The above given photo has been circulating around for quite some time. And people are having varying opinion about the same, well not exactly about the whole phrase as such, but about the usage of the word “Mallu”. As most of us know, the term “Mallu” is basically an ethnic slur used to refer to Malayalees. But, it also means something else, according to the Hindi dictionary, the word “Mallu” means ‘ape’ or ‘monkey’. So my question here now is, if malayalees actually mind, being referred to as a “mallu”?
Akhil, a student from Chennai says “I don't think its racism. We malayalees, ourselves call people from other states by various names too. I think we must not lose our temperament when somebody calls us a mallu.”
Sanjoe an IT Professional, on the other hand says “It feels awkward when somebody calls me a mallu. In fact most of the times people don’t just say “mallu” t refer to keralites, they say ‘bloody mallus’, which I definitely find offensive.”
Febin, a student from Bangalore says that "first of all, there are two sides to this as far as I'm concerned. I really don't mind being called a mallu by my friends as a sort of friendly insult as it doesn't really affect me. Its just something between friends and we all, accept it or not, call different names for people from different states for the sake of fun, an example being calling a Bengali as bong! So that's something people do and is within the friend circle and no one cares, I really don't. But when it comes to using it as a prejudice, I don't really support it. I wont initiate a fight on this topic as being called mallu doesn't make me feel lame or any inferior."
Some people might be neutral about the whole issue, but on the other hand, there are some others who can feel their blood boil when they go through this whole thing. Abhirami, a student from Bangalore says “I don't like being called 'mallu', in fact when people call me a mallu I tell them on the face that I’m a Malayalee, not a mallu. I feel that the word mallu is often used in these low level jokes and are very obscene. I am henceforth completely against this whole concept and will always react when called so.”
“Why blame the others when we ourselves sometimes refer to us as ‘mallus’. As it is said in the Bible, “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye”, says Boban Mathew, from Chennai.
"I don’t really mind being called a mallu. I sometimes use the word myself. What I feel is, basically it all depends on the context in which the term is being used. If I find it insulting then I will surely find it offensive and hence react to it. Otherwise I am okay with it" says Annu a student from Bangalore.
Well I feel that it all finally comes to how we take it, and it’s always a personal choice. People who find it offensive will react and those who don’t find it offensive ill let it be, nothing can be done about it. Maybe most people who use the word ‘mallu’ to refer to malayalees are often unaware of the meaning of it and are just using it because others use it or maybe they just want to hurt the sentiments of the people.
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