So many people are today ashamed of being north Indians. And all because of some TRP hungry news persons. Actually, being with the media and PR deptt right now, I should probably be happy about the power media holds over smart, educated people such as my friends. But I also happen to be a cynic, and more importantly, a North Indian. So, I'd like to add my bit to this whole debate, howsoever limited my audience maybe.
What happened to young Tania was unfortunate, sad, deplorable. Would it have happened had he had big, almond eyes? Yes, it would have. Would it have happened had he been a strapping six foot NE guy with a couple of friends around? NO!
Racism is discriminating against people from a different race, place or culture. To experience it, go to Chennai in a car with a Punjab number plate. Or go to Bengal and talk in Hindi. Or just walk into a London pub with ur happy, brown, Indian face. That is truly racist. Picking on someone that appears alone and defenseless is just predatory. It could be a lone woman on a dark street, a tourist surrounded by a bunch of touts, or someone obviously not from 'around here'.
The former doesn't happen in Delhi or Punjab, at least not as much as in Chennai, Kolkata, London or Paris. The latter happens everywhere. No one picks on anyone bigger, stronger or better connected than himself. There is the territorial instinct, the predatory instinct, and above all, the instinct for survival.
So everyone, please stop lamenting about how ashamed u r of being north Indians, or Delhiites. If you think this is the only place exhibiting racism, you are being naive, or melodramatic. This is a trait exhibited by every living being, even some plants. Civilization was supposed to help us curb such base instincts, but no one is perfect, not even Ms Civilization. Even if it was a racist attack, labeling an entire community for the acts of a few is what is truly racist. So, in a way, you are all becoming what you condemn. Disowning your community for someone's act you don't like? Should have given up being human a few decades back.
So please stop being ashamed of being north Indian, or rich or non gay. Want to be ashamed, be ashamed for the starving guy you saw with out offering him anything to eat, of the shivering homeless on the streets, of the orphan you cud have adopted and given a home. But no one wants to be ashamed of himself, not when he has an entire community to be ashamed of. Never look down at the mirror!
And be ashamed of how easily the media is manipulating your thoughts, of how easily you can be made to dwell only on the seamier side of our lives while all the sunshine withers away behind the news studio.
What happened to young Tania was unfortunate, sad, deplorable. Would it have happened had he had big, almond eyes? Yes, it would have. Would it have happened had he been a strapping six foot NE guy with a couple of friends around? NO!
Racism is discriminating against people from a different race, place or culture. To experience it, go to Chennai in a car with a Punjab number plate. Or go to Bengal and talk in Hindi. Or just walk into a London pub with ur happy, brown, Indian face. That is truly racist. Picking on someone that appears alone and defenseless is just predatory. It could be a lone woman on a dark street, a tourist surrounded by a bunch of touts, or someone obviously not from 'around here'.
The former doesn't happen in Delhi or Punjab, at least not as much as in Chennai, Kolkata, London or Paris. The latter happens everywhere. No one picks on anyone bigger, stronger or better connected than himself. There is the territorial instinct, the predatory instinct, and above all, the instinct for survival.
So everyone, please stop lamenting about how ashamed u r of being north Indians, or Delhiites. If you think this is the only place exhibiting racism, you are being naive, or melodramatic. This is a trait exhibited by every living being, even some plants. Civilization was supposed to help us curb such base instincts, but no one is perfect, not even Ms Civilization. Even if it was a racist attack, labeling an entire community for the acts of a few is what is truly racist. So, in a way, you are all becoming what you condemn. Disowning your community for someone's act you don't like? Should have given up being human a few decades back.
So please stop being ashamed of being north Indian, or rich or non gay. Want to be ashamed, be ashamed for the starving guy you saw with out offering him anything to eat, of the shivering homeless on the streets, of the orphan you cud have adopted and given a home. But no one wants to be ashamed of himself, not when he has an entire community to be ashamed of. Never look down at the mirror!
And be ashamed of how easily the media is manipulating your thoughts, of how easily you can be made to dwell only on the seamier side of our lives while all the sunshine withers away behind the news studio.
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