Fred, Since you are playing devil's advocate, let me play angel's advocate.
1. Why is the mention of workers in the field versus Altinho residents biased in itself? Don't some people in Goa work in the fields and generally live in the villages, while others more affluent live in Altinho? Have we come to a point of "political correctness" where simple and obvious statements of fact are considered biased? 2. While the language in the second example is perhaps stronger than necessary it reflects Gabriel's disgust at the perceived attempt to obfuscate the attempt to stamp out the caste system among Goan Catholics by introducing various red herrings that have no relevence to what is being attempted. 3. What about Gabriel's point, that everyone, regardless of whom they are, should be treated with respect, is so hard to understand without nit-picking and over-analysing his phrases? --- "Frederick Noronha (FN)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Just to play devil's advocate, this stand would seem > to be biased in > itself. "If they work in the fields" and "owning a > house in prime Altinho" > would have certain caste connotations. Or wouldn't > it? > > It shows how deeply influenced our minds are by a > reality like caste, even > if we say otherwise. > > Would the following statement would be equally > acceptable: "Why bother if > you're trying to fight the bias about caste? I've > had enough of this > nonsense. Respect everyone, no matter if they slog > away for a living in > the fields (and produce food for everyone else too!) > or if they continue > to just be parasites and live off the work of > others...." > > Of course, nothing contained above is targeted at > Gabriel, but rather just > meant for the purpose of debate... FN > > >Why bother if you're trying to educate people > against > >casteism? I've had enough of this nonsense. > >Respect everyone, no matter if they work in the > fields > >or own a house in prime Altinho. I learnt this > early > >on from my father, who showed a great deal of > respect > >to his musicians. And I try to follow his example. > >Cheers, > >Gabriel de Figueiredo. > >Melbourne - Australia. > > > *********************************************************************** > * G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * > F * I * E * D * S * > *********************************************************************** > Greet your loved ones in Goa with flowers! > > http://www.goa-world.com/goa/expressions/ > EXPRESSIONS - The Flower Shop. World famous all over > Goa! > *********************************************************************** > *********************************************************************** * G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * *********************************************************************** Greet your loved ones in Goa with flowers! http://www.goa-world.com/goa/expressions/ EXPRESSIONS - The Flower Shop. World famous all over Goa! ***********************************************************************
