Much ado about nothing This is in reference to the edit-page article "Donât blame the Foreigner" by Colin Anders, Herald, February 28,2004, who presumably from the email address given is an Australian National. The article seems more like lamentations of a troubled race-conscious (xenophobic) individual, over-sensitive to use of language that has no specific implications. Idiomatically speaking the term "tourist-infested" by no means blames any particular foreigner, but simply is an adjective to describe a location that is overflowing with tourists. Incidentally, "tourist" is not synonymous with the foreigner, but includes the Indian tourist from outside the state. The writer also refers to an article by a Goan writer and in the process takes a pot-shot at his pseudonym, making it a point to racialize it by saying "A Goan who has Anglicised his name to Tony Martin". While the writer purports to espouse on the cultural diversity in India, he aught to know that: Goans do not deliberately "anglicize" their names, but rather Goan names historically have much similarities to Anglical names. And incidentally the name "Tony Martin" is quite common with other naturally named Goans. In addition according to international patent laws, no one can claim the rights to ownership of a "name" and a human being is free to choose a name of his/her desire, which is part of the universal human rights. As for tourism in Goa, the Goa government as well as the various tourism development agencies has aggressive programs underway to boost tourism, and there is much effort to boost the right kind of tourism. Now, we wouldnât want Goa, in the guise of being a tourism Mecca to be a hideout for the Australian criminal do we? Tourism has come about to be a major "industrial sector", if you will, in Goa. As for the "Hippie" culture, it originated in the 60âs as part of the Vietnam anti-war protest, composed of what were then called the "flower-children" many of who found the isolated beaches of Anjuna a place to hang out. But the "Hippie" culture has long since died away. However the term "Hippie" has stuck on and the locals loosely use it to refer to the low-budget, backpacking tourist with no malice intended. Besides Goans are well aware of their identity as being Goan and at the same time being part of the nation of India and Indian as well, and don't need a lesson on how to be nationalistic from a xenophobic foreigner. The writer seems to be reading too much into nothing at-all and in the process opens a window to his rather race-conscious soul.
Brian Antao __________________________________________________________________ Introducing the New Netscape Internet Service. Only $9.95 a month -- Sign up today at http://isp.netscape.com/register Netscape. Just the Net You Need. ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
