Beauty

Nearly four generations grew up in a society, 

where white equalled pure, civil, and beauty, 

and brown synonymous to dirty, uneducated, and ugly. 

Nearly four generations grew up in a society, 

where subaltern remained deeply buried in our heads. 

Because the Indians were poor and sweaty and unpretty, 

working hard to make a living, 

not like the Babu’s nor Thekedars living with nicety

under privileged circumstances of colonisation.

Beauty came towards browns in rough ranks –

even within different shades of brown! 

Growing up looking at perceptions of beauty, 

layered by light skinned visuals of femininity, 

laser surgeries to lighten skin, 

we even whitewashed our own Gods and Goddesses. 

So before posting #BlackLivesMatter – 

don’t get me wrong, we need to be loud and one voice, – 

we must also look at our own backyard 

and start pruning our prejudiced garden!