Are We The Most Racist Of Them All?

chupp oye, kalie! gallan karda aye, shakal wekkhiye?

looking into the looking glass darkly eh

-- yes we are -- not among the mostest racists of the world -- just the average run of the mill racist, castetist, colorist, mocking the handicapist, ethnicists, languagist, religionist , regionalists, provencialist, bombist of crowde bazars, mobist, arsonist, stabbist, human barbecueist......of the world...not the world`s worst....just the moderately worst.....

Excellent article. I spent my early childhood in various parts of the country but have lived in Delhi from the ages of 7 to 17. A kaala Madrasi myself, I remember the shock I felt when some other 7 year old children of my age refused to play with me because I was too dark. And the how puzzled I was when, at 14, someone asked me what caste I was.

In college in Bangalore, I learnt very quickly about the slang ``CHOM``.

CHOM is quite a useful acronym - it refers to a concept in International Law called ``Common Heritage Of Mankind``. The intent was to refer to some people from the North as sort of a Dark Man`s Burden - they`re there, they`re illiterate, materialistic, misogynistic, uncultured and breeding like flies up north and we just have to cope with the drag on resources and peace they are.

CHOMs were people mainly from the North but it referred in the main to a state of mind. You could find South Indian or Marathi or Telugu choms, but you`d have to look.

My job places me in Delhi - the heart of CHOMLand as it`s called - and having lived in Bangalore and Calcutta and having visited Bombay and Madras frequently, I can say that the capital of Chom Land is the armpit of India.

While it`s got great food, excellent facilities, booming job opportunities, a vibrant cultural life and complete anonymity it`s also a highly communal, misogynistic, aggressive, casteist and racist hellhole.

What strikes me particularly about our dear capital, nestled lovingly in the lap of gentle Haryana, is that it`s marinated in the concept of Aukaat - Aukaat rules much of how Delhiites interact with each other - it`s an infernal calculus, derived, among other things, from the fairness of your skin, the accent with which you speak English, how much visible wealth you display, your job, the extent of your contacts and your caste. Aukaat describes how brutal / servile you can / should be to others and how servile / brutal they should / can be to you.

The South`s no land of milk and honey, either. Bangalore`s stifling and insular. Calcutta, close to dead, Madras ossified. And being one myself, I can state that Keralites or Malayalis are hypocritical, misogynistic and regard themselves as supercilious. Despite the MScs and PhDs that many of my female relatives hold, they`re still not treated as equals by their spouses.

And the acronym CHOM - racist, discriminatory, violent - of course. Some people claim it`s a defense mechanism or a ``reaction``. I`m not so sure.

Racism, colourism, sexism, communalism - all alive and well.

racism is found everywhere, in some places more than others, I don`t think we rank as the most racist though. Probably because we are a colonized race, and used for slave labor historically. I think the ``white man`` takes the cake for being the most racist. Historical events like the Holocaust and the institutionalization of slavery in the US, outweigh the burden of cast separation in South Asia.

Rakesh and AS, is `kala Madrasi` still a commonly used label? I thought those kinds of experiences had become somewhat less frequent, and every kid in India now wanted to be like that kala Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam.

If we are still stuck where we were fifteen years ago then we are in deep trouble.... :(

---

Some color consciousness seems to be built into our genes. Have you guys talked to some Africans?

I am really glad you figured out that Indians can discriminate. What an earth-shattering discovery! The next time an NRI starts ``discovering`` India from a distance for the millionth time - it will be - well, it will be for the millionth time!

NOW we are all set!

Down with the discrimination! On with the clean-up brigade!

Let`s get those culprits all straightened out.

Ooops, there is just ONE problem - how do we do it?

(I personally would start out with many chowkies here - but leave out the editorial staff - they NEVER discriminate - you see, they don`t have that ability. (They can`t even discriminate between a blog and a legitimate article!))

Dear writer
I beg your pardon, when you talk about (desis), collectively for Indian and Pakistanis. I do not agree with this word(desis). This word desi is only for Indians, not for Pakistanis. We do not call ourselves desis. Although there is nothing wrong in using this word, but, the origin of this word being used in your article is from India. You and I both know, India and Pakistan are two separate countries with their separate cultures and identities.

I am not being racist here, yes, I do need to have my own identity being Proud Pakistani with my own identity. I am absolutely NOT Indian desi. Indian desi is a beautiful term to be used by Indian people for their own identity. I respect their identity. But, I respect my own separate identity as well.

If, I am not Indian, then why should I be called(desi)?

Yes, I agree with you, there is too, much discrimination in India based upon cast system. Untouchables and high class hindus is a clear cut racist discrimination. thank you for good article.

Zeena -- desis means natives....

Re: # 7
re: Zeena

If you choose not to describe yourself as not being a desi, that`s your prerogative. *shrug* *roll eyes*. I believe the author of the article was referring to various racist practices that he believes are endemic to the societies of both India and Pakistan. And, as far as he`s concerned, he didn`t even address caste. nasah and I were the ones to bring up the issue of caste.

You say:

``Yes, I agree with you, there is too, much discrimination in India based upon cast system. Untouchables and high class hindus is a clear cut racist discrimination.``

You`re agreeing with a point that no one is making. The point of the article is not about caste discrimination in India - it`s about race bias in India AND Pakistan.

What, for example, are your views on race / colour discrimination in India / Pakistan ?

Re: # 6
re: bjkumar

Off the top of my head,

1. Make your displeasure known when your peers/co-workers/parents say something racist.
2. Remain alert for prejudices inside oneself.
3. Compel opinion makers to take public positions on race. Sustain the debate that ensues.

Wishful thinking:

1. Movies to be made that take strong positions on the issue, clearly breaking race taboos.
2. Break prevailing stereotypes in advertising. Can we finally get over Padosan?

#9 Aha_Snark
This article is all about being racist among Indian society itself and about competing it`s racism with out of the country.

There is no difference between caste discrimination and race discrimination. What is your point then??

When Hindus discriminate untouchables as lower caste, it is same as discriminating on thwe basis of a race.
Well, if, I take your point as to be valid then Hindus should include untouchables as their own race, why this discrimination? Obviously , their caste is based on their race.

I made my point based on this article, sorry , you made totally wrong assumptions on my post based on your own opinion.

All I am saying is, Indian and Pakistani societies are different based on their cultural systems, we shouldn`t mix them or diffuse them as one. That is the sole reason, we do not wish to be called desis. We wish to save our own identity based on our separate nation and country, called Pakistan.

#8 nasah
I don`t have any problem with this word,``desis``. The point I am making is, this word is absolutely used for Indians. I am not Indian, so, why should I use this word for my identity.
Thanks

There is another affliction that is worse and peculiar to Desis.......cannibalism.........

their behavior towards their own is despicable at best....

for ex- an Indian official at the airport will treat a fellow Indian as a piece of garbage....while gingerly perform a fellatio on a gora......

#10 Anirudha

Those are fabulous points. Just brilliant! (You are not a chowk editor, by any chance? (I did not think so.))

I would add a few more points to yours (the term ``you`` is generic and not just for you):

(4) Be honest and don`t apportion your compassion based on prejudices and don`t beat up on the underdog (i.e., you don`t HAVE to be a Hindu to sympathize with the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, for example. (OR a Muslim to feel for Bangladeshi migrants - sympathizing for one side and vilifying the other shows a hollowness of your own core))

(5) Be honest and accept it when you screw up on issues - there is no real RESPECT from people who claim to do so because of your rigidness. Those who have the courage to tell you when you screw up are your true well-wishers.

I got to think some more.

By the way, Anirudha, why didn`t YOU write this article - probably it would be more complete.

#9 Zeena
Are all Pakistanis one race?

#13 bjkumar
No, all Pakistanis are not one race. But, all Pakistanis are chained together through this beautiful chain of nationality called Pakistani, which is their only idnetity. Once, they are Pakistanis, then all other races are left far, far, far behind. Thanks

#12 kaura
[There is another affliction that is worse and peculiar to Desis.......cannibalism.........]

Dear Kaura,

Are you a desi?
If so, are you cannibalistic?
(If so, do your neighbors know?)

Zeena,

God forbid you be called a desi :)

Some Pakistanis do identify with the word. Mr. Mani could have had those people in mind. Please give him the benefit of doubt. Overlook this grievous error on his part.