Soul stirring books on discrimination
The modern world is under a siege and is echoing by the cries of those who have been suppressed, discriminated and subjugated. With the recent killing of George Floyd, a black man by a white American police officer, protests have erupted all over the United States. The deep rooted racism which led to the killing of George Floyd is prevalent in many countries dominated by white supremacists. This ‘feeling’ and ‘power’ of supremacy have led to persecution of minorities all over the world. Be it the Rohingya people in Myanmar, Uyghurs in China, Dalits, Muslims and Tribals in India or women across the world; all have been subjected to violence in various forms.
It is believed that writing is a form of resistance. Through their works, many writers have voiced their opinions against atrocities committed on the marginalized and the downtrodden. Here is a look at some moving and touching books on discrimination.
‘Between the World and Me’ by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The book is written as a letter to the author's teenage son about the feelings, symbolism, and realities associated with being Black in the United States. Coates shares with his son, and readers, the story of his awakening to the truth about his place in the world through a series of revelatory experiences.
Pic credit: One World
‘Untouchable’ by Mulk Raj Anand
The book is a recreation of one day in the life of the sweeper and latrine cleaner Bakha, an untouchable. Bakha bitterly ponders on his lot in a flamboyant language. The novel ends with him attending a meeting at which Gandhi appears.
Pic credit: Penguin India
'Invisible Women' by Caroline Criado Perez
The books depicts how, in a world largely built for and by men, we are systematically ignoring half the population. It exposes the gender data gap which has resulted in a gap in our knowledge that is the root of perpetual, systemic discrimination against women. This has led to a universal invisible bias with a deep effect on women’s lives.
Pic credit: Chatto & Windus
‘Karukku’ by Bama
The book is written by a Christian Tamil woman and revolves around the main theme of caste oppression within the Catholic Church. It portrays the tension between the self and the community, and presents Bama's life as a process of self-reflection and recovery from social and institutional betrayal.
Pic credit: Oxford University Press
‘The Rohingyas: Inside Myanmar’s Hidden Genocide’ by Azeem Ibrahim
Over four lakh Rohingyas have fled Myanmar and thousands have been killed since the military crackdown and sectarian violence that began in August 2017. This book traces the history of the Rohingya people to show how they became one of the world’s most persecuted minorities.
Pic credit: Speaking Tiger Publishing Private Limited
‘Mothering a Muslim’ by Nazia Erum’
For writing this book, Erum spoke to over a hundred children and their parents across twelve cities. Subsequently, she uncovers stories of religious segregation in classrooms and widespread bullying of Muslim children in many of the top schools in India.
Pic credit: Juggernaut
'The Uyghurs – Strangers in Their Own Land' by Gardner Bovingdon
The Chinese state and foreign analysts have portrayed Uyghur activists as Muslim terrorists, situating them within global terrorist networks. In this book, the author argues that these assumptions are flawed and draws a clear line between Islamist ideology and Uyghur nationhood.
Pic credit: Columbia University Press
‘The Truth about Me’ by A. Revathi
The book is a courageous and moving autobiography of a 'hijra' who fought ridicule, persecution and violence both within her home and outside to find a life of dignity. It centers on Revathi, who tells her life story and evokes marvelously the deep unease of being in the wrong body that plagued her from childhood.
Pic credit: Penguin India
‘The Colour Purple’ by Alice Walker
The book is located in rural Georgia and focuses on the life of African-American women in the Southern United States in the 1930s. It addresses the numerous issues including their exceedingly low position in American social culture.
Pic credit: Wikipedia
‘Seasons of the Palm’ by Perumal Murugan
The book presents the life of a goat herding Dalit boy who works for a non-Dalit family a little higher than him in caste. It is harsh in its portrayal of the daily humiliations of untouchability. It is also poetic in its recreation of the grace with which the oppressed come to terms with their dark fate.
Pic credit: Penguin Random House India
Start a Conversation
Post comment