Dalit - Not A Curse

“I swear to the Lord that I just can't see why democracy means everyone but me”

- Langston Hughes

Why am I a second rate citizen

Am I unworthy of your attention?

Trapped in your narrow minded social categories

That limit me, restrain me, cage me!

I’m tired of being a victim of shame

You’ve stripped me of my dignity, cursed my name

I may be a Dalit…but I’m human first

In your little world though…

I’m the worst of worst

My status, my birth, social standing and ranking

Is all that matters to you?

Not my character, values and all that’s just and true!

I step out and feel your hard stares on my back

Whispers behind cupped hands

Low caste, no class…poverty

Is that really all you see?

Can society ever stop judging me?

I’m human first, with a treasure of worth

If you would only give me a chance

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In Shakespeare’s own words:

“ If you prick us, do we not bleed?

If you tickle us, do we not laugh?

And if you poison us, do we not die?

Don’t judge a book by its cover

Or a person by a face

Stop being judgemental,

Criticising on Caste, creed, gender or race

The tri-color flag unfurls

To reveal a country of unparalleled diversity

Yet can we truly call ourselves that

If you refuse to accept people like me?

The first step to success is to unite

Failure strikes onto who divide

In this fragmented world, where leaders divide to gain power

Acceptance and tolerance is the need of the hour.

This is what is fair and right

Diversity the key to humanity’s might

So let us unite and set ourselves free

From these discriminating categories

To achieve a nation of true prosperity

And a vibrant Diversity.