Racism? I can understand this!

Dear friend,
I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you chose my blog to tell us about how people from the north-eastern states are viewed in our country. Thank you so much, Haumuanlun Samte.
I have heard about what you describe, but I have not seen it happen in Chennai where I live. Many people from the north-east live and work here and we girls always make it a point to go to hairdressing saloons run by/that employ them. We think of them as the best in the business.
But I can understand your feelings. When the Shilpa Shetty story broke out, the first thing I said was: “The way Tamils and Bengalis speak has always been part of Bollywood “comedy”! Did you watch Padosan?” As a young bride when I went live in north India in the 60s, I was the butt of constant jokes in the defence colonies I lived. You know why? Because I was poor and couldn’t afford fashionable clothes!
It’s a human condition, my friend. As I said in a previous blog, we all need to grow up. And sadly, somewhere, our education lets us down terribly.
I now work with people with disabilities. Watch movies with disabled characters and see how they are treated. A person with a stammer provides comic relief, as do people with mental disabilities. A man without his right hand has to be a villian. Carefully listen to the dialogues aimed at them. Watch the portrayal of a mental health facility.
I once asked a group of actors why they would allow all this on screen. Their response: “Why do you take this so seriously? It’s all just fun.”
If you are different, you have no business to be around. Yes, my friend. I do understand how you feel.
Now, please read his comment. It’s an eye-opener.
Haumuanlun Samte | samtelun@yahoo.co.in | vaphualization.blogspot.com |
you are from the north-eastern states of the country.
you walk down a congested delhi street. a passerby stares at you for one long moment. then he grins. and you know quite well that it’s not in mirth. he continues to stare at you in contempt.
you hail a cab. it’s real tough bargaining over the price. the driver stares at you, deceptiveness written clear in his face.
then to the bazaar, shopping complex, movies, everywhere – that same look on their faces.
you know the reason why they keep staring at you. you can perceive them well. and you know quite well that you ain’t an alien. you are an indian. and a human being too.
you are riding on a blueline bus. the conductor yells out loud, “hey, chinky, bahadur…”
do you shout back at him: “BIHARIS!” or do you just let it pass, again, as you had been doing over the years?
but you know, you are pained, deep down your heart. your blood begins to boil.
damn, how the hell are you gonna have the strength to overcome these??
in fact, indians are more aggressive than britishers. people from the north-eastern states are being seen as foreigners, or aliens, or nepalis. mainstream indians just don’t accept them as their brothers and sisters, living in one country. multi-culturism, multi-ethnicity and unity-in-diversity don’t seem to go down well with them.
it’s now time to put a complete “full stop” here, first at home. only then, let’s talk about europe.
Amen.

My other Avtaar 3 This is business for monkeys

We know dogs are a big help for people with disabilities. Seeing-eye dogs help blind people travel all over the world. Now those cute, intelligent capuchin monkeys have joined the Help Brigade. Once they are trained they can do a number of things a person who is unable to use his arms and legs cannot do. Helping Hands, a not-for-profit organisation trains the monkeys.
I don’t know if the link really works, but I did get to see the story on msnbc.com
Click this linkhttp://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=397290fa-780d-43e1-b88c-f6e66a07ec1d&f=00&fg=email