Title: Are we cursed? By: Cyprian Fernandes Source: Goan Voice UK Daily Newsletter 31 July 2011 at www.goanvoice.org.uk
When it comes to Goans, not necessarily Goa, everyone it seems is an expert. Me included. But I am embarrassed and absolutely astounded by Goans on internet forums. Some of the comments, jibes, stabs are pathetic, and always a waste of trees. As Goans we are renowned at fighting each other and the Net has made it that much easier. No respect by people who have not been to that place where they dish out portions of shame. In this day and age I thought we were better than that: more tolerant, discreet, understanding, caring and value when things are left better unsaid. The Net forums are often becoming corridors of euthanasia: suicide of clear thinking, or death by ego. OK I was born and raised in Africa and I learnt this week (again) that Goans born in that continent think of themselves superior to Goans born in the sub-continent in the same way as Goans think they are different to all Indians and seek special privileges. Why? The question may have been raised at a post London Goan Convention press conference last week (unconfirmed) but the conveyor of that information was so outraged that had she or he been present, the unfortunate Indian journo would have received his come-uppance for asking such a rude a question. Come on people, get your heads out of the sand, we have been doing exactly that for decades and everywhere around the world. When many around the world refer to Goans, they talk about the minority Catholic variety. The historical mind-set is that only Catholic Goans are the true Goans. Rubbish. I would not be surprised if the Hindu majority has been imagined out of existence by denial. Goans are good at that, denial. Once the euphoria has died down and cool heads analyse the London Global Convention then the true value of the event will be gauged. From the little that I have read, I have my doubts. For example, I don't know why it should need a convention to tell Goans to "assert Goan solidarity." Surely we are mature and intelligent enough to do so ourselves? Silly I thought, urging Goans to unite. Was it an exercise in choosing pathos, as in spin by Dr Pathos? Or is it because we know we are cursed with the gene of disunity and seeking Goan unity is an exercise in futility. At stake is the complete obliteration of Goa as generations have known it: thousands of outsiders are buying illegally built homes and units (the big Goan sell-out, the money is great, why not?) which means more and more Goans of every ilk will have to move out of their motherland. it won't be their country anymore, they won't recognise anyone. And people who will populate Goa will be the wealthy from every corner of India. The quiet, laid back, susegaad Goa of yesterday will be but a dim memory. If outsiders have not driven out the indigenous people, then the environmental destruction surely will. How can we unite when we cannot tolerate each other (not even in print) let alone other Indians, other people? Were we really brainwashed by the Portuguese to think that we were better than other wheatish, brown-skinned, dark-skinned people? Some Goans in the UK find it difficult even to tolerate the poor souls from Swindon. I suspect that the majority of the Goan diaspora will think the messenger of the "assert Goan solidarity" message a complete twit (a mild English colloquial descriptive). I think to myself sometimes we are indeed cursed, are we? We can't be. The Catholics are God's chosen people, just ask the Portuguese! Comments to [email protected] Check out his website http://cyprianfernandes.blogspot.com
