Girls facing harassment has become a daily thing. But when a girl from the northeast comes to other parts of the country she is often outcasted. People make remarks about her looks, the way she dresses up and about is her native place a part of India.
Name calling to girls from the northeast is a common thing. 22-year-old Vinatoli Yeptho’s slam poetry titled ‘Five Rules for whomever it may concern’ is going viral for all the right reasons. The poem is about the racial discrimination and objectification faced by women from the northeast.
The poem has been viewed around 149k times and is being appreciated by all those who hate being judged by the society. Listen to her powerful poem here.
You can also read her poem here.
One, do not judge me if I wear hot pants or a sleeveless top with two pieces of clothes sliding from my shoulder to my chest because my clothes do not define who I am. What defines me is what I do and what I am capable of.
Two, do not stare at me if I have bright coloured hair or an inked body. Of Course, you can look at me and appreciate the art and effort, but I do not give you the right to stare at me and make me feel uncomfortable. It is an act of bravery; bravery of being different; of being unique; of not being afraid to experiment and not an open invitation to laugh or mock at!
Three, If I wear red cherry blossom lipstick and smile at you, do not take it otherwise. trust me it’s courtesy not curiosity.
Four, if you say sorry and I say it’s okay, doesn’t mean I am okay with you hurting me. It means you do it again and you know the consequences which brings me to five…
Five, do not underestimate by seeing the size of my fist, because when you look closely this small fist is made of molten iron.
One blow and you know you will be slayed like my small sharp eyes. it is so sharp that it can cut you into a thousand pieces when you look at it with lust and hatred.
And if you still do not obey these rules, remember, my forefathers were headhunters. I was born out of a clan of warriors. Remember the world’s hottest chilli is growing in my grandmother’s garden.
Remember the battle of Kohima, perhaps one of the cruelest battle in the history of World War II. Yes, it was fought in my backyard.
But dear, if you smile at me with love, kindness and oneness, I will be your friend. i will take you to places you haven’t been before. From plains to mountains, rivers to valleys.
I will narrate you the folk tales which were passed down to me by me grandfather and which were passed down to him by his great-great-great–grandfather.
I will tell you the story of the man who turned into a flower, a baby who tuned into a ladybird. I will sing you a melodious song like a bird chirping all day long. I will leave you a friendship band made of a silk worm.
All I ask from you is dear, please do not judge me on the basis of my feature or of my dress.
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