Racism

Tell me what is racism; I am thoroughly confused.

Recently, I was lectured by a friend about my racist comments. The person and I are of the same race. The racist comment I made was a joke about my husband (in front of him), who is of a different race.

My husband's skin color is darker, a fact that is inescapably apparent. It has always been the first feature that my relatives would comment on, that or the nose, followed by urging us to have kids. “Your kids would be sooo cute!” all of them would say.

The joke was, I called my husband a “darkie” and said that I have to keep a flashlight under my pillow in order to see him at night because it’s hard to find him in the dark…

In my mind, there was never a racial overtone but a clearly visible physical attribute. I though of it no different from my grandmother’s story about my grandfather's first reaction after he saw her for the first time. My grandfather said to his mother, after seeing her – “You picked me a dark cloth.” To which my great-grandmother replied, “I picked you a black pearl.” Implying that she is more precious than regular pearl because she is dark. She loved to tell us that story, and I would see the sweetest smile on her face with a hint of shyness. My grandmother lost her husband in her late 40s and never remarried.

What ticked me off more than the accusation that I was a racist is the implication at my husband’s lack of ability to discern and fend for himself – “I don’t know how your husband feels about it but what you said was offensive.”

Hmm… a dark-skinned person (my husband), taunted by a racist (me) and subjected himself to the oppression by marrying the oppressor. Oh, that image makes me angry!

If I didn’t know any better, I would have headed straight to my first confession.

Come to think of it, I’m surprised at my comfort level in talking about skin color. To me it had little associated value; it is a physical trait like tall/short, fat/thin, big feet/small feet… there are levels of desirability attached to these traits based on the shared social norm at a given time and place. To me, those norms are less about race (in many cultures) and more about class.

Speaking from my own experience on my own culture, historically and present, it is generally considered less desirable to be dark. I believe this is the result of being an agricultural society, where the farmers/laborers had to work in the sun resulting in darker and rougher skin. Thus, the color of skin became a telltale sign of one’s social class, hence, my grandfather’s instinctive comment about my grandmother’s appearance. True to form, she proved my great-grandmother proud; she was indeed loving, caring, hardworking; tough as nail and gentler than a dove – a prized black pearl to my grandfather (perhaps a bit sexist over here).

Am I racist? Possibly, depends on how racist is defined and whose definition to consider. I would argue that I am culturally biased (“culturalist” if there is such a word). I, more often than not, make assumptions and would critic, base on cultural and historical background rather then race. This may still be unfair but not the same as being racist. Well, enough about me.

Often, I would hear people, mostly older generation; criticize the African Americans of not “trying harder”. Arguing that their conditions have changed and they have been treated fairly for sometime now, why can’t they get ahead in live? We had also been discriminated against and we work hard to overcome it to prove those racist wrong; why can’t the African Americans do the same? It is worth pointing out that neither race are being treated fairly even now.

Why? I cringe each time someone of my own race would say something like that aloud in public; I would look around and hope that no one had heard us. Then I would began in earnest to try and explain why; I thought about it much, admittedly because I had asked the same questions to myself. Of course, there were never enough time to cover all the reasons why; how they were brought here, not seeking a better live but kidnapped; how the different tribal cultures made it harder to create unity and community initially; what being treated as livestock does to one’s psyche; what, having your children and family members taken away to be auctioned off, would do to one’s sense of family and belonging; how not being able to own your own body would do to self-respect… how despite all these and more, they found the will and the courage to live, what’s more, to love and thrive.

They HAVE “tried harder”, they have made themselves proud; given the first opportunity, they looked for and found their family members, started businesses, formed communities… trying hard and working hard was never a question or of choice; it was just done and the result was prosperity. What this prosperity had brought them however, was not respect. It brought them terror - the rage of the white mob; it brought them boycott, intimidation, harassment, violence and lynching. It brought wholesale persecution and mass exodus; Black-owned businesses were pushed-out and forced to close; Black-owned properties were snatched up with a song; they saw their hard-earned possessions wiped out, just like that! Black slaves were treated like animals for centuries by the whites, “how dare they live better than us and hold their heads high?” It is not difficult to imagine anyone who could treat other human beings as such to committee atrocities without flinch.

I don’t ask the “why” questions anymore but was it racist of me to inquire in the first place?

As I was answering this old lady’s question one day, “Why can’t those Black people just try harder to make themselves proud and to prove the white people wrong? We did it, why can’t they?” her seriousness made an impression. As I was trying to illuminate her with what little I know about the history and condition of African Americans, I was having a hard time placing her as a racist.

It occurred to me to question how we define racism; was the old lady more of a racist, or was my enlightened friend?

The old lady’s question – “I can do it, why can’t you?” indicated that she understood no differences between her experience and that of African Americans, or how there would be intrinsic differences in their reaction to the bias and oppression. The assumption was based on ignorance. The expectation, for the other to do likewise, was based on them being the same.

My enlightened friend’s outrage – my husband should not have been teased by me because he is darker, “you weren’t making fun of white people”, I was told. The implication is that, we being a lighter skinned race should never make fun of dark people. Why not? Is there something wrong with being dark? My husband didn’t think so, nor did I. She was unsure about my husband’s reaction (or the lack thereof) but she had made the call that it was offensive on his behalf anyway. The assumption here again was based on ignorance. The expectation, unfulfilled by my husband, was based on them having the same reaction (indignation on behalf of the dark-skinned people, of which she is not). However, in intervening on his behalf without consultation, his choice was secondary to her perception.

There were little difference between the old lady and my friend except this – the believe in other people’s capacity to do or be as I. Not sure which is more racist but both are ignorant.

Lack of intelligent reporting in Western Media

Here are some excerpts from the latest BBC correspondent Richard Miron's coverage on Israeli settlement.

"Wandering along a nearby dusty path are Palestinian women with heavy loads on their heads...

Their homes and fields sit a few hundred meters from the settlements, but belong to another world.

Some live in shacks covered with plastic roofs. Conditions appear basic and the nearby homes of the settlers look palatial by comparison."

Basic! When is plastic roof on a shack considered basic? A one bathroom house with an eat-in kitchen is what we consider basic! Then he sums up the situation - "Israel, which has been here for almost four decades, appears to have done little to advance their living standards."

Are you kidding me? The Palestinians were displaced from their homes and their land, forcibly! This dimwit seems to be saying that they had always lived in plastic covered shacks and the only wrong Israel has done is the failure to advance their living standards! How stupid is that? What advancement? Five decades of armed occupation resulted in the Palestinians living in such desperate situation.

This part beats any Hindi movie - '"Numerous mortars and missiles have fallen here - over 6,000 in the last four years," he (a settler) says.' WoW! Over 6 thousand mortars and missiles rained down on these 80 settlers in the last four years; that's over 1500 each year! And they only had one wounded person to show the correspondent. Where there 3 million of them before?

An intelligent person would have asked these questions, let alone an international correspondent from a reputable news agency. This is the sad state of Western Media which we have to live with. Little wonder that we collectively chose to side with thugs, thieves and murderers, and indenture ourselves as their slaves.

To read the report http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4094828.stm

WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED - A declaration of Resistance

That's the title of this year (2005)’s Artists Against Rape Performance.

The performance as a whole was powerful however, unassuming. At some point, I was tearful and I noticed that almost everyone seating around me was crying.

Ok, may be they were tearful and I was bawling, can’t tell for sure, everything fogged up.

Anyway, here are some of my favorites:

The Shiva Temple by Sandhya Sood
She has incredible sense of timing. The whole piece was artfully constructed and well performed but I just could not get over her PERFECT timing! She must have been well trained in classical Indian dances. Her gestures, even in the slightest, expressed meaning, sparse and none wasted.

Anyway by Khalil Anthony
His gentle, soothing voice steadfastly plodded along so, ordinary; it draws you in like a cuddle.

No, Stop, Crazy by Staa Jabu
Looking at this silvery haired woman reading her poem, you cannot help but see a ten-year-old – the voice, the tone, the body language… and that bewildered innocence I am sure she still holds.

Fear by Nazbah Tom
It struck me that a poem like this one could only be written by someone who grew up with a ‘circular’ rather than ‘linear’ religion/ philosophy. She did not intellectualize nature, the earth and nature is part of her. It is ingrained in her being; it is the giver, the taker and the preserver of life. Indeed, it is life itself.

The Poem I was Going to Write by Katy Zofia
This young woman took her audience on an emotional rollercoaster ride, albeit a cushy one. Her poetry aside, she is a born performer; her comfort and ease on stage carried us along effortlessly with her swaying… as you being to feel the gentle breeze, she peppered you with a sprinkle of cool reality, still easy, no shock, never any shock. Ok, one shocker, according to the program, she is only 17.

Amalia Alvarez’s poem was empowering; makes you want to jump up and start a movement! =)

Roopa Singh’s Ask Yourself Questions was personal but not private; it was open and honest with universal appeal. Loved it!

Other Performers include Sara Flores, Tamara Rahman, Raven Kaliana, Melissa Rose and Erik Sanchez. All in all, it was beyond my expectations; the performers were remarkably talented.

Indelible human spirit

Went to the Closing Night of an art exhibition - Made in Palestine. Serveral times I was moved to the brink of tears only to be rescued by the strength and determination shown in some of the artworks. Two of them were particularly striking – one was an installation of chocolate silkscreen on glass, titled Blindfolded History by Rana Bishara. I was fixated on this installation, it was at once haunting and transient - snapshots of history and events frozen in time, suspended (literally, in midair) casting shadows reminiscing fragmented past and shattered lives but shadows etched into memory, leaving indelible bloodstained marks.

The second of my favorite is titled Jenin by Abdel Rahmen Al Muzayen; this is a series of prints that I went to for refuge when the emotion became too overwhelming. The medium is ink on paper; not the type of medium that I would usually notice, but the art itself is so embracing that one can’t help but be drawn to it like a child to mother’s bosom. It would be hard for me to describe the symbolism so it is best for you to look it up and see for yourself. They were the most sanguine artworks that I have seen; the defiant optimism in the face of senseless destruction brings such astonishing hope that it is almost euphoric.

As China move towards producing 20% of the world's output, let's hope that it doesn't take on the consuming habit of the world’s largest economy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4337203.stm

New Pope

Hew! What a relief, another Anglo European Cardinal was elected Pope. I was really worried there for a bit.

For some reason, the last couple of days I had this crazy thought that a South American or worst yet an Asian would be appointed the new Pope. I was thinking, they are smart aren't they? Nevertheless, I was counting on their arrogance. Thank God! (ironic)

I was too afraid to even think about it much, less the thoughts might escape and enter an inopportune consciousness. Now I can talk about why anything other than a Caucasian Pope would be bad news, or may be not; I would just say this – Condoleezza Rice. Only, it will be a lot worst than that because it would not only have social ramifications but it could mean cultural eradication!

Alright, may be I’m a little paranoid :)

Seriously though, an Asian Pope would surely inspire and energies Christian Groups in Asia and would likely mean a lot more people converting to Christianity. Which in itself might not be a problem but the fact is, religion in general and Christianity in particular had been used historically to subjugate populations which might be too difficult to contain militarily. As Christianity is a mutually exclusive religion – you are with us or you are against us, it does not comfortably coexist with divergent culture either.

To replace ancient and diverse culture with Judeo-Christian religion would often mean, replacing intricately circular and holistic worldviews with one that is linear, and by definition narrower and more limited view of the world and universe for that matter.

That’s my peeve.

The glorious imperial one party rule!

Why bother with separation of power - that old cumbersome no good for business system? Let all branches of government and all government agencies become expediting, rubber-stamping cheer leaders. We demand 100% approval rate for all nominees! How dare the Democrats stall 10 nominees that see ideologies as more important than law? We must in our democracy push for absolute majority rule, albeit the majority is statistically indeterminate.

No sympathy for the victims unless they are ‘fair’?

Fair skinned that is. Do we use words like coercion, nationalism, “clean up your own house first” kind of statements to label Jewish people when they demanded recognition, apologies and commemorated their suffering during WWII? When they rightfully took to courts and asked for compensation from Euro/American companies, do we say that they have no right because Israel is building settlements on Palestinian land?

I suspect some of the comments on BBC are expressing more of a racial bias then legitimate criticism.

This is like a flashback to the 80s when North Americans painted Japan as this evil empire, when openly anti-Japanese sentiments were widespread because it was an economic threat at the time. Now we are seeing the same sentiments expressed against China. However, I think it goes far deeper then that; the West has always harbored suspicion and hostilities toward China. Aside from the rapid economic growth, there are many historic/cultural/political reasons that are more important in shaping this bias against China or anything Chinese. It will require a thorough and extensive discussion, which will have to be saved for another time.

For those criticizing none-western countries of not having freedom of speech, has anyone paused to think about the media biases, self-censorship and government propaganda in the West? Freedom of speech and freedom of information are most important and are only meaningful when facts are plainly presented and readily available for majority of people to have access. We should look into ourselves to try and figure out why we have such knee-jerk reaction whenever issues related to China comes forth. Is it really so hard to understand the pain and anguish that the Chinese, Korean and other neighboring counties of Japan felt?

Of course Asian countries are worried about Japan joining U.N. Security Council. Japanese officials are still paying annual visits to a shrine that hosts/celebrates war criminals! What would be our reaction if Gerhard Schroeder visits Hitler’s shrine every year and tells us he has only peace in mind?

Please go to this link and write a piece of your mind http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/4436425.stm

History and war crimes

I must admit that I was surprised by the number of Americans critical of the Chinese protests against the newly approved Japanese history ‘altering’ textbooks. They call China’s protests hypocrisy. Their logic seemed to be based on China’s 3 large skeletons - Tibet, Tiananmen and Falun Gong.

It is always interesting to see Americans talk about the hypocrisy of other nations, given that it has one of the most thorough genocide in history against the Natives, and is now an invader and occupier of two foreign nations. How do we square that?

To say China should not criticize Japan is like saying Israel should not condemn Germany, should it decide to alter history and down play its atrocity during WWII, because Israel is having a ‘territorial dispute’ with Palestine. What is naïve and childish is the inability to distinguish invasion, occupation, genocide, state sanctioned abuse and exploitation based on race and gender, from policy failures.

We should, in a separate conversation, talk about Tibet, Tiananmen and Falun Gong just as we should address Native American reservations, reparation to descendents of American slaves, inner city police brutalities, and brutal suppression of anti-war and anti-WTO protesters and oh, let’s not forget Waco.

What we should not do is to confuse issues. Japan should face the truth about its history of brutality against other Asian countries. Germany has done so after WWII so should Japan.

Many of our American friends support Japan’s bid on the U.N. Security Council. Has Japan shown that it deserves the U.N. Security Council seat by supporting every war the west has waged since WWII?

A new begining

This is my first webblog so bear with me.

Every day I read the news and it gets me into an emotional tantrum; sometimes sorrow, sometimes anger, occasional laughter but quite often I find myself in utter disbelief.

Like today, there is the BBC article about South Asian Tsunami sufferers questioning their faith. In the article, it stated examples and figures of how there has been a lost of faith since Dec. 26, 04 – “(a mother) vowed never to set foot in (the church) again,” after her son’s death, and the reduction of 30% to 50% pilgrims visiting the Vailankanni church.

Somehow, I suspect, the need for ‘balance’ kicked in and the correspondent wrote, “Other survivors have reacted quite differently and have come to experience a much deeper sense of spirituality.” I found myself intrigued; how does one find profound sense of spirituality in Christianity amidst such devastation when India has a far deeper and more ancient web of spiritual practices?

I read on, "In the church courtyard it is hard to miss 'One Leg Thomas' as he calls himself, dispensing blessings to penitent pilgrims.” hmm… “Once a trader in the seafront flea-market, his souvenir shack was destroyed, and with it his livelihood… So now he offers to take on people's worries and burdens - a symbolic act involving prayer and the laying-on of hands - for which he expects a donation of between two and five rupees…”

Oh, that kind of “deeper sense of spirituality.”

At some level, all of the western world and increasingly the east subscribe to Christianity, whether or not one actually believes in it. It is in a more subliminal and profound sense that we value it much differently than other religion, mainly religions of non-Anglo nature.

It is usually the case that, if one finds doubt in Christianity, it is considered a relapse, be it temporary or permanent; if one finds doubt in other non-Anglo religion, one has somehow found enlightenment.

In some ways, it is hard for ‘westerners’ (cultural, not race based) to accept that perhaps there is really no deep spiritual base for Christianity in other parts of the world, such as India. We are reluctant or unwilling to face the fact that Christianity had, in its earlier stage, been imposed on to these people through force and, more recently, through coercion and a cultivated sense of supremacy. Yes, white supremacy imposed through force, exploitation and economic dominance.

When covering religion, it would be unwise to ignore the cultural, historical context and our own entrenched biases.

To read the article - Tsunami sufferers question faith
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4382689.stm