Language Matters. We Must Be Sensible About What We Speak!

My heart literally bled when I read about how imbecile and impatient humans can get when things come to a standstill. I am talking about the incident in north Delhi where a 25-year-old Manipuri girl was being spat on and given the title of ‘Corona’ by a middle-aged man. Her fault? She hailed from the North east…

In our humdrum lives, how many times do we come across such instances where people just label one another on the basis of their ethnicity, race and religion? It’s a sad spectacle that our North East friends are often at the receiving end, and bear the brunt most of the times. And I feel so sorry and helpless when they are summoned with terms like ‘Corona’, ‘China’ and what not! 

It’s bizarre to even think that Corona affects people owing to ones race, social background and religion. Thankfully, it’s not like that. Also, its a farce to even conceive the thought that anybody with oriental features (like that of China, in this case its people from the North East) are more susceptible to the virus. 

Surprisingly, the virus exudes indiscrimination. It’s not bothered by which part of the world you are from. If you fail to be careful, you are susceptible; the logic is as simple as that. Also, India is the most populous democratic nation in the world. Where does this divide come from then? What is the greatest ecstasy in calling people names? And calling them ‘Coronavirus’? 

I wonder how Martin Luther King Jr. would have reacted if he were alive to see this spectacle today. One of his very famous quotes read, “I look to a day when people would not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Well, let the rest remain unsaid.

It’s high time that we adhere to the fact that if we are not careful, we can pick up the virus from any surface. And, remember that during such tough times as now, it’s of perennial importance that we embrace love, compassion and gratitude towards one another. It’s no secret that nothing great has come out of despising, bigotry and fanaticism.

Instead, we can strive to be better with each passing day, especially amid the lockdown, amid such a critical situation. The least we can do now is to spread the message of love and put an end to labelling others. Like my title said, language is important, and we must be sensible about how we talk. And, if that’s not now, then when?