Hi Mayur:
First off, I congratulate you on a finely composed
response.
Next, allow me to get some extraneous matters out of the way so
we can
get back to your original aim of cataloguing the
"--strengths and weaknesses of Assamese people--".
> Whether you accept it or not, academic
discussion sometimes gets stifled under the weight of
>its high sounding words.
*** I am neither an academic nor am I into throwing around
high-sounding words regardless of meaning or context. I am not a
literateur, not a linguist, not a devotee of language purity. For me
language, first and foremost, is a tool for communication. With that
intro. I must say I have no clue about what you write above.
>The first weakness indicated
earlier is nothing but a testimony of my deeply
ingrained belief that whatever is observed in the
relationship between the Assamese speakers and other
>tribal groups is grossly unjust and unacceptable.
*** I am not going to speak here for Utpal, but my reaction to
the
'mainstream'( dominant) and its essential but unspoken
companion/s --
obscure/subordinate -- characterization in the context of
comparing ethnic/ cultural traits is an unacceptable premise at
the get-go; your denial of intent not-withstanding, even though
I believe you completely.
For the same reason Ram's defense of your premise is akin to
comparing apples and oranges. Ram cites his own comfort-level
with his cultural identity being an obscure or sub-ordinate culture to
the 'main-stream' American culture as justification. That is his
choice. But why does a Bodo, or a Mising or a Karbi have to accept
that in the Assam context, which, as I explained earlier, is very
different from the American context.
I failed to understand how Ram's analogy is not
tenable as per you. In American social milieu also,
everyone sees the ghost of the 'past' very frequently
and they can't be brushed aside as sporadic or
isolated occurrences. I think Ram's analogy is fairly
>valid.
**** You mean Latino or African American cultures to be presented
as sub-ordinate or obscure is an acceptable format to compare ethnic
traits in the USA? You gotta be kidding me. Where did you learn that?
Would Ram, as a long time US resident, propose that or support that? I
think not.
>The very fact that you are attributing some traits to
the people of Haryana goes a long way to show that you
also probably suffer from the same syndrome which you
are consciously trying to dilute or should I say
demolish.
**** I don't go about judging or labeling whole groups of people
from the actions of a few. I know it is a common cultural habit
among Indians to do so, including the Oxomiyas. But it is a
simple-minded trait, an unsophisticated one. I made my comment
in light of your making an issue of it. Obviously you
spoke of it because it made you you uncomfortable or ashamed. I
just provided you with a suggested rebuttal, an antidote.
But now I see that you really don't want to use my antidote to
your feeling of discomfort. That is fine. But do you believe that
those Haryanis are right in their perception? If they are wrong,
what do you plan to counter it with?
>I am startled by your argument that to see something
>good in others signify your insecurity vis a vis them.
**** I made such an argument? That is news to me. Care to explain
how you came to that conclusion?
>Going by that logic, a secure individual is one who
>always criticises others.
**** Nothing can be farther from the truth. However to embark on
a mission to to catalogue Oxomiya ethnic shortcomings--or assigning
labels on the basis of a few examples ( the 'lahe'-lahe' epithet for
example) as a reaction to others' ignorant generalized view (as those
Haryanis for instance) implies what?
I can't think of anything other than your own insecurity. But I
will stand corrected when you proffer a better explanation.
>Misconception about NE is so well
entrenched in people's minds that, to dispel it fully
is a herculean task. I sincerely believe that given a
chance, one should try to demolish those
>misconceptions.
**** I agree with you. But how is your cataloguing effort going
to assist you on this?
>I am afraid I have a very strong view.
I am aware of my shortcomings. I do try to rectify
them sometimes. But never ever I let those weaknesses
to give a feeling of inferiority complex vis a vis
>others.
**** That's my man! A kharkhowa after my own heart. All power to
you!
>----you can't wish away benchmark to judge
>them.
**** On the contrary I was only emphasizing the need for that
benchmark, which by definition has to be definable and/or
quantifiable. Unfortunately the benchmark you were going to use--other
peoples of India-- is an undefinable one. A highly nebulous one. The
rubber-scale of architects. I was challenging you to be able to define
your benchmark. And the challenge still stands.
I will give you a little clue here: I am not one to go about
challenging people, unless I know I have solid grounds to stand on. So
go at it my friend. Prove your mettle. Define your benchmark, and I
promise to assist you with all the deep dark shortcomings of your
people and mine, the kharkhowas. And trust me, I know a whole lot more
than you can imagine. In fact, when I get done, you will probably
start calling me a traitor to my race, which so many netigens have in
the past.
But something tells me I won't have to spill that kharkhowa
blood.
>you feel that LIGHTING A CANDLE IS HUNDRED TIMES
BETTER THAN CURSING THE DARKNESS ?
**** Count me in on your side on that, any day! But I have
trouble with the philosophical stuff. Anything more than the
bumper-sticker kind that is.
Take care. Again, you did a fine job of coming out swinging and I
hope you will continue to do that.
cm :-) :-) :-)
At 10:53 AM -0700 9/15/05, mayur bora wrote:
Hi Mr Mahanta Da
Thanks for intensifying the academic orientation of
the debate. Whether you accept it or not, academic
discussion sometimes gets stifled under the weight of
its high sounding words. The first weakness indicated
earlier is nothing but a testimony of my deeply
ingrained belief that whatever is observed in the
relationship between the Assamese speakers and other
tribal groups is grossly unjust and unacceptable. So
there can't be any question of any conscious effort to
perpetuate the hegemony of the 'mainstream' over the
'sub streams'. The fact that it was indicated by
someone belonging to the so called 'mainstream' as one
of the weaknesses is proof enough that the person does
now want any perpetuation, rather what he craves for
is ruthless dismantling of that pernicious tendency.
I failed to understand how Ram's analogy is not
tenable as per you. In American social milieu also,
everyone sees the ghost of the 'past' very frequently
and they can't be brushed aside as sporadic or
isolated occurrences. I think Ram's analogy is fairly
valid.
The very fact that you are attributing some traits to
the people of Haryana goes a long way to show that you
also probably suffer from the same syndrome which you
are consciously trying to dilute or should I say
demolish.
I am startled by your argument that to see something
good in others signify your insecurity vis a vis them.
Going by that logic, a secure individual is one who
always criticises others. That is perhaps the easiest
job in this world. You show a beautiful flower or a
bird to a pathological 'critic'. He will point out 100
minus points in it. Misconception about NE is so well
entrenched in people's minds that, to dispel it fully
is a herculean task. I sincerely believe that given a
chance, one should try to demolish those
misconceptions. That of course does not mean that it
should become be all and end all of life. As regards
my insecurity, I am afraid I have a very strong view.
I am aware of my shortcomings. I do try to rectify
them sometimes. But never ever I let those weaknesses
to give a feeling of inferiority complex vis a vis
others.
I was harping on one point from my first mail that
everything is relative in this world. When everything
is relative, you can't wish away benchmark to judge
them. Benchmark will remain whether we like it or not.
Otherwise many charms of the world will vanish.
My view is that let us give some attention to the
practical aspect of the debate so that loser's pursuit
can be tranformed into a winner's destination. Don't
you feel that LIGHTING A CANDLE IS HUNDRED TIMES
BETTER THAN CURSING THE DARKNESS ?
But thank you Mahanta da for your perspective on the
issue. Would be looking forward to more of it.
regards
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