------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * 2007 ANNUAL GOANETTERS MEET - GOA * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHERE: Foodland Cafe - Miramar Residency - Miramar, Goa
WHEN: December 27, 2007 @ 4:30pm
More info:
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2007-December/066098.html
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Victor,
I could not figure out what was your beef in your long reply to me? Perhaps
you used my passing reference to your speech as an entree to write your much
awaited post on caste or casteism. All I can say, your post was not something
that I could take to any psychiatrist for an evaluation.:=)) Is there anything
you said in it, contradict my one and half line reference to your talk? (see
below)
Yours has been one of the more saner post on this topic. Hence, let me use it
to explain, to you and others the difference between caste and CASTEISM, as I
see it. This is a difference, which even you seem to have some difficulty. With
all due respects to you and others, if I simplified the distinction with
examples, it may help.
In South Africa there are the English, Afrikaans, Indians, Muslims, Zulus,
Ndebele, Sepedi, Xhosa, Sesotho, to name a few groups. Each of them have their
centuries-old identity and their individual history. This is totally different
from and has nothing to do with APARTHEID. Doing away with Apartheid does not
involve even remotely doing away with or merging these social groups. And
these groups do not want to loose their own identity of which they are very
proud.
Similarly in America, ending SEGREGATION has nothing to do (even if one wishes)
with denying or ignoring White or African-American culture, history or
identity.
CASTEISM (enhancing one's ego by demeaning another Goan / institution) is
actually a Goan on Goan offence; and has nothing to do with caste. During the
colonial period, Luso-Goans (Catholics and Hindus) with their "aum Portuguese"
attitudes looked down on all the rest, irrespective of their religion or caste.
The same applied (pre- and post-1961) to many with a few nickels in the
pockets, irrespective of religion or caste. We see the same today in the
various diasporas, as reported by some posters. A few on Goanet, persistently
enhance their ego by merely demeaning another Goan / institution. These
Goanetters may hate to admit or recognize their practice; what others have
described as "tinhorn one-up-man-ship."
I hope intellectually you and others can appreciate these two issues are
completely different. Now if you or others cannot appreciate the caste v/s
casteism issues in the Goa context, there is nothing much I can do; nor do I
want to waste my time explaining the difference.
The intriguing question: What is the explanation for the current casteist
behavior? Instead of presenting their own thoughts or writings, why do some
Goanetters try to demean others, by merely zapping what others write?
Some on your side of the debate think, one is anti-casteist by practicing
casteism - enhancing their ego by demeaning another Goan / institution. This
has been described as "cognitive dissonance".
I have provided my explanation why casteism exists. Now you and others, do not
knuckle-down my explanation, unless you have your own explanations. Or else
like Cornel, you can deny it even exists in your backyard.
I need to compliment you that, you reported casteism exist in Portugal. Cornel
repeatedly denied casteism exist in London and UK, where he claims to be an
active community leader. This has been contradicted by others. If you want to
shed some light - instead of heat - perhaps you could explain why the
Luso-Goans have casteism in them?
Kind Regards, GL
------------ Gilbert wrote:
Gabe speaks of CURRENT casteism in UK and Victor speaks of casteism's PRESENT
existence in Portugal. Interesting that Victor gave his speech on casteism in
Portugal and not in Goa.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spread the Christmas Cheer, even when you're not here!
Send classic greetings to your loved ones in Goa.
EXPRESSIONS - 2007 Christmas Hamper
Visit http://www.goa-world.com/expressions/xmas/
Or e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
