This is a response to Gilbert's two recent emails on caste and Goans. I had chosen to ignore the first one, but when fiction is repeated, it deserves a response at least to get some basic facts right.........
Either Gilbert does not think through the issues or ignores the facts or is in haste or his logic does not serve him well. His respones have been pretty lame of late and does not do credit to his ability. 1. I would like to know what HE did to celebrate the Blessed Vaz feast (it is important not to throw stones at others from a glass house). Yes, it was celebrated individually by supporters here (in fact there is a long history of such activity which I do not care to repeat). Additionally, everytime something is done it does not need to be reported in Goan cyberspace and splashed several times across the lists (this is not World Goa Day). As far as the world-wide Goan community and Goan associations are concerned their strings are firmly attached to the Euro-centric, and servient role to colonial history and European saints. If they cannot step out from their second-class past, don't ask me to help. They are a hopeless lot, it is not worth my time to help them. If they do not consider Blessed Vaz worth celebrating - fine. Additionally, I am not President of the Goan Association (I was in 1990-2001). I am active in Goa Sudharop but hardly consider my myself a leader in the Goan community, others are doing a better job. Additionally, Goa Sudharop by its mission is non-religious and non-political (hence you won't see religious or politcal events scheduled and announced). 2. As far as caste goes, Gilbert is again confused (more than his normal confusion). The issue once again is not a lack of funds or lack of Dalit seminarians or whatever bogus issue Gilbert introduces, but the discrimatory practice of the caste system practiced by some in the Catholic church heirarchy and by some laity. He suggested earlier it does not exist because he has not experienced it. This is the same "head in sand" approach as the sex abuse issue by priests. The caste system has to be solved collectively. I have done my bit by pointing it out and I am not willing to do more at this point. It is MY CHOICE how I spend my time and money and sometimes some good causes do not get the attention they deserve. Perhaps Gilbert can pick up the slack. Please don't waste my time having to respond to fairytale emails. I learnt from my experience in 2000 (specifically with respect to the Blessed Vaz issue) that most cybergoans will waste time emailing, rather than actually doing something. I am not willing to go down that path again. The problem with Gilbert and others like him who are defensive about the Church, is they have never had an activist bent, never been in a protest or demonstration or fought for justice. They do not identify or understand some of the injustices that do exist in the Catholic Church or in society at large. It makes them uncomfortable when others point it out. They prefer to sweep it under the carpet or deny it exists. Their response is to hide under the Church skirts and become defensive. Please take time to understand without wasting my time. I do not see my role here as educative. Regards, George --- Gilbert Lawrence <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > GL responds: > Very good questions. Perhaps they need to be answered by those who make > or allege these situations. I was merely suggesting ways these folks > could solve their concerns themselves - Not relying on someone else to > address their distress. Aum appurbaen rautam to hear about the > celebrations of Goans on Jan 16, for the feast of Blessed Joseph Vaz > across the Goan Diaspora. > > Jose Colaco: > What are you suggesting my friend? That there are "lower caste" Catholic > Goans who desire to join the seminary but do not because they cannot > afford it? Is that what you are saying? > > May I ask .... on what basis .....you maketh that statement? Is there a > fee for joining the seminary in Goa? Something new happened while I was > out to dinner? > > "Gilbert Lawrence" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > <No more excuses! Raise the money! > Offer it DIRECTLY TO THE LOWER CASTE CATHOLIC Goans who desire to join > the seminary but cannot afford it. > Let's see if there are any Givers and Takers. > It can't get any simpler.>
