“I was in class 6 and went to the school as usual in a happy and ecstatic mood. After the first four periods, the class monitor sprung in the room with news that the subject teacher was absent. I don’t think I need to explain the situation of the class. Everyone roared, banged the benches, shouted, attacked each other and what not. It was a joy for us.
But the initial enthusiasm turned into moaning as our sports teacher entered the room with a stick. Now, there was this system of checking the nails and hair, and ensure that they are tidy and without any nail polish.
Now, almost every brown skinned girl would have a black pigmentation just under their nails. I, too, had it. I was sitting in the first bench with my BAE (girl bestie). Sir came and asked me to show my nails. When I showed him my nails, he literally frowned at me with utter disgust and disgrace. And then he asked my fair friend to show her hands. And as you know, they were white.
‘Ewww. Look at her nails and look at your nails. Your nails are so dirty and black and look at her nails, so white and beautiful.’
The whole class was listening with quite interest. I could hear them giggling and talking at my back. But I knew that this time I have to speak up. If not for me, then for the rest of the brown population of our country (which includes both male and female).
‘Sir that was quite an ugly statement. Please refrain from saying such statements in future otherwise.’
My heart was pounding with tension.
‘Are you warning me? If that’s the case then let me tell you, the only ugly thing in this whole room is your ugly color and hands.’
At that moment, I couldn’t hold my tears back.
Later I reported it to the higher authorities, and they sacked the sir after 1 month of continuous complains.”
