Please clarify: are you suggesting that being “quasi-muslim” is a “less than ideal” aspect of the desi identity?

You almost sound as if you are trolling, because it’s difficult for me to think that people are so unclear on the concept. Racism is less than ideal. Freaking out over Muslims is less than ideal. If people want to bury their heads in their asses about how a non-trivial number of desis hold negative views about other minorities or religious groups, I’d suggest they do that elsewhere. We’ve always tried to honestly examine the good and the bad.

You know, I came thisclose to not posting this, because I neither need nor want bullshit. More than a few of you wrote me privately to say “omg, my parents are the same way…but i’d never admit it…lol…”. Well, I admitted it, because I wanted a sincere conversation about what we often prefer to hide. And my wanting that doesn’t mean I accept or enjoy the now-deleted, insulting comments about my family (which they don’t deserve, since I am the one who put this out there) or the gleeful field-day certain people are having about having proof that Sepia Mutiny hates Muslims.

I wish those of you who are doing that– tarring us with the anti-Muslim brush– would get together with the Modi-loving ingrates who think we are pro-Muslims. We get daily complaints about being excessively positive towards Islam. Do you understand the stupidity of this all? While some of you now think SM is mean to Muslims, an equal, if not greater number of peole think we are mean to Hindus, and that we shamelessly coddle Muslims, as Kashmiris cry at our insensitivity.

We don’t hate, love or coddle anyone, got that? I’ve had it with the stupidity.

<

blockquote>64 · sofia said

eeehhh….really? I’m a paki/muslim lurker, and always felt welcome here before……

You are still welcome. Anyone with a sense of humor is. Examining the less than ideal aspects of desi identity doesn’t make us hateful, it makes us honest.

Please clarify: are you suggesting that being “quasi-muslim” is a “less than ideal” aspect of the desi identity?

Sorry, I screwed up the formatting on #70 — the first non-quoted paragraph is quoted from the earlier post.

Fixed.

<

blockquote>66 · Chicagodesigirl said

Indians of California: Your Illinois brethren are really disappointed in you for electing such a scheister. I know we desis love the political dynasties, but give me a damn break. Leave the dirty tricks to the motherland and elect someone honest for once.

Do you really think this comment is either fair or prodctive? Your opinions and choices are just as valid as anyone else’s, but in your imperiousness, you forgot that the converse is true; the opinions and choices of those you disagree with are also valid. Give everyone a damned break from your “disappointment”.

To add to the intern’s response, another problem with chicagodesigirl’s post is that it goes against Obama’s own philosophy. One of the reasons he is as popular as he is among independents and even some Republicans is that he is able to disagree with them on issues without presuming bad faith or their part. We can disagree with each other without demonizing those with whom we disagree — this is one of the main reasons for Obama’s appeal in red and purple states.

I have my issues with Hillary, but I don’t presume that the people who support her don’t have good reasons for supporting her. And the same goes for all the “Obama supporters are buying into his substance-free hype” sentiments — again, I think it would behoove those posters not to assume that us Obama supporters don’t have good reasons to support our candidate of choice.

Indians of California: Your Illinois brethren are really disappointed in you for electing such a scheister. I know we desis love the political dynasties, but give me a damn break. Leave the dirty tricks to the motherland and elect someone honest for once.

Do you really think this comment is either fair or prodctive? Your opinions and choices are just as valid as anyone else’s, but in your imperiousness, you forgot that the converse is true; the opinions and choices of those you disagree with are also valid. Give everyone a damned break from your “disappointment”.

wha? But I thought you were a brown Cliff Claven, black socks and all…?

Anna,

I used to be called a “Chatti thalayan” for my round head, Kinda’ like a brown George Costanza with a little more hair. I guess being tough is relative…..some ways I am tough, other ways a softie.

But no head butting for me after a touchdown!

eeehhh….really? I’m a paki/muslim lurker, and always felt welcome here before……

You are still welcome. Anyone with a sense of humor is. Examining the less than ideal aspects of desi identity doesn’t make us hateful, it makes us honest.