There’s been so much noise off late about racism – especially in Australia and England. But before we start acting oh-so-victimized, we might want to pause and introspect. We are perhaps one of the most ‘racist’ countries in the world!
The fact that Fair & Lovely is the largest selling cosmetic product in India – should in itself suffice. Why, now we even have fairness creams for men. (And ‘measurable’ fairness – if you please). What’s more, fairness and self confidence go hand in hand. If you are dark skinned you are scorned and doomed to a life of misery!
We are a skin obsessed nation. Period. Don’t our matrimonial ads still ask for fair, homely brides or fair, well-employed men? Why do we ask – if we are not obsessed with the idea of fair skin. Isn’t that being racist?
For over a year I lived in a lovely colony in Gurgaon. This was the first time I’ve experience life in such a large colony and I loved it! I made so many friends and had so much fun. But I also found out how skin obsessed we Indians are. One of sweetest people I met there was yet another lady from Chennai. Our kids became such think pals – they were inseparable. Until I went there this lady and her child had no friends. Because they are dark skinned. In the colony garden, the other kids avoided the little girl – because they thought she was the daughter of some maid! My friend is highly qualified and used to be a teacher in a school in a reputed school in Chennai. When she applied for a job at a prestigious school in Gurgaon – she went right up till the last round of interviews. But then she was rejected – not on the grounds of her qualification but because they felt she did not have the right ‘personality’. So how does her skin colour affect her performance in any way? She is a dedicated teacher who has won awards at the Chennai school where she taught.
One day I met a lady in the park and we got talking. After almost an hour, she asked me where I was from. When I told her I was from Chennai – she was amazed. “Mujhe laga aap itne fair ho toh aap North Indian hi honge. Sab Madrasi log kaale hote hain na!” She blurted. I was shocked!! I was like so what? If we are all dark skinned does that make us lesser humans? Had I been dark skinned – would she made her friendly overtures to me? I doubt it. She would have probably thought I was a maid!!
A couple we know did not have kids 12 years into marriage. They decided to adopt a child. After completing all the required formalities they went on an appointed day to the orphanage…and they came back almost in tears. They said – “All the children there are dark skinned! How can we adopt them?”
In Chennai, many people have wistfully told me – you’re lucky you are so fair. I’m like – so you think I’m what I am because of my skin colour? No way! Look beneath the skin – there is a brain and a heart – and these are the only things that matter. (Having said that I wish I had lovely, dusky complexion like Nandita Das – who, in my opinion, is a really beautiful Indian woman).
So before we scream indignantly about the pale, sun starved, melanin deficient western world of being racist… let’s pause. And think. If we are guilty of the same crime – can we accuse them?
