Page 90 of One Indian Girl
‘Thanks. But are you one?’
‘Never really thought about it. Never faced a situation where I had to be one. But I guess, yes.’
‘You are?’ I said.
‘I think all human beings should have equal rights. It’s not men versus women, it’s human versus human. Feminist is a wrong term. It should be humanist. The right question is “Are you a humanist?” Well, everyone should be,’ he said.
‘True,’ I said.
‘Are you a feminist, Radhika?’
‘What do you mean? I am a woman.’
‘Not all women are feminists.’
‘Really?’
‘Mothers who treat sons better than daughters. Are they feminists?’
‘No,’ I said.
‘Women who judge other working women as not being good enough mothers. Are they feminists?’
‘No. I see your point. Yes, I consider myself a feminist,’ I said.
‘Can I say something?’
‘Sure.’
‘I don’t think anyone has to specifically call himself or herself a feminist. If you are a fair person and want equal opportunities for all, that’s a start.’
I looked at him and smiled.
The waiter brought us another round of beer. The sun had vanished, leaving behind a dark grey sky. We watched the waves splash on the beachfront.
‘What else did you do in Goa on your field trip?’ I said.
‘Stuff. Stuff you don’t want to know.’
I got interested. ‘Oh, really. Like what?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Try me.’
‘Okay, checking out all the firang women on all the beaches.’
‘You mean leching at them?’
‘Of course not. I would call it more a studied observation,’ he said.
I laughed.
‘Engineers are sick,’ I said.
‘They are. Deprivation does that to us.’
‘What else?’
