So when people used to call me 'chinki' I thought that…
“So when people used to call me 'chinki' I thought that okay maybe my mother is Chinese so they are calling me that. It was only in my 20s, when I travelled to the north-east that I realised that it was racist and that the north-easterners were called this and they were not considered Indians just because of the way they look.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker realized that a nickname she thought was harmless was actually a racial slur targeting North‑Eastern Indians, revealing how ignorance can mask prejudice.
In simple terms: A nickname turned out to be a racist term.
Recognize and challenge hidden racism.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- college campus
- social media
- workplace
- family gatherings
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we educate others about regional slurs?
- What steps can we take to support marginalized groups?
Some may argue the term is just a nickname, but its impact is harmful.