work sometime soon. She lived in hope. After using the product for over 10 years and the color remained the same, why did she waste money on it, I asked her. Today, she says that she does not buy the product, and I seriously hope that she lets her beauty shine without banking on something that will never work.
Ergo
It seems to be that being fair is a ‘virtue’ as once you are fair you go places. This is such a ridiculous thought that is bereft of any virtuous slant whatsoever, don’t you think? The beauty of diversity is being able to embrace each other irrespective of class or color and even caste. But, what do I know, except that I loathe the idea of judging someone because of the color of her or his skin! The darkness prevalent is from within people who cast aspersions on others, based on race, gender, color, and status.
The bottom line, being fair is when we rid ourselves of the darkness within and do not judge others, period.
The New Normal
People being judged by what they look like is so darn nasty. I raise this story to emphasize a point about color prejudice rearing its ugly head in a place of worship. Perhaps there is another reason, but I really wonder. At a church, the choir was applauded for their lovely tone and the harmonies that they brought in God’s holy place. I use the word harmony not only harmony in verse but also the harmony with each other. A few African youth lent their voices and the choir sounded heavenly. I suppose this did not sit well with a few because of language, and what not, and to the dismay of the parishioners, these lovely young men were ousted. Definitely NOT by the choir members, as everyone is a family, but by a person of authority. The reason provided was "simple” – the Africans need to go because they are migrants. Oh my gosh! The tactic by the priest, who needs to be a shepherd, and should never discriminate, was that either the “migrants” leave or he would. I wonder if the boys were fair, would he have played fair! Oh well!
No Political Aspirations
We, expect hospitality, and love from other nations and races. To the day, not many embrace a tall leader like Mrs. Sonia Gandhi as one of us. In case you think that I am a ‘congi’ let me also state that I hated the view that a ‘chaiwala’ could not become Prime Minister. That was not nice. As you can see, I am neither a bhakt or a congi or a pro whatsoever, just stating the fact that we are prejudicial. We raise our voices when our own are treated with disrespect abroad. When misinformed voices of dissent in foreign shores refer to our brethren as ‘Pakis’ because of a certain tone or texture of skin, we go on a bender and spout venom. We laud people in high places who have the origin of our motherland. Yet, we disparage others and also prescribe to the anomaly of being racist.
In Praise of the Praiseworthy
What therefore is fair, I wonder. Is it a way of life that is a part of our mental makeup or can we change and be proud of each other, irrespective of color. Fairness creams will hardly change the color of the skin so that debate is pretty reductionist in tone. Our maid used to buy a fairness cream with immense faith. I enquired once if she noticed any difference in the color of her skin after using the cream. Her logic, at the time, was that the cream would work sometime soon. She lived in hope. After using the product for over 10 years and the color remained the same, why did she waste money on it, I asked her. Today, she says that she does not buy the product, and I seriously hope that she lets her beauty shine without banking on something that will never work.
Ergo
It seems to be that being fair is a ‘virtue’ as once you are fair you go places. This is such a ridiculous thought that is bereft of any virtuous slant whatsoever, don’t you think? The beauty of diversity is being able to embrace each other irrespective of class or color and even caste. But, what do I know, except that I loathe the idea of judging someone because of the color of her or his skin! The darkness prevalent is from within people who cast aspersions on others, based on race, gender, color, and status.
The bottom line, being fair is when we rid ourselves of the darkness within and do not judge others, period.
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