Racism and social media have a deep correlation. Social media appears to be an exclusive platform for both parties — one who is racist and the other who condemns this discrimination. The racism debate on social media has again engulfed people after Punjab-based YouTuber Paras Official openly slammed an Arunachal Pradesh Minister with derogatory and racist remarks, which eventually landed him legal consequences.
The digital world and the birth of the digital battlefield bring all silent keyboard warriors and pseudo-intellectuals into direct confrontation.
Are we really Indian? This statement is alarming and requires debate and discussion on public forums. Perhaps, I see racism exist beyond this underlining statement. “Depending on where we are and who is in power, ownership changes and we someone gets to decide who remains on which side. I wonder if we ever get any news where an Indian worker in South Africa possibly made any racist comment against African people.
Does this picture sound impossible?
Pertaining to the fact, Indian students are still seen struggling abroad to establish their identity. Once a week, we find videos over social media of verbal and brutal physical assaults. Now, this has become a proven fact that substantial development can’t stop racism.
Racist news and stories are common even in the smartest and most developed countries. We can ally to the bizarre experience that our Indian society encounters on a daily basis. Despite this, Asian people are one of the major forces and powerhouses for countries such as the UK, Germany, Canada and the US, yet, they find their identity in limbo.
Born and raised in Assam, I’ve experienced racism in close proximity. We share geographical boundaries and thus inter-state border disputes. The situation is sensitive, yet, we intend to preserve harmony. Even major ethnic groups struggle to protect their culture and faith from foreign influence. It is pretty disturbing to learn when intellectuals relate racism with economics and one’s financial capabilities to mitigate and fix it.
Maybe this is not the right troubleshooting for racism. You can’t stop racism by resisting. Rather, start influencing and educating about your culture, ethnicity, geographical values and common history where our ancestors stood together against British atrocities. The bigger picture not just pertains to adaptability but to a change in the mindset of an Indian as an entire discourse. We can’t win this fight while being ignorant, but merely the idea of acceptance poses a positive outlook.
The quote “All Indians are my brothers and sisters, and United we stand, divided we fall” justifies it.
It is an undeniable fact that most Indian states were once princely kingdoms. The diversification in culture, caste, creed and facial expressions puts forward different interests and any miscalculation threatened the fabric of Indian diversity. Equal representation and equal participation in every form demands for including the history of Northeast Indian, respecting sovereign identity. As an Indian, true acceptance can certainly pave the path for better dawn.
I remain sceptical when I see a major evil intention puts in an attempt to seize the very foundation of India.
विविधता में एकता or Unity In Diversity.
I was always asked to look at the bright side of life. The recent incident of Paras Official was a blessing in disguise — when the whole of India stood in support of the Northeastern community. That explains the very possibility of how Indians are perceiving things in a better way. Isn’t it the foundation of a true Indian on the basis of which our ancestors fought for freedom?
Youth is the power of any nation and if we truly want to justify our Indian brotherhood, we need to accept each other’s culture and their very existence. India is our only home where we can live with respect, dignity and harmony. As a young society, we need to uphold the responsibilities of our unique insignia — Unity in Diversity.