In the Namesake, several characters are faced with a culture clash. The novel demonstrates how the characters such as Ashima were obligated to adapt to a new surrounding. Ashima was used to the culture of her origin, which was in India. Therefore, living in the states was very hard for her. It was not only a matter of adapting to a new place far away from her family, but also to adapt to new food, a new language, a new way of dressing, a new culture, etc. For instance, she did not like the taste of plain cereal and added ingredients such as lemon juice, salt, onions, chili peppers, etc. Also, she was embarrassed in the hospital because her sari was not long enough. She also felt uncomfortable when all of the nurses were around her, although it was a normal procedure for labor.
Another person that had problems with the culture clash was Gogol Ganguli. Although he was born in America, it was difficult to identify himself as either Indian or American. He lived in American so therefore he was obviously going to be influenced by the culture of America. However, his parents could not accept the fact that he was not doing everything the Bengali way. Gogol wanted to change his name, because he wanted a name that would mean something to him or represent his American side. Eventually, he changed his name. In my opinion, this was truly disappointing. He did not have to do everything the Bengali way; however, his name was his identity. No one should feel as though changing themselves will help them be accepted or fit in with a certain culture. Gogol should have always stayed as Gogol. He did not value his origin. Unfortunately, he would come to realize this when it was too late.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Prompt #5: Overt and Covert Racism
The reason why the narrator of the documentary, Scott Van Pelt, feels that racism is so prevalent in Europe today is because Europeans are not used to seeing people of color in their country. In other words, Europe is predominantly white. Unfortunately, this common act of racism has affected soccer, the most popular sport played not only in Europe but internationally as well. Soccer, as mentioned in the video clip, has indeed become a beautiful game turned ugly. It is incredible how such amazing soccer players such as Carlos Kameni and Marc Zoro are faced with bigotry and insulting comments just because of the color of their skin. The fact that fans are so cold-hearted enough to throw bananas at them while calling them monkeys is heartbreaking to me; I feel so impotent, not being able to stand on that field to help fight back against racism. It is frustrating to know that Europeans find racism to be normal, when I find it to be a crime.
It is understandable that people from different countries have a different mindset than Americans do today; however, we are in the 21st century and people should be way past racism and prejudice acts. We are all people whether we are dark-skinned or light-skinned. Moreover, there are bad people in every country worldwide. Whites, blacks, and tanned people can all be criminals. Why have a stereotype of blacks only? I strongly believe that the European Soccer League and the European government should take strong measures in order to put a stop to these harsh acts. Some people, like one of Italy's teams, have already started acting against these problems. However, Italy's anti-racism shirts that say "Uniti Contro Il Razzismo" are only a small step in the process to stop racism.
Furthermore, in the other video clip, there are two possible reasons why so many people were ambivalent or going along with the rude cashier at Dunk n Donuts: either they were scared to speak out and fight for their rights, or the "covert" racists felt support from the rude cashier and were no longer ashamed to ridicule a human being because of the color of their skin or their place of origin. The actions of the cashier are definitely racists. He refused to serve customers because of their broken-English and because they were Mexicans. In the video clip, he told them to get back into their pick-up truck and that this country was building walls to keep them out. Although the day laborers were also actors, the words of the cashier must have hurt them profoundly.
Moreover, although racism is not very popular in the United States today, we can not ignore the fact that it does exist; strong measures must be taken to solve this dilemma. My sister and I experienced a racial act during the presidential election day in November 2008. We were exiting the North Bergen library after voting when a racist white male harassed us demanding to know who we voted for. Obviously, I did not answer but my sister's mistake was that she did. This guy immediately started shouting, "Why would you vote for a terrorist? You f****** Hispanics". Comments like these are sad to see and truly upset me. We should do something to stop these prejudice acts and preconceived notions of others due to the color of their skin, origin, culture, religion, etc.
It is understandable that people from different countries have a different mindset than Americans do today; however, we are in the 21st century and people should be way past racism and prejudice acts. We are all people whether we are dark-skinned or light-skinned. Moreover, there are bad people in every country worldwide. Whites, blacks, and tanned people can all be criminals. Why have a stereotype of blacks only? I strongly believe that the European Soccer League and the European government should take strong measures in order to put a stop to these harsh acts. Some people, like one of Italy's teams, have already started acting against these problems. However, Italy's anti-racism shirts that say "Uniti Contro Il Razzismo" are only a small step in the process to stop racism.
Furthermore, in the other video clip, there are two possible reasons why so many people were ambivalent or going along with the rude cashier at Dunk n Donuts: either they were scared to speak out and fight for their rights, or the "covert" racists felt support from the rude cashier and were no longer ashamed to ridicule a human being because of the color of their skin or their place of origin. The actions of the cashier are definitely racists. He refused to serve customers because of their broken-English and because they were Mexicans. In the video clip, he told them to get back into their pick-up truck and that this country was building walls to keep them out. Although the day laborers were also actors, the words of the cashier must have hurt them profoundly.
Moreover, although racism is not very popular in the United States today, we can not ignore the fact that it does exist; strong measures must be taken to solve this dilemma. My sister and I experienced a racial act during the presidential election day in November 2008. We were exiting the North Bergen library after voting when a racist white male harassed us demanding to know who we voted for. Obviously, I did not answer but my sister's mistake was that she did. This guy immediately started shouting, "Why would you vote for a terrorist? You f****** Hispanics". Comments like these are sad to see and truly upset me. We should do something to stop these prejudice acts and preconceived notions of others due to the color of their skin, origin, culture, religion, etc.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Prompt #4: That's Entertainment!
As mentioned by Professor Jack Shaheen in the second video clip, Hollywood has for years created images of the "other". As a result, the viewers also create an image of the "other" by watching these films. "We are all image makers," Shaheen pointed out. In many films, different cultures and people are ridiculed. The viewers, of course, enjoy these films and laugh. At the moment the viewers might think that the purpose of these films is to entertain; however, there is a second intention to why these films are made. Hollywood is creating stereotypes and racism through these films.
Furthermore, in the video clips both Africans and Arabs are being portrayed in a negative way. The first video, for example, is a comedy. The viewers, including myself, laugh at some point in the clip. When I watched it, I immediately noticed how the people of color are made fun of for their physical characteristics. They are portrayed as having big lips, an elongated neck, for being slaves, working on the fields while picking cotton, eating watermelons, being from the "south", etc. Also, the clip shows two pretty, clean dogs but after two bombs exploded, they are portrayed as being ugly and black. Although the clips are funny to the viewers, Africans are being portrayed in a negative way and it is because of the way that Hollywood creates images of the "other". Unfortunately, the sad reality is that comedy sells and Hollywood is forced to create these images to make money.
The second film explains how Arabs have been vilified by Hollywood. Throughout the past century, Arabs have been portrayed as being hateful and cruel and are continually shown handling bombs and guns. To make their image worse, they are depicted as being suicidal terrorists. Professor Shaheen also mentions how "Arab land" is a fictional setting where Hollywood always starts with the desert as a threatening place, an oasis is added, there is a palace with a torture chamber in the basement, and snakes are being programmed in and out of baskets. Men are also portrayed as being very possessive of their women. For example, in the movie Sahara, an Arab is forcing a woman to strip her clothes off. In several other movies, women are continuously shown belly dancing, seducing their men, as if they were not useful for something else. However, Arab women are very bright and intelligent. They do succeed in many professions, but instead they are viewed as sensual belly dancers. All of these images contribute to the negative image that we have of the Arabs and it is ethically wrong. Instead of allowing people of different cultures judge the "other" from personal experience, Hollywood is causing viewers to build a negative image of the "other" from what they view on the television screen.
We are all an "other" to everybody else; therefore, we should not judge or have preconceived notions of people who are different from us, have been raised in a different culture and in a different way than we have. Everyone has different beliefs. Individuality is the beautiful thing about the world. Be different and learn from one another; that is the idea! Furthermore, Edward Said's main points in Orientalism are also shown in these video clips. People have for centuries become accustomed to "othering" or creating an image of others. Just like people have preconceived notions of Arabs and Africans, it also occurs with Asians, Colombians, Mexicans, Cubans, Europeans, Americans, etc.
Furthermore, in the video clips both Africans and Arabs are being portrayed in a negative way. The first video, for example, is a comedy. The viewers, including myself, laugh at some point in the clip. When I watched it, I immediately noticed how the people of color are made fun of for their physical characteristics. They are portrayed as having big lips, an elongated neck, for being slaves, working on the fields while picking cotton, eating watermelons, being from the "south", etc. Also, the clip shows two pretty, clean dogs but after two bombs exploded, they are portrayed as being ugly and black. Although the clips are funny to the viewers, Africans are being portrayed in a negative way and it is because of the way that Hollywood creates images of the "other". Unfortunately, the sad reality is that comedy sells and Hollywood is forced to create these images to make money.
The second film explains how Arabs have been vilified by Hollywood. Throughout the past century, Arabs have been portrayed as being hateful and cruel and are continually shown handling bombs and guns. To make their image worse, they are depicted as being suicidal terrorists. Professor Shaheen also mentions how "Arab land" is a fictional setting where Hollywood always starts with the desert as a threatening place, an oasis is added, there is a palace with a torture chamber in the basement, and snakes are being programmed in and out of baskets. Men are also portrayed as being very possessive of their women. For example, in the movie Sahara, an Arab is forcing a woman to strip her clothes off. In several other movies, women are continuously shown belly dancing, seducing their men, as if they were not useful for something else. However, Arab women are very bright and intelligent. They do succeed in many professions, but instead they are viewed as sensual belly dancers. All of these images contribute to the negative image that we have of the Arabs and it is ethically wrong. Instead of allowing people of different cultures judge the "other" from personal experience, Hollywood is causing viewers to build a negative image of the "other" from what they view on the television screen.
We are all an "other" to everybody else; therefore, we should not judge or have preconceived notions of people who are different from us, have been raised in a different culture and in a different way than we have. Everyone has different beliefs. Individuality is the beautiful thing about the world. Be different and learn from one another; that is the idea! Furthermore, Edward Said's main points in Orientalism are also shown in these video clips. People have for centuries become accustomed to "othering" or creating an image of others. Just like people have preconceived notions of Arabs and Africans, it also occurs with Asians, Colombians, Mexicans, Cubans, Europeans, Americans, etc.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Prompt #3: Orientalism . . . . . Borientalism . . . .
Edward Said addresses how many people take practice in "othering", which is creating an image of others. He also argues of the depiction or portrayal of others through the media. This depiction of a certain group of people, culture, or country by "othering" is extremely bad because it interferes with people truly getting to know each other. In other words, "it gives one a preconceived notion of a place, its inhabitants and its culture". For example, people sometimes have a preconceived notion of me since I am from Colombia. People assume that all Colombians smoke or sell marijuana or cocaine. This assumption really gets me angry! I dislike the way that Colombians are portrayed in the Media; viewers are forced to believe that all or most Colombians deal with drugs, narcotics, or the black market. Obviously, this is not true. Colombia did have huge problems with drugs several years ago when Pablo Escobar (the Colombian drug lord) was practically controlling Colombia; however, Colombia is a different country today. I am not justifying what occurred in Colombia nor am I saying that drugs are not used there today, but it is certainly a much cleaner and safer country. Also, people tend to accuse or think of Colombia as being a drug country, but drugs exist worldwide and they are used illegally a lot in the United States too. In addition, I am proud of saying that I am Colombian and that I have never and do not intend on having drugs in my life. I am against the use of drugs.
People of "color" are often judged before speaking with as well. Hollywood is, for many reasons, the blame for this. In many movies, people of "color" are portrayed as being violent, and committing many crimes such as rape, murder, and burglary. For example, one of my grandmothers who was very light-skinned was very prejudice against colored people because of how they were depicted through the media during her lifetime. However, from personal experience, I know that not all people of color are violent. Instead, I have many African-American friends who are very sweet. Again, just like with drugs, violence can not be related to just one specific race, culture, or country; it exists worldwide.
A preconceived notion that many people have of Mexicans in the United States is that they are short, ugly, perverted immigrants who live in a two-room apartment with thirteen other roommates. It sounds very harsh; however, the sad reality is that many people do say this about Mexicans. Mexicans are hardworking immigrants who migrate to the United States to better their lives, but unfortunately they are ridiculed by the majority of the remaining population. These preconceived notions of people are also given to people from Afghanistan and India. For example, people from Afghanistan are portrayed as terrorists while Indians are portrayed as having bad odor.
These preconceived notions all originate from the Media, whether it is art, televison, or film. This is not a good idea for one to carry with them throughout their lives. For instance, one might expect something out of a person just by judging them from their identity or culture. This creates false expectations. Not everyone is the same. Although people that come from the same country are similar in numerous ways or follow the same traditions, it does not mean that their characteristics or actions are the same.
Prompt #2: What's in a name?
It is funny how many people consider a name to be so unimportant while it is actually a major and significant detail in people's lives. Names are sometimes given to show the history, language, and culture of a person's origin and to symbolize character and importance. Moreover, names are strongly influenced by culture in many countries. However, in some countries people are more variable on giving names.
Since I was born and raised in the United States, many Americans whom I acquiant with might not know the origin of my name. However, my name, Sandra Milena, does help define who I am. For many, Sandra might not mean anything special or be tied to a culture or language. However, when a Colombian hears Sandra Milena, they will find the name to be very familiar, especially since it is the most common female name in our country. Sandra Milena just like Maria Camila, Maria Alejandra, Paula Andrea, Juan Esteban, Carlos Fernando, Daniel Mauricio, Andres Felipe, Nicolas Antonio are all common names of Colombia. It is very rare for someone to not have a middle name. These names, when pronounced in another language such as English, might sound weird or might not flow properly; however, these sound quite pleasant to one’s ear in Spanish in particular when pronounced with the Colombian accent. Moreover, I feel as though my name truly does tie me with my roots.
If I would be asked to change my name, although I dislike how it is pronounced in English, I would not change it. My name is part of my identity. I would no longer be me without my original birth-name. If my parents chose that name for me, it is for a reason. After twenty years of carrying that name with me, it would feel weird to be called something else. Not only would I refuse to change my name because I am used to it, but also because it is my identity; my name is what I use to communicate with society.
The comedy is trying to communictae to its readers that o
ne experiences a lack of identity by changing one's original name. "Johnathan changed his name to blend in and assimilate into the majority of the culture at the company." By doing this, Jonathan has lost his true identity, who he is as a person. It is almost as if Jonathan feared being different. He felt that being different would cost him his job; however, being different would actually make him stand out more. Being different makes one exciting, interesting, and memorable.
Prompt #1: Introductions
My name is Sandra Milena Ortega. I am majoring in history and minoring in education. I do not write as much as I probably should; however, I do enjoy reading books by Gabriel Garcia Marquez such as Cien Años de Soledad and Cronica de una Muerte Anunciada on my spare time. I truly believe that reading helps one communicate well with others. Why do I enjoy reading books in Spanish and why did I take this class? I am just fascinated with culture, accents, and the different identities that exist worldwide. I hope to gain knowledge of people's different characteristics, culture, traditions, and why they are the way that they are.
Besides reading, I have a passion for soccer. I would have loved to play professional soccer, but unfortunately I am not good enough to play pro. However, I did play all throughout high school and I was the captain of my team. Believe it or not, I also enjoy working. Yes, I do! I work for Diane & Geordi, a worldwide Colombian lingerie store. I enjoy everything about it, even having to fit customers into our waist-defining girdles. (They do work! I tried them myself!) Furthermore, I enjoy helping people gain confidence in themselves.
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