Shilpa and the Racial Saga

Shilpa and the Racial Saga…......

The results are out, the insult has been avenged; the underdog has claimed the throne from the hands of the mighty white skinned tormentors. South Asians in UK and across the world can rejoice as Shilpa braved the racial missiles to emerge victorious - Gimme a break! .Hours on television and countless columns in newspapers dedicated to this great epic (read media circus).

To set the record straight; there is racism in UK………….. as much as there is in India or for that matter any part of the world that deals with diverse cultures. Shilpa Shetty gave the South Asians in UK a platform to vent their frustration against the cold and racial behavior of the ‘whites’. The Indians in UK and back home were backing Shilpa in unison since she was subjected to ‘racial torture’ with words like ‘indian’ and ‘paki’. But what is surprising is that these were the same Indians who will laugh and forward (email)‘sardar jokes’, rebuke non-english speaking people as ‘gattis’ , type cast north east Indians as ‘nepalis’. From ‘doklas’ to “dosas and ‘papads’ to ‘pavs’ every state , community and caste in India is subjected to racial comments ,and mostly in bad taste. So why are we all pouncing on Jade and Co (Shilpa’s tormentors on the show) for the behavior we are accustomed to back home? Never heard any white skinned person on the receiving end of a racial slur. Is it because we all (including the whites) subconsciously acknowledge the fact that they are superior?

Racism is a feeling of superiority or animosity, and is an opinion. Humans have harboured a tribal mentality since ages, and racism is an offshoot. We need to sacrifice our tribal pride on the altar of tolerance to accept and celebrate the diversity of cultures. Curing racist feelings is an individual affair as it is a matter of opinion. In the context of the society, a feeling or opinion can’t be checked by laws, regulations or resolutions. We need to check the actions that arise out of this feeling. Any actions that can infringe the basic rights of people need to be focused and checked. So let’s make more noise when the ULFA (a militant outfit) go on a rampage in Assam and kill innocent immigrant workers from Bihar, when Muslims are denied flats in housing colonies, when dalits are raped and killed in broad daylight, when pundits are targeted in Kashmir and north Indians are beaten and restrained from writing public exams in Maharashtra or even when matrimonial columns and jobs in hospitality use the colour of the skin to judge applicants. – The Irony -- Not all of us will oppose everything mentioned in the above 4 lines

In the meanwhile, lets raise a toast to the real winners of the day – the channel for high TRPs, the politicians in UK for an opportunity to consolidate their Asian vote bank, Shilpa Shetty for ‘unknowingly’ resurrecting her career, Jade Goody for extending her shelf life, Indian actors or starlets for the countless opportunities in televisions shows abroad and the brands in UK trying to the woo Asian consumers for finding an undisputable brand ambassador in Shilpa. ]

Lets hope that the media dedicates more space to other important issues. Till that happens, let’s forecast the next media circus – the Abhi-Ash wedding. Prepare yourselves be subjected to columns ranging from what Abhisheik’s security guard’s dog is going to eat on the big day, to what Aishwarya’s cook’s brother-in-law’s daughter is goin to gift her ‘didi’, and on camera interviews of people in some lane in Allahbad (native of the bachchans) on how they will be celebrating the union of Abhisheik Bhaiya and Aishwarya Bhabhi- phew! .
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