Quite often do I notice people around me complaining about the mistreatment given to Indians in the Western Countries. Whether their source is a news story, a 'hot' Bollywood star, or NRI friends, they accept without any doubt that the West is quite racist. But, wait a moment, are we any different???
How do we fail to see and observe the endless racism that surrounds us all the time? How do we fail to notice the kind of comments that the Onlookers pass at the North-Eastern Girls or the way Punjabis mock the 'darker' Madrasis? How do we fail to see how the Marathis openly look down upon the Biharis or how the Jats treat the Bengalis? That's the sort of racism that exists among our fellow-countrymen. Then, we can imagine what Chinese or African students go through here! But to be very frank, I don't see much of difference between "Bloody Indians" or "Bloody South Indians". Racism is racism- whether it's black vs white or light grey vs dark grey!!!
I know that many of my patriotic friends will point out that I have been talking just about the extreme attitudes, and that such attitudes can be found in some fraction of the population anywhere you go. But my heart sinks when I find so many of my well-educated and well-cultured friends showing subtle but sure signs of racism. Some regard darker skins as unclean while some consider themselves superior due to their fairer complexion. I wonder if the fault lies with our education system or if racism is an indispensable part of this old civilization that we are so proud of!
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