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For a number of activists and aspiring changemakers, the news of former US President Barack Obama’s visit to India caused plenty of excitement.
Yours truly was privileged enough to be nominated, and, after a hilarious faux pas (deleting the invitation email because I thought it was spam!), traveled to Delhi for a one-of-a-kind evening with one of the world’s most popular leaders.
Venue: Teen Murti Bhawan, New Delhi
Time: 1:30pm
Emotion: WOW! People will show up early for an event if they’re interested enough!
After agonised waiting and deep breathing, hurried bathroom breaks and even more strict announcements prior to his appearance, Anshul Tewari, Founder of Youth Ki Awaaz, said a few words in praise of the Obama Foundation, and went on to invite the man of the moment to join him on stage.
During the interaction, however, something interesting happened.
Pass the Mic
Nidhi Razdan, veteran journalist, was chosen to ask Obama her question – but she was quickly shut down as Obama realised she was a journalist. He expressed that the town hall wasn’t for journalists, and she should pass the mic.
Razdan has since addressed the snub on Twitter:
As an invitee and an activist rather than a journalist, Razdan’s question to Obama did piss me off.
She began with "I work with NDTV, I covered your interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi..." and trailed off as the man stopped her with, "You should be talking to these people [the audience]", before asking her to sit down and give someone else a chance.
But why was a privileged, super-resourceful journalist asking to be called upon at a town hall? Couldn't someone from the activist community, someone with less privilege and an actual cause, be heard instead?
Did Nidhi Razdan consider that she, with all her fame, might be taking up space that perhaps an activist or social worker who doesn’t enjoy the access to power she does, might have used to further their cause? As a journalist with multiple years of experience, surely it would have occurred to her that she, being who she is, will always be in a position of power. She can connect with influencers anytime she wants, and will even receive responses.
We, on the other hand, don't. Even if our causes are as serious as Child Sexual Abuse. As we work on fraught social issues like rape, Female Genital Mutilation, transgender rights and the like, most ministers and influencers do not so much as care to hear us out.
With the media, there is an undeniable mutually beneficial relationship which can be put to use whenever either party wishes for either coverage or information. I wish we activists and campaigners had those benefits, because some of our causes DESERVE them.
One could easily state that Nidhi Razdan did have a relevant question to ask. I do not doubt that, and I do not have a personal problem with her either, quite the opposite. As a female, I admire her tenacity and professional growth. My singular point is, she already has her own platform, and doesn't need ours in order to ask a question. Recognise your privilege and pass the microphone to the next person, please.
The mic was passed, after President Obama made his point. But the lady remained adamant and unwilling till he specifically asked her to hand it over.
This is not to slam Nidhi Razdan and I do not wish her to be trolled for this. But responsible activism among the privileged community (myself Included), begins with sharing space and knowing when to speak, and when to shut up and extend the opportunity for someone else to do so.
I am pleased that Barack Obama chose to address questions from activists and not this privileged individual, and while he may have his own reasons for doing so, I felt respected. Miss Razdan can always tweet to him later from her famous media platform.
Neglected Causes
Among the many important questions asked by a wildly waving audience, Akkai Padmashali’s question to Barack Obama stood out most for its searingly honest, impassioned appeal-slash-question regarding the rights of trans people in India. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Akkai as she proudly identified herself as a trans woman activist, and went on to share her struggles.
If I am considered a criminal because of my identity, how then do I raise my voice?Akkai Padmashali, trans woman activist
There was pin drop silence in the room for a few seconds as the history buffs among us recalled how the former President had expressed his support for same sex marriages during his tenure – would he offer thoughts on the present raging debate concerning the Transgender Rights Bill?
But no such luck – he stuck to the more diplomatic narrative of stating that one’s personal story could and would definitely serve as a base on which a movement or campaign could be developed.
The chance to interact with as impactful a leader as Obama, and the possibilities offered through his foundation, are plenty, and activists of all stripes were privileged to get the opportunity to participate.
With attention to our various difficult and challenging causes in short supply, this well-publicised town hall was a boon. And Obama himself stepping in to amplify the voices that need amplifying – and protecting our space even at the cost of shutting someone else down – was a breath of fresh air.
(The writer is Founder and CEO, ‘1Million Against Abuse’.)
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