So, Real Life Strikes Again
I usually use my LJ for fandomy things, but sometimes you have to get thing of your chest, you know?
If you live in England, you've probably heard of/seen the documentary in which a reporter went undercover in the police force to find out the extent of racism among the officers. I was one of the people who watched and frankly, what I saw scared me. And it scares me so much more because it affects me. I am Indian, but I was born and bred in England. And it is just damn freaky knowing that there are people out there who would be happy to stick a knife in my gut because of my skin colour. Because of who I am.
And it is so much worse, because I didn't actually believe racism existed. Stupid, I know. But it couldn't possibly affect me, could it? Yeah. Right.
Mum, as usual, was the voice of even more freakiness. She informed that my generation are all the same: we think we belong. We consider this our home. But there are always people who hate the 'pakis'. Maybe they'll force us all out of the country, someday. It has happened before in other countries. It will happen again. Hate is powerful like that.
So, she said, your generation should not forget where you came from.
Because nothing lasts forever.
Except, perhaps, stupidity. But she didn't say that. I'm good enough at filling the gaps in myself.
If you live in England, you've probably heard of/seen the documentary in which a reporter went undercover in the police force to find out the extent of racism among the officers. I was one of the people who watched and frankly, what I saw scared me. And it scares me so much more because it affects me. I am Indian, but I was born and bred in England. And it is just damn freaky knowing that there are people out there who would be happy to stick a knife in my gut because of my skin colour. Because of who I am.
And it is so much worse, because I didn't actually believe racism existed. Stupid, I know. But it couldn't possibly affect me, could it? Yeah. Right.
Mum, as usual, was the voice of even more freakiness. She informed that my generation are all the same: we think we belong. We consider this our home. But there are always people who hate the 'pakis'. Maybe they'll force us all out of the country, someday. It has happened before in other countries. It will happen again. Hate is powerful like that.
So, she said, your generation should not forget where you came from.
Because nothing lasts forever.
Except, perhaps, stupidity. But she didn't say that. I'm good enough at filling the gaps in myself.