Mother India

Written by an Indian girl who is tired of looking at her country and seeing the horrible things that go on.

Mother India

 

When I was growing up, my mother told me these things:

 

Don’t look at men in the eyes.

 

Don’t wear showy clothes.

 

If an older man is staring at you, ignore him.

 

Try and cover yourself up more.

 

Don’t draw attention to yourself.

 

Well, why did she tell me these things? She didn’t want me to get hurt? She thought men would harm me if I displayed my femininity?

 

Why did she tell me those things?

 

In India, I can’t wear shorts in over a hundred degree weather, simply because men will catcall me, touch me, harass me… try to rape me.

 

In India, I can’t go out after dark, simply because men will catcall me, touch me, harass me… try to rape me.

 

In India, victim blaming is more than a commonality, it’s expected.

 

Don’t go out late at night.

 

Don’t wear shorts in hot temperatures.

 

Don’t wear your hair down.

 

Don’t show too much skin.

 

If you leave a diamond in the street a thief will surely pick it up.

 

What do you do with a diamond? You secure and protect it. You shelter it and make sure it never sees the light of day save to display it for the enjoyment of others. They are objects of fascination, something everyone wants to touch.

 

Yes, you can say that women aren’t objects. Yet you can justify comparing women to diamonds.

 

I’ll sweat to keep myself from being assaulted by men who are sexually frustrated, and I will do it happily… because I don’t want my parents to think that they raised someone who likes to tempt men.

 

I’ll tie my hair up. Those long locks of dark hair that I thought would make me look classy and elegant are just another temptation factor for men.

 

I am not the owner of my body, fear is.

 

I fear the inferiors… and for what?

 

Do you even know who built India? Do you even stop to think about those things when you cat call, touch, harass or try to rape a girl that you don’t know? A girl whose life you’re making miserable because you are ‘just a guy and don’t know any better’?

 

Mothers built India.

 

In India’s history, we have Queens. Goddesses. Intellectuals. Mother’s of Kings, mothers of Prime Ministers, mothers of doctors, lawyers, businessmen… everything that has ever brought India to the face of the world has come forth from a mother. A woman.

 

Why do you think we call her Mother India?

 

You worship the Mother Goddess one night and rape a woman the other?

 

Do you think that you can catcall a girl on the street because you have some sort of power over her? Do you think that just because the authorities are on your side, you can get away with it?

 

We see you, you know. Mothers never forget. Your ancestors who fought, bleed, wept, sweat, and died to bring you the India you have now watch you and think… ‘This is what I sacrificed for?’

 

When you walk into your Mandir, you might as well keep your shoes on. Don’t wash your hands when you touch the idols. Don’t touch the feet of your elders. Don’t get on your knees and bow your head down in front of God.

 

What good will any of that do you?  They saw you when you thought you were untouchable. When you were catcalling, touching, harassing or raping that girl, they saw you.

 

Every time you destroy a girl, you destroy a Mother India.

 

Every time you destroy a man, you destroy a son of Mother India.

 

Every time you destroy anyone, you destroy a child of Mother India.

 

So tell me, now that you’ve been so humbled… why do you think my mother told me those things?

Author's Note

This was actually requested for me to write from one of my friends. She asked me if I wrote anything about India, and I said that I try to avoid it because everything I have to say about it makes me either angry or sad, and that wouldn't be right to say about my country especially so soon after Holi. She merely said that there is no better reason to write about one's country, so I gave it some thought, and then wrote this down.
I hope you guys like it, sorry if it got too graphic!
Reviews=motivation!!

-Mila

(That being said I do have a Holi story coming up!!)

Reviews

[Lyric]

Wow. Amazing and so touching. This kind of thing goes on in sooo many places, all over the world. I've never been to India and it wouldn't be right for me to say I understand because of stories that have come out of your country but I feel for you. And about the Goddesses, your so right, in fact so many of the people who have made impact on this world in general are women. Yet some people still don't understand that. Supremacy in all forms has always fascinated me, whats the point? I think you've told a wonderful story that would make an awesome speech. In fact you'd make an awesome politician. Good job :-)

[Mila]

Thank you very much! :)

[Taylor]

Mila, thank you for writing this powerful piece. I can feel the depth of sadness, the anger, the shame, the sacrifice, the strength, the truth. Though it is sickening, the stories which have come out of India in the last few years have been a light shining on a very dark side of a beautiful country with a noble history. Your tribute to the generations of women upon whose shoulders modern India is built is truly remarkable. Pitch perfect. It is poetic, it is grand in its simplicity.

[Mila]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[alf]

Hi Mila. This is sooo good. You have written about a part of life in India that I think is only coming into the focus of the outside world. Slowly but surely, there must be changes, and your help is needed on that front. You are direct and do not shy from the issues that affect you, and I hope that will continue speaking out for all those women who are unable to do so for themselves. Brilliant write, easy (though not so enjoyable) to read and understand, alf

[Mila]

Thank you very much!! It wasn't easy to write, it's never fun to bash your mother country.

[alf]

How very true, and my respect rises for you in having said that. This was a very emotive write and sends a powerful message. And I believe you, it couldn't have been an easy thing to do. I shall be back to read more of your work, alf

[MomzillaNC]

Beautifully and cogently presented. I must share it broadly! May I Tweet it and share it to FB?

[Mila]

Thank you! And sure, Absolutely! :)

[MomzillaNC]

YVW and sharing now!

[anne]

Every time you destroy a girl, you destroy a Mother India.
Every time you destroy a man, you destroy a son of Mother India.
Every time you destroy anyone, you destroy a child of Mother India....
I feel really ashamed..seeing this phase of India....on one side we worship them and on other they are raped and the worst part is...we have no strict laws for it...this is horrible phase of my India...

[Mila]

I agree, it's very disheartening!

[KWP]

Wow - certainly very current and you have made a great point here - Mother India - it is sad to see the way women are treated in your lovely country - especially when men operate in a pack like mentality :(

But when I was last there I saw a big change from my previous visit - not only with women but also with the caste system which was certainly inspiring to see.

Your words are truthful and honest - I am a fan of Indian Authors - especially the ones who can take you right in to the heart and soul of Indian living as you did here.

Great Job XX

[Mila]

Thank you very much!!

[Kristan A. Mohammed]

Okay this was a very good piece. Very reflective on the life of an indian woman. I really like your language and they way you speak of the men with such fear and hate in your words. It puts a lot of power into the story. And I really liked how you mentioned the mother goddess because they have no respect or women and yet most of their Gods are female. Great job here. Stay inspired.

[Mila]

Thank you!!

[Oberon Duke]

This is one of the best pieces I've read on here! It's an expertly presented admonition/argument. It expresses the emotion and presents a case without it feeling melodramatic. It grabs the reader by the scruff of the neck and shakes and doesn't let go. Every line packs a punch.

I honestly have no criticisms, except maybe the part where you repeat the line "simply because men will catcall me, touch me, harass me… try to rape me." I understand the reiteration is meant to drive the point home a little deeper, but it just felt redundant and clunky to me. I'd suggest maybe introducing a bit of variety between those two lines, but my opinion is purely subjective.

Overall this is a KILLER depiction of what you're trying to show and say. The emotion is real, the anger and the sadness and a feeling of helplessness mixed with a sense of empowerment, which is no small feat. Never having been to India myself, this showed a clear picture of the psyche of someone inside.

I could see this being a fantastic and powerful public speech. Very well done and thanks for posting!

[Mila]

Thank you!!

[Riley Justine]

A really well done story to discourage rape culture. Well done

[Mila]

Thank you!