The Social Stigma

By Rajul Chordia

Does misogyny, patriarchy and sexism pertain to just a particular gender?

Are men the culprits

Or just victims in this whole gambit?

For the women are equally responsible

Mostly ignorant and blinded,

Tainting the image,

Damaging the very core of the society!

“Don’t step out at night,”

Oh! She has a boyfriend-

So they say.

“She dresses so inappropriately”

The reason for a rape!

Gossiping with all their might,

“She is sexually active without a ring!”

“Oh! Her marriage ended because she is stubborn!”

Endless judgment on things not of their concerns!

Make even domestic violence tolerable!

Accusations made by men and women alike,

Take the burden off the crime,

Attenuate the intensity of the offence -

Belabouring the victim,

A shameful act!

How we long for better circumstances,

Where every incident is judged based on its reality,

When children were raised as humans-

Not a girl or boy with rules for each!

And as I ponder on this

Where women belittle other women

Are also “responsible” for the minds of the men!

Am just wearied, tackling all these shades,

Those that emerged from the darkest phase,

Because, indeed, misogyny, patriarchy and sexism is a reflectance

Of the social frame - a subconscious acceptance.

By Rajul Chordia