image courtesy: illustracee on Instagram
We all know about the amount of colorism that is normalized across our country, and how the world still suffers under racism. Yes, we all know of this, and yet, how many of us are doing our part in making this shadow go away? This is me, trying to do my part one article at a time, attempting to prove my point...
You might be wondering what Beyonce’s role is in this article, well you'll see soon enough, so hold that thought.
Bollywood runs one of the biggest mind game mafias to ever exist. No, I'm not referring to nepotism at all, so hold your horses just yet. I am instead talking about the twisted content that Bollywood puts forth every other day for the world to see. And to think that I was in love with some of that very trash... a seriously cringe moment to look back upon.
'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' was a movie I would enjoy so much as a kid, but as I grew up the dark concepts the movie was promoting finally dawned upon me. If you haven't watched the movie yet, here's a little summary. Our protagonist is a lad named Rahul whose best friend is Anjali, but she is a shamed for being a 'tomboy' which is somehow a bad thing. As a way of conceiving her as even more undesirable, her character doesn't use makeup... (Oh God, what a sin, isn't it?) Along comes Tina who is deemed super attractive because of how she wears expensive dresses, makeup and stuff that catches Rahul's attention. Now since Anjali likes the hero, she tries changing her lifestyle for him (things like trying on sun-dresses and all that jazz) but becomes a laughing stock instead.
Anjali eventually leaves and Rahul marries Tina, but... Tina dies after a while. So, the story takes a detour where Rahul's daughter finds Anjali for her father (apparently Tina wanted him to end up with her), but unfortunately the girl is now engaged and super feminine (somehow long hair is associated with femininity).
Rahul falls in love as soon as he lays eyes on her cause now, she's his type, and the girl ends up with him. If the amount of problematic notions this movie has put out isn’t already clear to you... this article isn't for you, my friend. This rather long detour we took was just to portray an example of how Bollywood rolls.
Recently a song named 'Beyonce sharma jayegi' was released, which essentially means ‘Beyonce will feel ashamed’, but for what though? Apparently, it was that the actress starring in the song is light-skinned and her complexion can make Beyonce feel insecure (at least that's what the lyricist implied).
Now you know why this article involves Beyonce, the same woman who released the musical film 'Black is king' revolving around self-discovery and self-love. The film largely tried to vanquish the colorist and racist notions that prevails across the globe. Now my question is, why would a woman, who loves her heritage and has embraced her true self feel insecure? She literally showcased dark skin to be flawlessly beautiful, nailing it in the process!
A film is made by a large group of people. What enrages me is how none of them thought it disrespectful to call out an international icon who has been making a difference in such a derogatory manner? In a meaningless song, and to achieve what? Not even the actors or playback singers felt any different? While we’re talking about playback singers, Vishal Dadlani is the singer of this disgrace who, just a few months back tweeted about uplifting the society and washing away racism and colorism... now he writes these disdained lyrics and sings it as well, how wonderful, guess he found a way to eliminate racism eh?
‘Beyonce sharma jayegi’, yes honey, from second hand embarrassment. After the backlash they received from viewers all over the world they changed the name of the song twice to ‘Beyonse sharma jayegi’ and then to ‘Duniya Sharma jaayegi’. Like yeah, this is fair and lovely part 2, or is it glow and lovely?
I am so embarrassed for these people; it still stands to speculation how well they're taking it now that even name changes aren’t helping. Anyway, songs like this and fairness creams that sell the same product to us under different banners are proof that racism and colorism still exists, right in front of us. It's definitely up to us whether to continue this chain or cut it loose.
Despite being so disgusted by the song, I'm happy that a large number of people stood against it and called out those involved. I'm happy that a lot of people are using their voices actively, giving a piece of their mind to those who really deserve it.
Maybe in 50 or a 100 years racism and colorism might just be a memory, but change needs to happen, and for that we need to remember the little mantra; If not me then who? If not now, then when?
- Samyuktha Prasanan