काळे गाणे

१ Best poem nomination for २००५

When I born, I black,
When I grow up ,i black,
When I go in Sun, I black,
When I scared, I black,
When I sick, I black,
And when I die, Im still black,

And u white fella,
when u born, u pink,
When u grow up, u white,
When u go in sun, u red,
When u cold, u blue,
When u scared, u yellow,
When sick, उ green,
And when u die, u gray,
And u calling ME coloured???

२ On a British Airways flight from Johannesburg, a middle-aged, well-off white South African Lady has found herself sitting next to a black man। She called the cabin crew attendant over to complain about her seating। "What seems to be the problem Madam?" asked the attendant। "Can't you see?" she said " You've sat me next to a kaffir. I can't possibly sit next to this disgusting human. Find me another seat!" "Please calm down Madam." the stewardess relied. "The flight is very full today, but I'll tell you what I'll do-I'll go and check to see if we have any seats available in club or first class." The woman cocks a snooty look at the outraged black man beside her (not to mention many of the surrounding passengers). A few minutes later the stewardess returns with the good news, which she delivers to the lady, who cannot help but look at the people around her with a smug and self satisfied grin: "Madam, unfortunately, as I suspected, economy is full. I've spoken to the cabin services director, and club is also full. However, we do have one seat in first class." Before the lady has a chance to answer, the stewardess continues ... "It is most extraordinary to make this kind of upgrade, however, and I have had to get special permission from the captain. But, given the circumstances, the captain felt that it was outrageous that someone be forced to sit next to such an obnoxious person." With which, she turned to the black man sitting next to the woman, and said: "So if you'd like to get your things, sir, I have your seat ready for you..." At which point, apparently the surrounding passengers stood and gave a standing ovation while the black guy walks up to the front of the plane.
people will forget what you said .... people will forget what you did .... but people will never forget how you made them feel.

हे सर्व लिहिण्याचे कारण म्हणजे काल सकाळ मध्ये मुक्ता मनोहर यांचा मरियम मकेबा यांच्यावर लेख आहे. मरियम मकेबा यांच्या आत्म्चरित्राचा मराठी अनुवाद ’काळे गाणे’ सुमारे १० वर्षांपूर्वी वाचला होता. साऊथ आफ़िकेतील चालीरीती, अंधश्रध्दा आणि काळ्या वर्णासाठी व एक स्त्री म्हणून अशा दोन्ही पातळ्यांवर मरियम मकेबा यांनी किती लढा दिला हे त्या पुस्तकात प्रभावीपणे मांडले आहे.

एक होता कार्व्हर या पुस्तकातही कार्व्हर यांना काळे असण्याचा कसा त्रास सहन करावा लागतो हे येते.

मरियम मकेबा ११ नोव्हेंबर २००८ रोजी एका गाण्याच्या कार्यक्रमात असताना गेल्या. पुस्तकाची आठवण आली त्यानिमित्ताने हे लिखाण.