Like most of you, I too am well educated with two degrees and an MBA.
Like most of you, I too have a profession - I'm a cake decorator and I make some of the most beautiful cakes you've ever seen.
Like most of you, I too am a proud 'mother' of two kids.
I've been in Israel for 6 years now. The only reason I came to Israel is because my husband is Israeli.
Before I came to Israel; I lived in Singapore for 10 years, which is also highly populated with Indians - maids as well as CEO's.
And so is the rest of the world by the way.
The reason I say all the above, is because in the 6 years that I have been here in Israel,
the only assumption that people make when they see my Indian face is that I am either a 'maid' or a 'metapelate'.
Not that there is anything wrong with either of the two.
But it bothers me when you discriminate me because of the way I look.
And NO!!! I would like to be called the 'mother' of my kids not their 'metapelate'.
I have had strangers start a conversation with me - asking me if I work as a 'metapelate' here.
Or offer me a cleaners job for the weekend to earn more money.
This morning I was hassled by this guy at the super market because he was looking for a cleaner who would come to clean his house twice a week.
I politely told him I'm not a maid and that my husband is an Israeli. His immediate assumption was that
I came here as a 'metapelate' and then married an Israeli. He is not the first person to say that either.
What amazes me even more is that when I tell people of this behavior they sympathize with these people saying
'yeah but you look Indian that is why......!!!!'.
"Discrimination is a symptom of ignorance, and a lack of humility and tolerance".
Like most of you I too am very proud of who I am, what I am and what I do.
I am very proud to be an Indian too that is why I choose to keep my Indian passport when offered an Israeli one.
I know Israeli's who rave about the hospitality they received in India when they visited there.
I don't expect you to do the same but the least you can do is not discriminate based on someone's appearance.
I hope this email will help you understand how your actions affect others and will in some way help bring awareness in the society.
I don't mean to offend anybody with any comments made above.
Thank you for reading and understanding.
Veena Azmanov
