Riri and us

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9th August 2020, Farmers in the northern area of the country began their protest against a bill passed by the government. Every day, this entire protest takes a turn and news floods across the country!

In the recent event of this protest we read, Rhianna tweet about the protest asking “Why is anybody not talking about the protest?”. This is not the first time when an international celebrity has tweeted about an internal issue and made it to the headlines.

Shortly enough, we saw the internet divided in support and against her. While it is healthy to have a debate in a democracy because it put forth and considers all the perspectives, my problem is when the lines are blurred.

The country that wakes every hour with new rape news boiled its blood with Rhianna’s comment. No doubts, there were people supporting her but then there were trolls. I scrolled through the comments are I was not even shocked to read what was spoken against her.

In no time, people started applauding Chris Brown for assaulting her back in 2009 stating that she deserved this. A country, that finds no other way to shut a woman than to take a painful story from her past is being disgraceful on the global front.

It has been the case always. Every time a woman in the house tries to speak up, she is termed as “REBEL” – “TOO MODERN” – “TOO BOSSY” and what not!

I believe, we Indians are in-built with patriarchy and that is okay because no one is perfect. Some countries are learning to be anti-racists too. The problem arises and refused to shun when we don’t even try to improve.

When a celebrity is trolled because she being “she” stood for an internal matter…

when a celebrity is trolled because she is alleged to have a role to play in an unsolved murder…

when a celebrity is alleged for plastic surgery,

for a skirt, for a pose, for a video, for her choice of men –

or for merely existing – we as a nation collectively fail!

We fail to stand up for a point in the most respectful possible way. We successfully show that if an international celebrity is treated this way, our women have no say in the home country.

As of today, the news of that tweet being paid is floating and frankly, that is not even my concern. Whether it was paid or not, we as Indians have no right to drop at this level just because someone has a different opinion than us.

In my opinion, opposing someone is one thing, and saying that what happened to you was correct just because she is speaking up is painfully disturbing at so many levels. It tells a lot about our mentality as a nation that praises and follows democracy.

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India shall soon surpass its neighbour, that is China in terms of population. However, as far as its working population is concerned, we are far behind! International Labour Organisation says that only a fifth of adult women had a job or sought one in 2019, compared with three-fifths in China. The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, a local research firm, put the share of urban women in or looking for work at just 7% in November.

But why is that so? It is found that there is a lack of knowledge among the females of the country when it comes to the value of financial independence. While the urban ladies are opting for jobs, there is still a large group of women who prefers to put an end to the career post marriage.

What we collectively fail to instill in our women is the power of financial independence. Given the patriarchal mindset, the society is diving into – there is no point in guessing how deep-rooted and well-planned this lack of knowledge is.

Younger teenage girls are often shown marriage as the ultimate goal of their lives and not even once the value of earning your bread and butter is taught to them.

Independence

When a woman becomes financially independent whether she is married or not, she gets a stand in society. Her opinions are heard, valued, and thought upon. Not just that, with financial independence, a freedom to choose and cut ties with things/people/situations that don’t serve you is possible.

Today, the country is loaded with cases of domestic violence and some women choose to stay in the abuse because they have nowhere else to go. When you are financially independent, your confidence is unshakable and you are well versed with self-sustainability.

I believe, to ensure that women don’t rise and are always unquestionably obeying men, women are not taught the importance of saving, earning, and investing.

The ones who decide to be financially independent are looked down on but do not fall for it. Irrespective of, how rich your husband and in-laws are, irrespective of how little you earn – having a goal, a career, savings, and an empire of your own is always better than being rich and yet having nothing of your own.

We need to tell our little girls, rebellious teens, and younger women that making money is not wrong. Making money is your birthright and financial independence is your ticket to freedom. Your marriage cannot be above your career because, at the end of the day, it is better to own your bread and butter!