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When will the racist in me die?

400 A.D. untouchability was born. The same was practised in India for many years even after India’s victory over British Raj in 1947. Even today, though not visible, the feeling of superiority of caste and birth is still present.

1858 – 1947, discrimination on basis of skin color was seen across. While in India, British Easy India Company treated Indians and dogs at same level, in many other parts of the world, whites were ruling on blacks.



Interestingly, in early 1900s, African-Americans held ‘paper bag parties’, wherein they used to pinup a brown paper bag on the front door; and anyone whose skin was darker than the bag was denied entry to the party. This practice is said to have been exercised till 1950s. It is also said that a paper bag ‘test’ was even used to determine admission to historically black universities and colleges.

Year 2015, the world is no different.    

Recently, India was in news for its racist nature. The news took a shape of viral post on social media, but to me what seemed to be interesting about this piece of news was the public opinion on racism.

It is indeed interesting to know that for most of us Racism is just about discrimination of skin color. It is dark skins being ill-treated by fair ones; and that it is seen in countries like US, UK, Europe and recently even in India.

But give a thought. Is racism really only about skin color?

It was just two days back when I was in this casual conversation with some friends about the beauty of Indian actresses, came across a comment wherein one of my friend named an actress as beautiful, but immediately corrected himself saying “…but she is fat”. Now isn’t that racism?

When we call a slim girl beautiful, why don’t we feel the need to correct ourselves by saying “…but she is too thin”? If calling white skin beautiful and black ugly is Racism, calling slim beautiful and fat ugly is Racism too.

Liking or disliking an individual on grounds of his/her complexion, weight, height, in short, looks is racism. Racism is an omnipresent disease. A fair skin catches more eyes in country of black...the only difference is these eyes watch white skin for beauty ...whereas a black skin in country of fair is considered to be ugly...derogatory.... etc.

How many of us like ourselves the way we are? Most of us will find a racist within us. If you cannot stand in front of a mirror and admire yourself for what you are, then you are a racist. If you can accept the physical flaws in you, but can’t stand the same in others (specially your life partner), then you are racist. The rise in sale numbers of skin lightening creams like Fair & Lovely, Fair & Handsome, etc. themselves give out the message loud that we are racist.

But the question is not whether we are racist or not; the question is do we want to come out of this racism? The question is will the racist in me ever die?
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