Every book that I have written so far, has its own unique story. A part of me is in every book, though veiled. However, for “The Story of Us,” I am going to reveal what this book means to me.
In 2017 I read Nayan Chanda’s book, “Bound Together: How Traders, Preachers, Adventurers, and Warriors Shaped Globalization.” The first chapter of the book spoke about human migration from Africa. And how, our color and features changed during the centuries of human migration. I was so intrigued that I ordered the National Geographic Saliva Testing kit and became a part of the Human Journey. This first chapter is the inspiration for “The Story for Us.”
Why was this so important to me?
Because…
- I was the child that no one wanted to play with.
- I was the child that no one wanted to hold hands with.
- I was the child that was the last one to be picked to be on anyone’s team.
Because…
I was kali-black.
Mothers would tell their children, “if you don’t drink your milk, you will become kali-black like Inni.” By all accounts, I should have had a miserable childhood. But, I didn’t.
Because…
I had the unconditional love of my paternal grandfather, my parents, and my sister. They did not see my color, though I saw my color. They saw me. The way they treated me was as if, I was the most precious thing in their lives.
In my teenage years, my constant companions were, “Who will marry her? She is so dark?”
Yet, I saw my mother, fill my dowry chest with beautiful evening bags from Germany, silk temple saris from South India; exquisitely embroidered shawls, evening-gowns from England and so much more.
Love protected me.
Love cocooned me.
In my late fifties, I saw myself, and said I am “beautiful.”
Because…
Beauty had entered my life.
I know I am blessed.
I recognize it.
This book is written with the hope that children and adults will get to know the story of human migration and hopefully be kinder to each other.
And if my book prevents even one adult from calling a child kali-black, I would have accomplished much.
FYI: This manuscript was sent to over a dozen mainstream publishers in the USA and India. After exhausting all avenues, I chose to self-publish it, because it was important to me.
Inni Kaur