Dear Friend With White Spots

By Binnita Shah

I see the same dream you dream. A world that sees us beyond our skin, and counts us in on the same team. Where we’re not misunderstood, where we’re seen as beautiful. Where our skin disorder doesn’t make us or our families feel shameful.

Why should it? It’s not our fault. It’s Vitiligo, an auto-immune disorder. Haven’t we tried every medicine? Even laser? And so far, there’s no guaranteed cure.

While the white spots are harmless, the way they’re seen hurts the most. Some call it karma, skin cancer, even a curse from a holy ghost.

But we’re far back in this queue, other biases have a louder scream. We have to wait for our turn, until then hold on to this dream.

We have to wait until every religion starts living peacefully. When every gender and sexual orientation treat each other respectfully. We have to wait until every girl child lives and goes to school. When cities and villages drink water from the same pool.

We have to wait until fair or dark skins aren’t praised or dismissed. When the world learns that we need a healthy planet to coexist. Dear friend with white spots, our dream may take a while. Until then, don’t late their ignorance snatch away your loving smile. Loving regards, Your friend with white spots

By Binnita Shah