Someone, trying to cause consternation among the hens or the hen in the
coop huh ?
I did not read posts on this subject after the initial query from Selma. And
when I did read a post, I was surprised how far the posts have strayed from the
original scholarly query.
Why question E.A. Goans about their motives to emigrate from Goa ? A wide
spectrum of
Goans migrated to East Africa for better economic prospects. I know I did in
1959. From a
salary of Rs. 100/- a month in Bombay I started earning Shs. 347/50 per month
as a clerk in Tanganyika. A quantum jump, even with the differential in living
costs.. I am sure all the
Goans (predominantly Catholic) who migrated to the British colonies, did so for
economic reasons and not to escape Caste discrimination.
In Tanganyika, and I am sure the same was true in Kenya, Uganda and Zanzibar,
Goans brought all their hangups with them. Not only was there discrimation
based on Caste, but also on profession, with Mechanics and Tailors being on the
lowest rung and I dare say,
treated as secondclass among Goan society. Education was the great leveller,
and
continues to be the great leveller. Caste is history. But memories die hard,
The Caste discrimination that some suffered was extremely painful. I
understand that. The sooner we put those past prejudices behind us, the better
off we will all be. Perhaps easier said than
done. In Colonial society all brown-skinned people were discriminated against.
We got
and education and turned the tables on our colonizers. Lets look forward and
ignore the dinosaurs among us who live in the past.
Getting back to Selma's original query....where do we stand ?
Vivian
