Our world has a dark past. There was once a time when groups of people declared themselves superior to others based on the colour of their skin, or the place of their birth, or the religion they followed. They trampled on the rights and lives of those they considered inferior and sub-human.
Much time has passed since then. Such people remain in our midst, but by and large the civilised world scoffs at any sign of discrimination. We are horrified at any sign of discrimination and proceed to stamp it out as soon as we see it.
This is where we go wrong. We are too preoccupied with the signs.
I believe the act of offending and the act of taking offence are both voluntary. I can’t offend people without intending to offend them, just like I can’t be offended if I refuse to be offended.
Discrimination happens when one intends to discriminate. Minus the intent, discrimination doesn’t exist.
My Muslim friends calling me kaafir isn’t discrimination. Russell Peters’ comedy is not racist. Miley Cyrus’ doing the “slant-eye” gesture does not make her racist. These signs don’t mean anything without malicious intent.
What keeps discrimination alive is the victim mentality. Both on the part of the so-called victims and those out to protect them from discrimination.
In 2006, a section of the Jewish community in Mumbai protested the opening of a restaurant called Hitler’s Cross in the city. They said they were insulted by the use of Hitler’s name. Slum-dwellers in Mumbai’s Dharavi protested against the movie Slumdog Millionaire when it came out, saying they found the word “dog” derogatory.
A few days ago, America protested the publishing of a newspaper cartoon it saw as racist and offensive. A section of the Muslims in Kolkata protested an article published in The Statesman making a point about criticising religions.
The Hindi word for ghost is ‘bhoot’. It also means ‘past’. As long as we insist on the ghosts of our past ruling our present, we will never reach a future that is free of it.
where did your previous post go?
Thought it was unclear. Broke it down into this post and another one.
@Vimoh – So what exactly do we conclude from this post of yours? That we must forget the past, and live in the present. So we should forget what Hitler did?
Yes Prateek we must. If we want to ever be rid of the damage they have done to our world, we must let go of people like Hitler and move on. That’s not to say we must not learn from them. But that is not what we are doing. We are harbouring fear and insecurity in our hearts.
Hitler didn’t just kill people. He planted seeds of his violence in our hearts. As long as we keep on fearing his ways and hating him, we will keep him alive. Enough whining. Move on.
Good point Vimoh – I agree, we are as a people together getting more and more pc about what’s racist and what’s not. I agree a lot of times, people should just lighten up and “enjoy the show” (especially in case of R. Peters
)
That being said, this post of yours, is NO reason to excuse REAL racism which STILL exists. When people beat people up for no other reason except that they’re from another country (like what’s happening in Australia today, which is I’m sure what’s prompted this post) or worse, when they’re killed.
And Worst of all – when the officials in charge of protecting them not only do nothing, but refuse to accept it for what it is.
India has still a long way to go in changing our racist ways. And sadly, apparently so do many western developed countries.
Am I sitting on the fence? No. I’m saying use your judgment and common sense. If one Indian kid is mugged, perhaps its an urban violence thing. If 100 Indian kids are mugged and attacked over the last year – perhaps it merits a more in-depth look.
My 3 cents. Hope I didn’t go on too long. Regards to you, as always.
Melody: The purpose of the post was not to deny racism exists, but to throw light on what keeps it alive. It was written long ago, back when Miley Cyrus did the chinky-eyed thing. It’s meaning however remains relevant to the current soup.
Racism does exist. Just like ethnocentrism, religious discrimination, gender bias, and a whole lot of other biases do. Discrimination will always exist, in some form or other.
The point I am trying to make is that we give racism a new lease of life every time we give it recognition. Stop calling it racism, or terrorism, or gender-bias and it will turn into just an ordinary murder or crime. Then treat it as such.
Not saying we should ignore it. Just that we shouldn’t focus on it as much as we do.
In that case, extremely well said said Moh!
Ah! Very good examples – says exactly what’s happening in India.
Any social activity (Partying, Cheating, Gossip, Sarcasm, Courting …. endless list) occurs when atleast one party responds to social signs. Racism is not different.
An important question here (in the racism case) is : why the victims respond negatively? What makes them think they are being targeted? Where that insecurity of being exploited come from? Can anything change their minds? Self esteem? Money? Social acceptance? (That will be opposite to racism)
Self-esteem I think. Nobody can help you if you don’t help yourself.