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1/8
This brilliant piece from @AsimAli6 reminded me of an event from my childhood, that has stayed with me and helped form my opinion on " #UnapologeticHindu" bs. https://twitter.com/AsimAli6/status/1292365521816449026
This brilliant piece from @AsimAli6 reminded me of an event from my childhood, that has stayed with me and helped form my opinion on " #UnapologeticHindu" bs. https://twitter.com/AsimAli6/status/1292365521816449026
2/8
For the last 20+ years, the same person has worked at my parent's home(a Hindu brahmin household) as a housekeeper and she is a Muslim. Let's call her Aunt.
Her being a Muslim was a non-issue for my family. She is like a sister to my mom today. More than her actual sisters.
For the last 20+ years, the same person has worked at my parent's home(a Hindu brahmin household) as a housekeeper and she is a Muslim. Let's call her Aunt.
Her being a Muslim was a non-issue for my family. She is like a sister to my mom today. More than her actual sisters.
3/8
But that was not the consistent reality of Aunt. Being a kid I never noticed it.
The first time I saw a slice of her experience was when I was around 12/13 years old.
But that was not the consistent reality of Aunt. Being a kid I never noticed it.
The first time I saw a slice of her experience was when I was around 12/13 years old.
4/8
Now, sometimes my mom used to be in her office when my brother and I would be back from school. Those days, Aunt used to make sure she'd be at home and we'd eat.
One such day, we met a family friend on our way. She asked us about lunch and said if we needed her help.
Now, sometimes my mom used to be in her office when my brother and I would be back from school. Those days, Aunt used to make sure she'd be at home and we'd eat.
One such day, we met a family friend on our way. She asked us about lunch and said if we needed her help.
5/8
I told her that we were fine as Aunt was at home and she would help us out.
I still remember her reply, as she spoke in a lower volume:
"But do you know she is a Muslim?"
I felt something sinister about her tone. I was very young but I could identify hate.
I told her that we were fine as Aunt was at home and she would help us out.
I still remember her reply, as she spoke in a lower volume:
"But do you know she is a Muslim?"
I felt something sinister about her tone. I was very young but I could identify hate.
6/8
Did you notice I mentioned "lower volume"?
That was important. She knew she was saying something wrong.
She was weirdly ashamed of saying that.
That shame has now gone.
Did you notice I mentioned "lower volume"?
That was important. She knew she was saying something wrong.
She was weirdly ashamed of saying that.
That shame has now gone.
7/8
Now people in my extended family or friends would openly say islamophobic stuff while Aunt is around, only to stop on being called out by my mom.
And not being apologetic for that shame, is what most of these folks define as "Unapologetic Hindu".
Now people in my extended family or friends would openly say islamophobic stuff while Aunt is around, only to stop on being called out by my mom.
And not being apologetic for that shame, is what most of these folks define as "Unapologetic Hindu".
8/8
For them, the freedom to say vile hateful stuff and show other's their place is a sign of being unapologetic.
They enjoy saying stuff that hurts minorities.
And
They have stopped lowering their volumes.
For them, the freedom to say vile hateful stuff and show other's their place is a sign of being unapologetic.
They enjoy saying stuff that hurts minorities.
And
They have stopped lowering their volumes.
