Hey, I see you. Staring. Mean words forming on the tip of that tongue.
Chinky. Yellow face. Chinese fever.
I slink away. Do you notice my smile?
My name is Lulu. Too hard to remember?
It’s not me but that fat-fried brain of yours that can’t place a name or a face.
Oh! You see my sister. She’s Laxmi. You crack up every time she walks by.
Poop head. Brownie. Indian plague.
Be careful. She’s smarter than twenty of you put together.
We’re adopted. Sisters born from adversity, bonded in kindness, our present parents – strangers approved by a crumbling legal system.
We’re the joke of the school, the talk of the town. White is the predominant color. Supreme in every way but for no rhyme or reason.
Lulu and Laxmi, two Asian girls, christened as piss and shit. Bravo! At least you can identify the colors.
Yellow and brown. Mix them both, tan is the subsequent color.
Isn’t that what you die for? You lay in the sun for hours and tanning beds, the secret of that dark glow and probably upcoming cancer. You pay to die. Is that wise?
We keep our heads down and scurry about. You think this is a sign of weakness.
Hah! Looking away makes us forget your ugliness. Hell! We’re smart chicks who know an ass when they see one. Haven’t you read about the benefits of ‘minding your own damn business’?
The cafeteria at lunch is a realm of social desires. Food and company the best meal combo available. But we, Lulu and Laxmi, cower together at the end of a lopsided lunch table. Our faces buried in egg sandwiches and carrot slices.
Our mom advocates healthy eating.
You snigger and throw uneaten food at us.
Don’t you know about 10% of the world population lives in extreme poverty? Don’t waste your food on piss and shit.
Save it white supremacist. The way you’re headed, you’ll need to chew on it someday.
Disclaimer: No offence intended. This is just a fictional depiction of a color-blind mind.
He said, ‘Please Let Me Pee!‘ They shrugged and said, ‘No English.’ It turns out language wasn’t the problem.
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So good…..
Thanks Don. 🙂
Was well deserved…..
What a racist article. Racism in reverse.
Now that’s a colorless accusation. 🙂
It’s interesting. You’ve taken a different approach here, because normally when I come across flash fiction stories regarding racism there’s usually that “stand up to the bigot” moment, but Lulu and Laxmi represent the reality of bearing the brunt of racism in silence, which many people do in order to survive the day or make it through life.
There was an ad campaign that ran a few years back, dealing with racial and gender abuse and the slogan was something to the point of “The abuse you ignore, is the abuse you allow.”
And I can’t help but wonder, if racists, in your case, children, were gifted with foresight rather than hindsight, and they could see the future outcome of the things they said out of spite, ignorance, jest and yes, even jealousy, see the torture, the torment, and even the potential suicide (not suggesting your Lulu and Laxmi are heading on that path) would that change things at all?
Thought provoking post, as per your norm. I tip my hat to thee.
Thank you Rhyan. There was a bit of a twist to this one. The girls though silent are confident of themselves and recognize a battle that can’t be won. So instead of being affected by the negativity, they shield themselves with their own positivity. I know this is not the case in many instances, but I do remember being subjected to bullying as a kid. And though I did stand up to it, at times, it was best to just let it go. And some bullies, not very hardworking, just gave up when they couldn’t get a response. So, it’s about assessing the situation and taking effective steps.
I think Lulu and Laxmi could give these guys/gals an inferiority complex to last for a lifetime.
But isn’t that what racial abuse and bullying is all about. The one doing it is the real weakling.
Thanks for your stupendous thoughts and words. And for the support and encouragement. We’re all on lonely journeys, trying to make sense of this, that, and whatsoever. 🙂
It was not my intention to suggest that Lulu and Laxmi were weak or cowardly for choosing to walk the higher path, simply that nowadays, that choice in this current climate is becoming the road less traveled, to the point where even historical events depicted in movies and television, will alter reality and insert modern day activism into situations where they did not exist in order to appease today’s audiences.
As with our prior discussion on grief, bullying, racial, gender-based and otherwise, is something most of us have had to suffer in our lives, and as you so eloquently stated, you pick your battles because not every fight is winnable. Some of the unkindest racial cuts come from well intentioned souls who simply do not know better and truly aren’t aware what they’re saying is racist.
There was a commercial back in the 70s where an old man and a young boy are in rowboat on the peaceful lake, and the boy says, “Yesterday, Jimmy said I was prejudiced.”
The old man asked, “Do you know what prejudice is?”
“No.”
“Well, prejudice is when you react to someone based on their religion or their color.”
“But I don’t do that,” the boy said.
“Who is Jimmy?”
“Jimmy’s one of my Jewish friends.”
And the old man replied, “Then you are prejudiced because you think of Jimmy as your Jewish friend and not your friend.”
Ahhh! This really is a good example of being blissfully unaware of our own prejudices and thought patterns. When we label then we disable ourselves from liberal thinking and universal acceptance. It’s like black, brown, lighter shades, and white, each has their own place and level in a hierarchy. And what about the same colors that then differentiate amongst themselves based on religion and faith. The list is endless. You can spark a conversation that just goes on forever. That is a wonderful ability and talent. And you have it.
Now please take a bow. 🙂
I’ve been poking around your blog Terveen – not sure why it took me so long. Anyway, all I can say is wow! You’re such a talented story teller. I look forward to reading more of your work. Wishing you well, AP2 🙏🙂 (The last comment came up as anonymous for reason)
Hi AP2!
I appreciate you taking out the time. It’s a precious commodity. And thanks for reading and admiring my writing. It’s something that keeps me going, a lifeline. Hope to write much more in the coming future.
And I don’t understand why people are turned into anonymous. My blog has mood swings.
Kidding!
Please stop by and share your valuable comments. They are definitely so good and creative. 🙂
Interesting read Terveen.
Thank you so much, Jonaki! 🙂
‘Colour blind mind’ love it!
Yeah! That was a colorful thought. Thanks so much, Cassa. 🙂
Well, that’s telling them, Terveen. I don’t know why there is a barrier even in these day and age. It is about time people learned that it takes all kinds to make the world! We simply can’t do without one or the other. I mean each one of us from different parts of the world, are stamped in a map. You cannot ignore it!
So true, Shobana. It’s time diversity actually takes the driving wheel and steers everyone towards liberal thinking and peaceful co-existence. I wish people could look above and beyond skin color. Isn’t it so trivial? I’m glad you have strong thoughts about this. It’s a sensitive issue. And wish you well always. 🙂
Thank you, it is sad actually.
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This story means a lot to me. I also grew up in a predominantly white country as a dark skinned girl. I think it’s the most shallow that you can be – to put someone into a category based on a colour and call them names because of it. That’s why I really like the sarcasm and irony in this piece – because it helps to illustrate how doing these things is ridiculous and dumb. I feel like more people should read this story and understand that this is what it’s like for a lot of people and that it really shouldn’t be. I like the line about white being superior for every reason but rhyme or reason. I still don’t, and will never understand, why some people think it’s superior. I truly never will.
I feel your words and understand the predicament. And there’s no logic to it. Who were the first to initiate such bias? And who told them that white is better than other colors. It’s probably deep rooted in history where demographics plays an important role and an overall assessment was made based on this.
Or it’s just twisted minds weaving twisted thoughts. But those who have gone through this truly understand its sad significance.
Let’s hope that time will change this. It is getting better. And as always thank you so much for your wonderful input and clever analysis of my words and thoughts. I love reading them. 🙂