Q3 of 30 Page 26

Expressing your Opinion

Do you think there is a color prejudice in our own country? Discuss this with your friend and write a paragraph of about 100 to 150 words about this. You have the option of making your paragraph a humorous one.


(Read the short verse given below)


When you were born you were pink


When you grew up you became white


When you are in the sun you are red


When you are sick you are yellow


When you are angry you are purple


When you are shocked you are grey


And you have the cheek to call me ‘coloured’.

Color prejudice in India.


There is no lawful color prejudice in India. Indian constitution guarantees equal rights to every citizen, irrespective of their color, religion or any other demographic distinction. Having said this, it is essential to note that the society is not free from prejudices. Preference of color and caste is still prevalent in the society. Laws have been made to protect the rights of every individual but the reluctance of the people to follow these laws instead of the pre-conceived societal notions has created an anomaly.


The law of the land doesn’t permit such discriminations and it is the fault of the societal mindset that the regional and color prejudice is still present in India.


More from this chapter

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1

Looking at contrasts

Nelson Mandela’s writing is marked by balance: Many sentences have two parts in balance.


Use the following phrases to complete the sentences given below:


(i) They can be (ii) I was born free


thought to love


(iii) but the triumph (iv) but he who


Over it. Conquers that


Fear


(v) to create such


Heights of character


1. It requires such depths of oppression


…………………….


2. Courage was not the absence of fear


……………………..


3. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid ……………………


4. If people can learn to hate…………………


5. I was not born with hunger to be free.

 2

This text repeatedly contrast the past with the present or the future. We can use coordinated clauses to contrast two views, for emphasis or effect.

Given below are sentences carrying one part of the contrast. Find in the text the second part of the contrast, and complete each item.


Identify the words which signal the contrast. This has been done for you in the first item.


1. For decades the Union Buildings had been the seat of white supremacy, and now…..


2. Only moments before, the higher generals of the South African defense force and police……saluted me and pledged their loyalty….not so many years before they would not have saluted…..


3. Although that day neither group knew the lyrics of the anthem….they would soon……………..


4. My country is rich in the minerals and gems that lie beneath its soil,…………….


5. The Air show was not only a display of pinpoint precision and military force, but…………………..


6. It was this desire for the freedom of my people………that transformed………….into a bold one, that drove………………to become a criminal, that turned……………..into a man without a home.

 1

Read the poem again, and work in pairs or groups to do the following tasks.

(i) Find the words that describe the movements and actions of the tiger in the cage and in the wild. Arrange them in two columns.


(ii) Find the words that describes the two places, and arrange them in two columns.


Now try to share ideas about how the poet uses words and images to contrast the two situations.

 2

Notice the use of the word repeated in lines such as these:

(i) On pads of velvet quite,


In his quite rage.


(ii) And stares with his brilliant eyes


At the brilliant stars.


What do you think is the effect of this repetition?