With the death of African-American man George Floyd by the white police officers, people across the world have stepped forward to extend support to the #BlackLivesMatter campaign. Since Floyd's death, numerous protests are ongoing in different countries including the United States, where the road to White House, Washington D.C. was painted with the slogan #BlackLivesMatter to stop the cruelty, racism, brutality which Black people are facing in the US.
However, racism is not only confined to the Black Lives, Asians especially Indians do go through this trauma of being judged based on colour and features. In many of the instances, Indians are being stopped outside restaurants, shopping malls, being bet on and asked if they have come from South America? Racism faced by Indians and the Black People has never been alike.
Indians in America are not allowed to speak over what 'black people' are saying. They are bound to listen to what they are saying and educate people as to what they are saying and what they need because it's not about us, said Arianna, Indian-origin social media influencer.
While narrating her stance of being categorized Arianna said, "I've seen so many Indian and coloured people try to make this about them. Yes, we have been through our struggles but it is not the same as what black people have been through. And we need to stop playing the Oppression Olympics and making this about us because it is very counterproductive and it's not helping anyone. "
Another Indian-origin social media influencer Rishi shed a light on the difference between racism faced by Indians and Black Americans and said, "in 1965, the United States government put in place a new immigration act that only allowed Asians immigrants in, who portrayed high education levels or special skills. And because of this, they were predetermined to be successful. And when we were, the media painted us as "model minorities," as good law-abiding citizens, that were the opposite of black people."
Black Americans, however, have never been introduced to a society based on education. They were brought in as slaves, as property. And then they were lent and segregated against, forced into ghettos, not given jobs and mass incarcerated against committing crimes for petty drugs and much more. And these issues generationally affect their communities because it's part of the system.
Yes, south Asians face ignorance, casual racism, hate crimes but we have never in American history been systematically dehumanised and oppressed in the way as people have.
In #BlackLivesMatter campaign, celebrities across the globe have been doing their part but Bollywood diva Kangana Ranaut has reprimanded Bollywood stars for protesting against racism while backing skin-lightening products. As per Kangana, it has become fanciful to be part of the socio-political reform of America but when two Sadhus (sages) were mob lynched in Palghar, no one raised their voice, there was no outrage which depicts the 'selective activism.'
In this race, several Bollywood stars have been labelled "hypocrites" after speaking out against racism and lent support to global protests while promoting products in India designed to make people's skin lighter.
In a series of protests against the death of George Floyd, ace Bollywood stars, including Priyanka Chopra, shared posts on social media seeking justice and equality for the Black race.
"End this race war here in the U.S., and around the world. Wherever you live, whatever your circumstances, NO ONE deserves to die, especially at the hands of another because of their skin colour," Chopra, 37, posted on Instagram.
Also Read: No Justice No Peace: Little girl marches in Black Lives Matter protest with rage. Video Viral
But, her gesture of protesting did not go well on social media. People were quick enough to point her out for previously promoting an "intense fairness moisturiser."
Not only this, but questions were also being raised at her role in 2008 Hindi film "Fashion" in which she is ashamed of having sex with a black man.
"Thanks for speaking out for black lives. But, maybe also stop supporting a skin bleaching cream which promotes anti-blackness," one user replied to Chopra's Instagram post. However, she was not immediately available to comment.
Despite being regretful of endorsing such product, Priyanka, a former Miss World who became a star in both Bollywood and Hollywood, has said in past interviews that she is proud of her dark skin.
Actresses Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani also faced criticism for their anti-racism social media posts while having featured in ads for skin fairness products.
Actor Abhay Deol, a vocal critic of fairness products and Bollywood's support said, "Most brands no longer want to be associated directly with being termed as 'fairness creams' rather they would call them 'skin brightening,'' 'whitening' or 'lightening' creams and face washes if they going to endorse Bollywood actors for this."
Critics say the film industry helps feed India's obsession with fair skin and bias against darker faces, with many pointing out it fails to represent the diversity of Indians.
For example, actors from southern states where most people are darker-skinned are rarely in mainstream Bollywood films.
Kangana Ranaut, a noted actress, spoke out against her Bollywood colleagues for promoting fairness products.
"These people, especially Indian celebrities, the successful ones ... have been endorsing all kinds of fairness products and today shamelessly they stand and say black lives matter - I mean how dare they?" she told the BBC in an interview last week.