Thread by @kavita_krishnan

First they came with the NRC, and I thought, what’s the harm with just identifying the “infiltrators”?

Then they called the “infiltrators” termites - and I said, that’s not nice, they’re just illegal immigrants.

Next they began evicting the illegals and demolishing their homes, and I said, well the indigenous do need the land, but can’t you clear the settlements after the rains?

And then I saw with horror - my own brother dancing with such glee on that human chest with a neat red hole in it, saying “it’s great to kill termites”.

And I asked in shock, how and when did this happen? When did my own brothers become addicted to this drug of hate?

My mind whispered the answer: it all happened here, your eyes saw it, your ears heard it, but you willed yourself to believe all would be well. You thought the game of “pin the badge on the illegal immigrant”, of sifting “citizen” from “non citizen” could happen…

…with the dry distance of documents - no need of high emotions, no big deal at all. The churning of the ocean need not produce poison need it? And if it does, surely my own brothers and sisters won’t taste it?

We went hunting for infriltrators, illegal settlers;
And on quiet feet, hate settled into the hearts of our own.