Hi Gilbert I am puzzled by the intensity of your concern for a Goan identity among Goan Diasporeans as illustrated in your post below. Does it really matter that many young people of Goan origin:
a)care little about their ethnic origins especially if they may be third and four generation removed from Goa? They invariably now have identities that are Brazilian, American, Canadian, Australian/NZ, British etc and have partners/spouses and extended families that are not even remotely Goan. So, do you honestly expect them to celebrate 'World Goa Day' when in fact they know about some of the points made below? b) recall with much bitterness how their parents/grandparents recounted being belittled by pretentious 'upper castes' for being of low caste-- instead of being 'permitted' to enjoy normal respect and dignity as human beings? c) are aware from their forefathers about the duplicity of the Catholic Church in Goa in accommodating segregationist caste whilst preaching brotherhood? d) know about caste seating arrangements in churches, and that, certain graveyards were reserved for 'upper castes'. e) That in living memory, the priesthood was reserved for the 'upper castes'. f) that today there are people in Goa and even in the Diaspora who fight for the retention of the evil abomination of caste INSTEAD OF PROVERBIALLY HANGING OUT THEIR HEADS IN SHAME. g) are fully cognisant that casteism is racism that is to be abhorred and expunged from the psyche. h) the arcane legal system in Goa that led many of these diasporeans to lose their ancestral homes/properties? So, my dear Gilbert, all the above arises from my research into caste and the Catholic Goan and I therefore ask if people who share the above sentiments have something to be proud of that you refer to as a "Goan identity"? Is it unreasonable that they may want to entirely forget the Goan lineage that was absolutely of no use to them except to be belittled over some humbug called "caste pedigree"? Further, you choose to berate their intelligent and highly critical folks to perceive your alternative vision that you strangely celebrate but fail to state precisely what it is. I hope you will acknowledge what I have said above and respond to it in a spirit of healthy discussion on Goanet. Kind regards Cornel --- Gilbert Lawrence <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > It does not surprise me that some of these diaspora > Goans, irrespective of their age, have gone over the > edge, in denying the existence of a Goan Identity. > This is not displaying knowledge, despite their > articulate speech or writings. Denying the existence > of a Goan Identity is more displaying ignorance, > which some are hesitant to admit. Clearly, Goan > diaspora associations and parents have a lot of work > to do. It involves, "Less Talk, More Action", and > we could all do without the self-aggrandizement.
