The ‘as though’ folks
In India, we have the oppressor caste folks
Whose language is a bit hard to understand
Let us configure this language
In a way that makes sense.
This is the language of the ‘As though’
Oppressor caste folks act as though they care
As though they understand vulnerabilities very well.
As though they themselves are that….. vulnerable.
And therefore know enough
To talk and write and pontificate.
And write books and reams of jargonic literature.
As though vulnerability is their grandma’s legacy.
Their curd rice eating
And untouchability practicing grandma.
And grandpa
And great grandma
Etc.
As though they change when they change their religion
Or their geography
Or their language
Or their gender
Or their job
As though their oppressor caste mantle is a dusty coat
That they can place on a hook
Till the next family function
As though their ceremonies are just a ‘family thing’
which they are not really a part of.
As though their language can be changed at will
Like their food
From impure to pure, sanitised to dirty
As though its entirely their choice
To shift from one to another.
As though they are cool because they nibble on beef
Hiding from their ancestors
While pretending to eat curd rice and gojju
As though their exaggerated kajals
And short hair and tattooed arms
And pierced looks
Their supposedly fiery speeches
And innocent ignorances
Are only them being sensitive
And that these are not new markers of their
Obnoxious caste alignments
As though their cute voices and muted whisperings
Are proof of their sensibilities
And sensitivities
And their tiptoeing is just them being aware
While being loud.
Loud in their unspoken privilege
That sits on their heads like a permanent
And undeserved
And unearned
Halo
While they make exaggerated pretensions of muting their wealth
And privilege
Under the garb of humility
While their sons and daughters have assured jobs and incomes
As though….
~~~
Dr. Sylvia Karpagam is a public health doctor and researcher who works on the social determinants of health, specifically caste and nutrition.
