Indian Culture
Nov. 15th, 2006 12:26 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
piscesdreamsI have always been interested in other cultures and it is known that India is one of the main ones. India has a history that goes back thousands of years. It is a large country with numerous cultures within among its people and regions. While there is much to admire and celebrate, of course, there are also many atrocities and widespread poverty.
Misogyny and a caste system in Indian society are two injustices that also come to mind. However, I can easily bring to attention innumerable cases involving women who were abused, maimed and/or murdered by "Canadians". Christian belief also teaches that the "man" should be the only head of the household... followed by a woman. However, much of this occurs in much more rural and smaller communities. As India has an immense population and a greater proportion of rural areas, of course there would be more such cases there. And just as in western countries, India's government has attempted to pass and uphold laws to deal with such atrocities but has faced opposition from an ignorant portion of the population.
I would also like to point out that India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and even Pakistan have all had a number of female Prime Ministers/Leaders. In North America, only Canada has had one, Kim Campbell. And she did not even serve for more than half a year.
Yes, there has been a lot of cultural events locally. There are many factors involved. India has been growing economically at a high rate behind China. This enables many Indians to live overseas. As Chinese and Indo-Canadians make up a large part of the population in the Lower Mainland, there will be more visible events related to those cultures. India has about 50 festivals/holidays a year that are celebrated. This would account for the many Indian events. These celebrations are made open to the public and serve to help others learn and further understand Indian culture. Without these events, other cultures would likely view them with suspicion and link all Indo-Canadians with violence and whatever stereotype images they have been limited to.
The other likely reason for an interest for Indian (and Chinese) culture is the fact that the majority of Canadians have been taught and immersed in Canadian and North American history and culture for over ten years. They might be taught about other cultures for about a few months in comparison. It's really no wonder that so many would be so interested in something new and different. I have some friends in parts of the US that do not have any cultural diversity in their society. They have often expressed how they wished they had all these various events and restaurants that are available to those of us who are fortunate to have them.
Personally, I have been discouraged from learning about my Chinese background/heritage when I went to school... either by my peers or the educational system. Near the end of high school, I began to start learning about my own and other cultures. I haven't stopped since. Regretfully, I have lost much of my ability to speak Cantonese and some other dialects my family can speak.
With eastern religions and beliefs, there are some that believe it it the best thing out there. That's not suprising as many followers of any specific religion believe that their's is the best. Religion is a very personal thing that one is drawn to because it feels right for them. And of course, to them... it's the best. The ones who have it right respect this fact and accept others' choices of their belief systems. In my opinion, any religion that teaches compassion and respect for one's surroundings is a good thing.
Misogyny and a caste system in Indian society are two injustices that also come to mind. However, I can easily bring to attention innumerable cases involving women who were abused, maimed and/or murdered by "Canadians". Christian belief also teaches that the "man" should be the only head of the household... followed by a woman. However, much of this occurs in much more rural and smaller communities. As India has an immense population and a greater proportion of rural areas, of course there would be more such cases there. And just as in western countries, India's government has attempted to pass and uphold laws to deal with such atrocities but has faced opposition from an ignorant portion of the population.
I would also like to point out that India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and even Pakistan have all had a number of female Prime Ministers/Leaders. In North America, only Canada has had one, Kim Campbell. And she did not even serve for more than half a year.
Yes, there has been a lot of cultural events locally. There are many factors involved. India has been growing economically at a high rate behind China. This enables many Indians to live overseas. As Chinese and Indo-Canadians make up a large part of the population in the Lower Mainland, there will be more visible events related to those cultures. India has about 50 festivals/holidays a year that are celebrated. This would account for the many Indian events. These celebrations are made open to the public and serve to help others learn and further understand Indian culture. Without these events, other cultures would likely view them with suspicion and link all Indo-Canadians with violence and whatever stereotype images they have been limited to.
The other likely reason for an interest for Indian (and Chinese) culture is the fact that the majority of Canadians have been taught and immersed in Canadian and North American history and culture for over ten years. They might be taught about other cultures for about a few months in comparison. It's really no wonder that so many would be so interested in something new and different. I have some friends in parts of the US that do not have any cultural diversity in their society. They have often expressed how they wished they had all these various events and restaurants that are available to those of us who are fortunate to have them.
Personally, I have been discouraged from learning about my Chinese background/heritage when I went to school... either by my peers or the educational system. Near the end of high school, I began to start learning about my own and other cultures. I haven't stopped since. Regretfully, I have lost much of my ability to speak Cantonese and some other dialects my family can speak.
With eastern religions and beliefs, there are some that believe it it the best thing out there. That's not suprising as many followers of any specific religion believe that their's is the best. Religion is a very personal thing that one is drawn to because it feels right for them. And of course, to them... it's the best. The ones who have it right respect this fact and accept others' choices of their belief systems. In my opinion, any religion that teaches compassion and respect for one's surroundings is a good thing.
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no subject
Date: 2006-11-15 04:32 pm (UTC)It appears that much of our debates about multi-culturalism derives from our perception of what it means. I believe that it is also essential to adopt and integrate into Canadian society. I believe it is important to accept Canadian laws. Many of these cultural events, ethnic specialty services and stores are organised and run by people who are also proud to be Canadians... who take pride in their background and celebrate it.
> It really depends on the person who's "judging". I view Norma the same as I view my Italian-Canadian friend, Nadia. The physical differences are meaningless. They are just two friends of mine. IMO Norma is just as integrated as me or Nadia.
As you have stated, it "depends on the person". Many Canadians of an European backgraound have not had as much as a problem as other visible ethnic groups.
When there have been public reactions to events in other countries... such as wars, violence and terrorism... visible ethnic groups associated with that country have more often viewed with suspicion than with people associated with European countries. The Irish, during the height of IRA activities, and Russians, during the Cold War, have never had to endure what the Japanese, Indian and Middle Eastern populations of Canada had to.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 07:26 am (UTC)I think that's because for the most part the Irish and Russians, to use your examples, didn't bring their problems to Canada - or if they did, didn't make their problems our problems as well. However, between Irish and English - yes there was a lot of suspicion but it just wasn't seen outside of the context of Irish and English social interaction. Almost all Russians in North America were hostile to the Soviet Union, so their loyalty by and large was known. We cannot say the same about Arabs and other islamic types. However I personally feel the deportation of the Japanese was justified under the circumstances.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 07:40 am (UTC)That would mean the same for the Germans and Italians too then.
I believe a better screening process should be established that can bar many suspicious individuals from gaining entry for our present problems.
no subject
Date: 2006-11-17 09:22 am (UTC)