“The reason people think it’s important to be white is that they think it’s important not to be black.”
This was a quote by someone named James Baldwin. He was one of many inspiring writers the world has ever known.
But he is not our topic of discussion today. It’s something about you.
So let us go on to why I was recalling this particular quote.
A few days ago, my granny called me into her room. She was quiet lost in thought about something which must have been disturbing her deep inside. I wound up feeling like I’ve been called into the principal’s office for detention. Believe me you will never like those sessions with my relatives.
She patted down to the space near her on the bed. While I consciously sat down, she inhaled a deep breathe. I knew I was definitely in trouble. But she started with a topic I never bothered to think about much. “RELIGION”
As much as I wanted to listen to her, I didn’t know how this was even remotely related to whatever mistake I did. After ranting on for like forever, she gave a pause to say, “I know she is your best friend since your high school, but she is also a Christian by birth. You should be very careful around her.”
Obviously my immediate reaction was yelling at her and stomping my way out of the room for it was one thing to love Hinduism and another thing to accuse my best friend for being a Christian.
I was angry and annoyed over the fact, that she was accusing my friend for a stupid reason. Being so frustrated, I never realised why she said what she said.
What is racism?
When googled, ‘prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior’ was the answer I found.
Pretty hardcore, huh?
But I found this definition was too harsh. My granny did not seem like a racist. It was not the first time my granny had lectured me regarding someone’s religion. It was only then I realised that whenever she had mentioned this topic, it was always about someone else. A particular someone who was in no way pivotal to me or my life. But when it came to my best friend, I went into an autopilot mode to fight her. I have been shutting out the fact that this has been happening throughout my life and I had no clue.
Our life is short and it’s amazing that some facts get registered in your brain even without your knowledge. In today’s modern world we seem to have developed in many ways. But are we sure we left racism behind us when we stepped into the 20th century. The sad truth is, racism never left us. We see it daily with our eyes open everyday, doing nothing about it. When I googled about other versions of racism I came across a term “SUBTLE RACISM”. It’s pretty much a subtler version of racism.
We are subtle racists in one way or the other. We have been overlooking very minute details all through our lives just because they are not significant or pivotal in our lives. To fight a bigger cause, we have to believe in it ourselves. When I learnt the subconscious emotions which were fed by our ancestors, I figured
Maybe we got all this wrong?
Maybe it’s actually not about being a Hindu or a Christian or any other religion for the fact?
Maybe it is just the sense of belonging?
Or is it a change of opinion?
Maybe it’s all about the fear of unknown?
The fact that we have been living in groups has allowed us to bond with our fellow mates. But it has also created a gap between those groups. My granny feared my safety for she had only heard stories from others on how a religion works and never seen it in person. So with a lot of ‘maybe’s in my mind, I decided to show my granny what she was missing out in life. I took her to my friend’s house for Christmas. We had cakes, presents, prayers (Nope, couldn’t escape that one) and lots and lots of fun. Surprisingly my granny won the first prize in Pictionary.
In the end I realised no one wants to be a racist by heart. We just don’t want to be left out of our group by being able to understand the others. I was not able to entirely remove her negative thoughts on other religions, but I succeeded in making her realise that there is a bigger world out there where there is no difference in colour, race or religion.
Happy New year everyone and make sure to do something about the subtle racists around you in the upcoming 2020.
You will. Won’t you? 😉
poetry
”If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.” – an African proverb.
Growing up I happened to come across this proverb everywhere I go. My grandfather would always insist on how far we go. On the other hand, my father would recommend me to shove others out of my way so that I can go faster than everyone else. These contrary ideas are what we, millennials have been seeded with. But which one to chose?!
Kids these days have a lot of choices. Digitalisation has allowed a kid from Japan meet one from Mexico. An old man can connect with a teenager. They get hundreds of ideas and scenarios for the same problem or statements. Likewise, the meanings of this proverb prove to be endless. It keeps changing from one person’s perspective to another.
What should I do now?!
Should I go far?!
Or should I go fast?!
Parents of the millennials expect their wards to be perfect in everything. They want their kids to go faster and further and become better than everyone else out there. But is it even possible?!
Come on, guys. Let’s be realistic. Nobody is perfect. ’I have it all’ attitudes is nothing but a freak show that people smear on their faces to show off.
So what if I don’t want to go fast and like to be around a bunch of knuckleheads where I can laugh, love and enjoy my life?
So what if I chose to go faster ignoring others?
This you guys, is something you should think about with almost seriousness. Success, or rather here, how far or how fast is determined only by your personal happiness. It may not seem to come to you at the beginning. But like my father or grandfather, we will surely have our own experiences to validate what is what. To tell our kids our own version of this proverb.
My version of this proverb is ”The happier you are the farther or the fastest you have come.”
Have a great day, guys. See you around.
Dharshana Sekar
The cancer…
He saw
She fell
They talked
They hanged out
He fell
She got cancer
He quit
She cried
Was hugged
Another man
In her life
She forgot
He loved
Her forever
And her
Last words
To him were
“Love you dad”
Dharshana sekar
Flashtimezz 