I have been in the U.S for 5 yrs now and am in the U.S Air Force. All this time i have never had any discrimination, except for one time in high school when a kid called me Osama and then i knocked his teeth in. I did get suspended but the point being that it is how you let other people treat you. Even in high school we had our own table during lunch and would never let any white boy sit with us. But that wasn't the case when i got here first and looked at white people in awe coz of my indian mentality. This definetely has to change in India only after which will we get more respect from foreigners in India.
I do not see any degrading or discrimination here. In fact the Americans crew also can say the same thing, that they are being discriminated by not allowing to eat with Indian crew. Eating on top floor or bottom floor does not cause discrimination. In fact bottom floor has easy access to food compared to top floor (food comes there first, kitchen is also near). When eating styles of people are different, there is no reason to put different people in one place. That will create unpleasant experience. Built in inferiority complex that desis have, is somehow giving vent in such articles causing other similar desis to vent their inferiority complex. Instead of being proud of being an Indian, these people themselves feel shameful of being Indian.
There maybe different factors in this case {if we forget for a while the Indian brotherhood level discrimination); some of the factor's maybe: 1. Cutting expense by the film's producer(s) 2. Terms of the agreement for hiring the Indian crew. 3. Some low life likes these high profile discriminations to show who are the VIPs.
But finally, its us, if we don't learn to be nice to each others {like Iranian or Turks are to each other) why to blame these visitors? Thats a universal rule and it applies to all. I have seen that amongst South American/Latinos as well-they get over excited when the come across wealthy Europeans/Americans especially whites; sometimes they behave very badly -even as untouchables with wealthy blacks-African Americans, which even Rev Jesse Jackson once complained off after visiting Mexico. Lets not make it a big deal-after all we need the hard cash flow from any visitor. Lets teach our kids, to start with, how to be nice and respectful to a fellow Indian. Also I think Indians take each other for granted. That will change, as the society is becoming more and more influences by money culture and straight talking. -From New York
I have honestly come to believe that one of the reasons why indians are treated shabbiliy at times is because we LET people treat us that way... or worse expect it. There is a reason why this film is being shot in Pune/India and not downtown Karachi. India has a good film infrastructure and other servicies, we should try our best to attract business from abroad, but once they are here, it should be made clear that all the people there are professionals regardless of their skin color. At the same time, we also have to mend our own ways. If a foreigner sees how a common housewife treats her 4 servants, they think it is normal behavior. Unless we give respect to our own labor and help, it is ridiculous to expect it from anyone else.
RE:inferiority complex
by Jagan on Oct 13, 2006 08:13 PM
I agree.
India has a real problem with accepting and appreciating the dignity of labor and so when people form outside see this they pass it on to us. Then our pride gets pricked when it comes back at us.
One reason may be that Indian food is spicy. Second may be that the mannerisms (like how to eat, spoon or hand, use paper napkins or cloth napkins, wash hands with water or not, use bottled drinking water or tap water) are different for Americans and Indians. Furthermore there are social reasons. Many Indian crew members may feel too awkward to eat along with Americans, same vice versa. If 2 people sit side by side for a meal, unless they talk (about some common subjects), the meal may be an awkward experience for both. So by separating foreign crew and Indian crew for lunch may do good for both parties.
It is our own mistake that we see the westerners in so much awe that they start feeling superior to us Indians. Just look at the hype and publicity being given to this couple. Does the media not have better things to report? Why dont they just leave the couple alone and get back to more sensible things.
After travelling the world. Nowhere does an Indian feel more discriminated than in his own nation. Shouldnt it be the other way around. I relate it to our low self esteem and high regard for white skin and our caste system. The mentality ingrained in us through our history books and our quest to be fair and lovely.The title of beauty and supremacy associated with fair skin is still prevalent in our society.
big deal...aren't we the same indians who make servants sit on the floor and eat separately, and treat menial laborers poorly? Indians are pretty big racists....so get over it.
Some one mentioned in the news piece about spicy vs non-spicy food that is spicy is in our plate it is not everybody is sharing that. The one thing that can be explicit is indians eat their food using the hands directly and also licking their finger as well. That is not the case for the foreign crew, may be the reason indian crew are taking downstairs is because they are not comfortable taking the food using spoon/fork or the foreign crew not comfortable watching us eat using our hands.
