To whomsoever is on the other side of this, I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well.
My name is Karishma D’Lima and I release a variety of creative works under the moniker k o k u m. I am primarily a musical artist. However, you can find my photography, journal and music on my website – www.dearkokum.live. I’m based in Mumbai, India although I spent many years in San Diego and San Francisco, CA.
Earlier this year, we witnessed the gripping demonstrations against police brutality and racism in America following the death of George Floyd, a Black man who suffocated to death while being arrested. We are no strangers to abuse of authority here in India. Newspapers constantly and indiscriminately cover hate crimes against Dalits and religious minorities. It feels difficult to hope and easy to succumb, especially with my privilege. But the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement inspired a voice in me.
Indians suffer a post-colonial hangover marked by colorism- it is no secret that we still struggle with embracing and fighting for our “multi-colored” identities. Our aspirations still lie down a ‘yellow brick road’, with no wizard solving our problems at the end of it or absolving us of the sins we commit along the way. My work titled “Yellow Brick Road” is about the inspirational fight for justice that BLM enables, taking ownership of ones identity (Queer, Muslim, Dalit, dark-skinned). The song tries to tackle complex socio-political issues with a wide intersectional lens: my privileged vantage point of these atrocities in India and America, as well as my personal experiences of the colorism prevalent here in India. Here is the video. You can also find the song lyrics here.
The BLM movement has provided a space for my voice as an Indian- partly due to our own punishing of dark skin, but also because of our battle with authoritative governance. For those that find excuses to look away, it is my hope that this piece offers South Asians a stake in the BLM movement; a reason to uplift our Black brothers and sisters, and fight for equal justice for all.
I’m honored that social justice worker and President of Minneapolis NAACP – Leslie E Redmond appreciated and shared this piece. I do hope you find value in this perspective and help me uplift the movement in America, while bringing attention to the injustices we face here in India.
Themes I explored include: Colorism, Appropriation of Black Culture, Capitalism, Activism, Abuse of Power/Police Brutality, Oppression, Unity, Equality, Morality, Compassion, Identity.