The "Race" Thing

As an Asian Indian, I had personal experiences of racial discrimination.

In the early 60's, as a student in London, England, we Indians had seen "No Colored Allowed" signs at rental apartments. We had been branded "Pakhis". (In South Africa, Indians were called "Coolies"). Discrimination in the workplace was common.

Later during the Civil Rights era, in Atlanta, Georgia, many of us Indians, along with African Americans, had faced segregation in buses, theaters, restaurants and other public places.

Perhaps the cruelest form of discrimination was evidenced in the last two centuries in all the Colonies occupied by Imperial powers.

Shashi Tharoor, Indian Member of Parliament, documents at least three examples of atrocities of British Rule of India.

1) Jallianwala Bagh: On April 13, 1919, soldiers under the order of British Brigadier Reginald Dyer opened fire on peaceful freedom demonstrators in India killing over 1,000 innocent men, women and children.

2) Partitioning of India: In 1947, British Representative, Cyril Radcliff drew the important border of India and Pakistan over the course of a single lunch. This resulted in uprooting over 10 million Hindus and Muslims and massacre of one million people in sectarian killings.

3) Man made Famine in Bengal: In 1943 during World War II, (as artfully portrayed in Satyajit Ray's movie "Distant Thunder") over four million Bengali's starved to death when Winston Churchill diverted food to British Soldiers. This was followed by a deadly famine in Bengal, India.

Racial and ethnic persecutions have taken their toll on people all over the world.

However, until now, the extent of horror was slow in spreading the universe.

With the new social media, these incidents of racial unjust are no longer covered under the rug. They are exposed in all their cruel nakedness to the entire world.

So, when the current events brought the cry of "Black Lives Matter" it struck a chord with everyone.

Victor Hugo said, "Stronger than the mighty army is the idea whose time has come".

Time has come for racial justice.

Mahatma Gandhi carried the torch for Indian Independence struggle in the 1900's.

Martin Luther King orchestrated the civil rights uprising in the U.S.

Nelson Mandela united a divided and apartheid South African nation.

Who will peacefully champion the cause of racial justice today?

Where is the Messiah?