Colour is spelled differently in different parts of the world: add a U, remove a U. Does colour change its spelling depending on what the colour of the skin is? Does the skin colour make so much of a difference in viewing people?
I have discovered — apparently so. Colour of the skin matters to most people, some openly show it, their rudeness is appalling, and some show it with their subtle insulting remarks.
Colour of the skin is due to the amount of melanin present in the cells of the upper layers of the skin. I don’t think even melanin knows or realises, it is so important. Sometimes, both sides of the human coin, presence or lack of melanin, makes people go in extreme directions, with extreme views.
I, recently, have had the great pleasure of being on the business end of such rude remarks, apparently because I am an Indian, and English is not my language to speak. I learnt two things: misconceptions of India still persist, and English is an exclusive possession of some.
In a short span of time, I have met people who fight against racism and discrimination. Some go really overboard and insulting with their fights, thereby defeating their purpose of putting forth their point with dignity. There are multiple blogs on it. Twitter has a lot of tweets on it. I do not know much about this, rather I did not know much about this, till people on Facebook made me aware of how different I am.
I always thought different was good. So many people do weird stuff just to stand out, just to be different, to appear different. Here I was given brickbats because I am different. The world works with weird logic.
Whatever be the logic, whatever be the skin, whatever be the language, and however different we all may be, but the fact of the matter is colour matters.. What a volte-face! I have joined the opposite side…🙃😱
But hang on, listen to what I have to say. Let me finish my thoughts. It is not the colour of the skin which matters but the colour of the heart. Our prejudices colour our heart, colour our soul. Whatever we imbibe, the heart takes on the hue of it.
Every heart in the written world, heart as an emoji or heart in images, anywhere you see, heart is pink, it ideally stands for pure love. (I have given anaesthesia for cardiac surgery, so I do know that the real heart is light pink to salmon pink). Now add the prejudices, the discrimination, the subtle or evident insults from both sides, and the pure pink hue of the heart is gone. It turns grey, greyer, black.
And so I say colour matters: colour of the heart, colour of our soul. It matters. It damn well matters. If the heart is not pure (textbook pink💗), the light of the soul fades.
Every good deed makes the heart pinker and the soul brighter. It is the colour of the heart which decides where we stand as human beings….
—This post is dedicated to Anindya, not because he was my inspiration, but because he trusted me enough to invite me to write for his blog, on any topic as I so wished.
115 Responses
Very well written. 🙂🌷
My darling blossoms, thank you so much… I had to write it. I was disturbed by some incidents
Lucky you’re only now just realizing this kind of stuff. I’ve lived with it my whole life. You become immune to it of a sorts cause it’s a waste of energy sometimes to fight back.
Probably… Sometimes we all have to let it out… Otherwise it gets too much. This has been on my mind for quite some time, the first episode happened a few months ago, the second a week back. I was disturbed Nel, so I had to write… May not change people but I had to write…
Of course. I’m not saying not write. Definitely write. I, myself am just immune to it now cause I’ve dealt with it my whole life and people are stupid and really set in their ways. So I waste my energy when I feel change is a true possibility. I don’t condemn anyone else for it at all girlie.
I understand babes, I know how you are by now, via your comments.
It’s just that sometimes, after I write, say my piece, I am at peace and I can let go of the incident. I write for me and if it hits some people in the right or wrong way— that’s their lookout and good for them.
I like your style. 🙂 Hope you have a good rest of the week Shalini 🙂
Aww… Nel that’s so great, praise from you. You have made my day. You are one of the most clear headed babes I have met on WP. Thank you so much.
Welcome 😀
Have a great week Nel. Awaiting your post on another wonder of this earth
I postponed it this week cause I’m going out of town for the rest of this week but definitely next week! 😀
Cool… Wp would be waiting with bated breath. Enjoy your trip, be safe travel safe adieu
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
Great, Shalini! Thank you very much for these lines. Michael
Aah Michael, thank you for reblogging. Thank you for reading and your comments here. Thank you for understanding.
😉 Always with a great pleasure. I completely share your thoughts.
Thank you
And thank you for accepting
unfortunately, Shalini, the importance of skin color is something that is impressed into us at an young age. If someone makes it a big deal, then most likely, it’ll be a big deal when we grow older. yes, some people are born with the capacity to be more judgemental than others, but it’s often the circumstances surrounding an upbringing that leads to the prejudice.
Maybe so Jina, but if we can learn things both good and bad in life, then why can’t we learn to be more accepting, being kinder, preserving our humanity.
There are lot of things impressed on us but as we grow up, see the world, we should start using our brains our knowledge… Upbringing cannot be the excuse anymore in this time and space
I agree with you, Shalini, but there are alot of impressionable people out there. if they are taught that skin color matters, then it will matter. very few people will discard it once they are grown. It shouldn’t be an excuse, Shalini, that’s true, but people often look for excuses instead of admitting they were wrong.
Then we can’t be good humans ever, if we don’t use our brains and see the world. Skin is just a covering for the organs. We all have the same organs, most of us, barring a few
I’d like to say that it’s true, but i don’t know. this is more complex a topic than black and white, many explanations. As i believe i’ve told you once, I grew up in Brazil, where skin color and race matters to some, but interracial relationships happen all the time. Once i left and travelled to other countries i realized that although racism – skin color, religion, background – was common in many places, the reason for it wasn’t always the same. Does that mean they are all bad, evil people? I don’t have the answer to that either. It’s wrong, definitely, but does it make that person, as a whole, a bad person?knew others who just didn’t care.
Jina, I come from India where skin colour is extremely important. It is impressed upon us in both subtle and direct ways. Caste system still exists here. Horoscopes are still matched before weddings. Omens are still believed, superstitions still exist. Every human in this world comes from a certain background, has a culture with its own beliefs.
How we act is most important. How I treat my fellow human beings is most important. Every human in this world is equal there are no scriptures, no holy books, no writings of the Gods which says otherwise. We are no one to judge any other person based on skin colour. The moment we treat the other person in a derogatory manner based on skin colour, we ARE A BAD PERSON. no two ways about it.
Every human being has to be judged only on his action, his karma, not on his appearance.
Amount of melanin makes no human being superior or inferior. There can be no reason for racism. And anyone who discriminates and gives excuse of background or culture, it makes them a bad person and actually a stupid person.
It’s just by chance, that we are born with our skin colour, how can that be important. Not in this day or time.
What is in the background does not make us bad or evil. How we act makes us bad or evil, what we teach our children makes us good or bad, how we treat our fellow human beings makes us good or bad.
This is not a complex topic. It is simple and straightforward. Treat everyone as equals. Beliefs and culture don’t matter, only our action matters.
I understand what you’re saying.
I know and respect all the above, so do you, so do millions of other people.
but not all. Unfortunately, an ideal world is not what we have. I’m a muslim, and i know other judge me not by the color of my skin, but at my choice of attire, my religious preferences. It’s true that every religion casts us humans in one equal category,.
the problem is within ourselves. we see and hear about racism and we let it be. It’s a choice, most definitely, not something we are born with.
But still, Shalini, (and i’m defending no one’s actions here) the world isn’t only black and white.
That are plenty of shades in between, and some actions are pure evil while others are just bad. some are harmful, others harm no one but oneself.
Judging others by their skin color, class, religious preferences is wrong, i agree with you all the way. but those who judge don’t consider themselves wrong. In their eyes we are wrong for wanting to be equal.
I used to know a person who thought black people were inferiors beings – but the majority of his clients were african American. He never paused to consider the fact he was a hypocrite and that his livelihood came from the peopl he so scorned.
I don’t know how the situation is in India, and i don’t mean to sound contradictory , and i apologize if that’s how i come off.
Again, i agree with what you are saying, Shalini, i just can’t judge a person in their entirety for one bad trait.
no human is perfect, i certainly have made plenty of bad choices, that’s what makes me a human.
Hi Jina, the world has shades of grey – I agree. I can’t change the world and neither can you. But what I can change and improve is my actions. My understanding of other people, my actions, how I treat everyone. In the entire post, I have talked about what I have realised. It’s not about an ideal world. Ideal world will never happen. Since you understand the pain when people judge you, you can change how you act further, you can change what you teach your kids, you can change how you choose your friends, you can change how you interact with the world.
Racism cannot be graded, it is just racism, and it has repercussions.
Those who judge don’t consider themselves wrong-— that’s their lookout. One bad trait of considering people inferior is wrong in all ways. You can’t call this human. Because how that person treats the other is inhumane.
Racism is learnt, no child at birth understands colour of skin. So it’s not a human fallacy, it is not a human trait, it is not a natural flaw. it is learnt and it progresses. Saying “I am treating others inferior to me, because I am a human being and I have flaws” —is not acceptable anymore.
It’s upto you how you treat people in your world. When strangers on Facebook thought me to be inferior, I didn’t like it. I didn’t consider those people as flawed. I considered them RACISTS AND DAMN STUPID. I cannot forgive them saying they are being human, they have been taught to consider themselves superior. That’s is no longer acceptable. In this time and space, when life is going beyond earth, such thoughts are not acceptable, should not be acceptable to you or to me.
If we continue the same line of thinking what are we giving to our children, what are we teaching the future generation.
RACISM IS NOT A CHARACTER FLAW, IT IS WAY OF THINKING, AND THERE IS ONLY DESTRUCTION IN IT.
I understand, I really do. Like i said, I’m not defending their actions. I too, believe racism is bad, something we humans impress into our children at a very young age. It progresses and evolves, and although as adults we understand the difference between right and wrong, a child who’s taught he’s superior because of skin, class or religion believes himself to be superior – he won’t admit as an adult that he had been raised wrong – specially to those he’d been taught he was better.
Again, i agree that it’s wrong, i seriously do. i’m not defending the adult who grew up believing there are inferiors to his superiority.
But i’ve seen it happen before, as a child growing up, as a teen in school, even as an adult.
I never spoke up then, and sometimes i believe it’s the lack of contradiction when we watch something wrong happening and refuse to interfere – because we tell ourselves – and teach our children that it’s none of our business what people do.
But that’s another topic. when you spoke in your post about skin color, i mentioned that racism isn’t something we are born with, but something taught to children at a very young age.
I agree it is taught at a very young age, even in India. But it’s up to us, how we treat people in spite of our teachings. That’s important
Agreed. thank you , Shalini, , for the discussion, if only more people would address it.
More people are discussing and are addressing… Each one of us can do that, by behaving in a humane manner towards one another, with kindness
To a better world, then, Shalini.
True that, Jina
Beautifully written post Shalini…as you have told me about your problems I know this post means a lot to you and rightly so…you couldn’t have expressed any better than you already did…….and thank you…I am honored and humbled…..you can write on my blog on any day on any topic you like….😊👍
Awww… Thank you… Those are great words of appreciation…
You are welcome.
Good writing!!!
Thank you so much
You always bring up amazing topics and write and carry it all excellently….that is why i asked to write more and publish more from your drafts…amazing….i loved it….!!
Hi. Thank you so much. I went through some rude remarks some discrimination on Facebook, hence the post. I write when I am extremely emotional. You know that
I do know that…thanks for letting me know that…it feels good to connect with someone and share….and you know what….i wonder what would we do…if not write when emotions come…i write and get myself busy as soon as it happens…and it happens more than often.
I generally don’t share. I am used to dealing with things on my own. Life happens, things happen. I have lived enough years to understand that. But sometimes I write… Thanks to your words of encouragement
I hope u will share things now…as that phase has ended…u have dealt enough alone…maybe sharing will be better now!!
How sweet.. Thank you for such beautiful words…
😁😁😊😊
😊
Never thought about sharing my inner thoughts with anyone, let alone online… Just a few attempts here
And how does it feel now….i hope you feel better…no actually i know u do…it is reflected in your work.
This post was a catharsis. I wrote about what I went through, I let it go then. If someone understands it’s fine. If not, it’s their lookout. I am clear in my thoughts and my views of life
Yeah…definitely!!
Sharing our views, sharing a little of our life…maybe we are making this world a little better…maybe not….but it feels good to me to share…that is all that matters…right?
I am still not very comfortable with the idea of sharing inner views, but getting there, I suppose
You will get there…everyone does…everyone should….i guess…i am still learning…so trying doesn’t hurt.
True that… But I still like being a private person. I don’t think even my parents know I write
And i started coz of my family…i used to write and destroy….one day my sis saw and read and then the pestering started to write more….she even send my poems to AIR(all india radio)…did not wanted all this…but now i am hoooked for good!!
It was amazing push by my siblings…i thank them everday.
That’s wonderful
Thank you for such amazing praise. I have no idea how this post was written. I am glad it has come out well. I like when my posts come out with words seeped in dignity
Yeah…it is amazing…u deserve all the praise.
Some days, sometimes, maybe I have to write the words…
Silence may be rewarding, but it cannot overcome loneliness….it is better to speak little…mess up again…and try again!!
It is not about loneliness. It’s about adat/habit. I got used to dealing with life alone. And frankly speaking, I didn’t think I could write. I still don’t know how I do it. When I consciously sit down to write, I can’t think of a single topic. But when something hurts my dignity, or my emotions, then words just write themselves… I am discovering new things about myself
I understand…i can never write…when i think lets write…it usually happens at odd places…like right now…office😂😂
That’s cool and cute. In office, doing everything except office work hehe😂😂
Yeah…the poem i shared today…it was written while i was staring blankly at my computer screen…and while i had lump of mails to send…better get back to them too!!😬😬
Hahaha get back to work… Thank you for all your words. They are precious
You are most welcome…and keep sharing!!
I will try..
Ok…catch u soon!!
Das vidaniyan!!
Au revoir
Nice one
Aah thank you so much
Welcome mam, How r u mam
I am good. How about you.
I am also fine mam
That’s good
Thanks mam you r in Facebook
I have an account but I hardly ever see
Why mam Facebook is also very popular social media in which you connects people easily
Hi.. I don’t like connecting to people other than by words. Facebook is too intrusive. My experience on Facebook is not very good. Anybody and everybody can send stupid messages… I don’t post on Facebook.
Yes u rite mam but it is not solution of this problem. You limited the friends and sending friendship those you know just like me.
Still, I don’t chat I don’t interact with anyone on Facebook so that account is of no use to me
Ok mam
Thank you for understanding
Yes mam u rite
😊
U will always contact with me thrugh wrd press
That’s correct.
Sounds really great !!
Thanks Megala
This is just so so true, such a different perspective. I never in my dreams could think that colour can matter so much. Today, I am proud to say that yes colour matters , the colour of our hearts! So beautiful ❤
Awww.. Darling Ms. Ananya, thank you so much. You have understood exactly what I am trying to say. You have great depth and great perception in your soul, which most don’t have. Good going girl
Yea definitely….
Great
☺
Haha I got the post finally gone through it.
Excellent post.
My view is hate is natural emotions to human being . It hardly matters what people discriminate about.
In within india . We used to have pathetic cast system. Now people don’t accept other religious paths.
I believe its there since inception of man kind , will remain in some form or the other.
Hope this time I have got right sense of your post.
Unlike earlier one.
Yes this is not a book review.
It’s about individual decision and individual view, I cannot comment on what will be there. Do you believe in God? Then the scriptures say we are an embodiment of the same God. If God is about love Then hate cannot be a natural emotion. Hate towards colour is learnt
Yeah I do agree with your point of view. I am at par with your opinion.
Yes I do believe in God.
We have been conditioned in such a manner , it’s difficult to escape.
If we believe in conditioning, then what will we teach our kids, the future generations
We need to teach about good things and off course loving human being without discrimination.
If we are conditioned to hate and discrimination ourselves, then how will we teach them love and equality? We would be fakes, hypocrites. So we have to start practicing equality before we teach equality
Yes …Yes…You have beautiful mind.
Thank you 😇
Pleasure talking to you.
Thank you for talking
OMG…If you will encourage me that much ….I will Speak to you daily…..
Hahaha
Haha….Means you don’t mind…Doing it….Lol….
😇😇
Thank you . I will try to communicate…as and when possible….I love talking to you…
Thank you
You poured your thoughts very well👌
Thank you so much. Your words are encouraging
👍
A true lesson you gave ❤ ma’am
Thank you so much for reading and understanding. Much appreciated.. 😇