Racism: A matter of concern

Racial discrimination is nothing new. In fact, it has been a constant barrier between human beings since time immemorial. But now the time has come to join hands to uproot this divide.

CJ: Shilpa Attavar

Fri, Jun 12, 2009 12:18:27 IST

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Racism issues :

AFTER THE recent racial attacks against Indians in Australia, now Canada also seems to be moving in the same direction. Indians have been reportedly assaulted and attacked in Vancouver after a petty fight during a tennis match. Indians have always been subject to such racial discrimination ever since British rule. Be it the caste divide or the language divide, Indians have faced every kind of discrimination.

It is a matter of great concern for developed countries like Australia and Canada, that such racism is present even in the 21st century. It questions not only the integrity of the country but also casts an ugly shadow on the working of the government. Racism is not something new or something that has come up recently. It has existed since time immemorial. America has experienced the worst outcome of racist attacks ever since blacks were considered to be untouchables and were treated as slaves by the whites. The high-low, black-white debate seems to be still fresh in this changing good-bad world.

It was hoped and assumed that after Obama became the first Black President of a White Nation, racism would die out by itself. Obama promised to bring about a change in the world and the very first change was when he himself was elected the President of a country that was dominated by Whites.

Although Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is determined to stop racial attacks, he has not been very successful in doing so. Strict action should have been taken against those who had indulged in such awful incidents such as those perpetrated against Indians in Australia.

But why talk about Australia and Canada, when Indians experience racial discrimination within India. If North Indians can be attacked in Maharashtra, then it should come as no surprise that Indians will be attacked outside the boundaries of the nation. If Raj Thackeray has the audacity to stand by his statement, “Aamchi Manase, Aamche Marathi” and ask non-Maharashtrians to leave Mumbai, then why should it come as a surprise when Indians are targetted across the globe?

Racism in India has taken place in the form of communal violence. The ill-fated Babri Masjid controversy and the very unfortunate Godhra incident show that hatred is still prevalent in our country. We may have reached the moon, we may have won freedom but it seems that we are still living in the old days of superstition and discrimination. It’s not the fault of the people and they are not to be blamed; it’s just that they are blind-folded.

In the 21st century, each individual needs to open their eyes in order to fight against the injustice happening around them. The first step towards the same, should be striving towards eliminatiion of the caste divide from its roots and seeing to it that it does not hamper the safety and security of any human being.

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