orientalism & the ny times

[reddyraja]

i think anyone who cares to know is already aware of the sepia mutiny. here's a post that i just came across and found especially resounding/entertaining. it is somewhat similar to an entry i wrote this past may: indian writers in english, a freakout.

Comments

[generating]

YOU THERE!!

I get back the 14th. I want to hang out with you. That first week I'll have lotsa time, since my siblings won't be back for a while. GET IN TOUCH WIFF ME! :-)

[fire_fly]

You should make an Orientalist version of White Privilege Bingo!

Also, is there a syndicated feed on LJ for sepiamutiny.org?

[reddyraja]

haha, that's funny and simultaneously really offensive. i don't really get into the whole 'poc mentality' that only a minority's opinion on race is legitimate and authentic.

as for the syndicated feed, i'm not so sure on that one.

[fire_fly]

I don't agree that only minority opinion on their own oppression is authentic/legit either, but only on theoretical grounds. But in practice, empathy (or rather, as in most cases of race relations, outsider sympathy) only takes one so far and lived experience can't really be replicated. Doesn't mean the opinion is invalid, but that ignorance is built into that particular matrix and overcoming it is that much harder for practical reasons.

[reddyraja]

well said. just wanted to point out that a lot of minorities get this 'blacker than thou' attitude, which i don't appreciate. but what you said is also spot on.

[reformedvesper]

Here in NYC, we just passed a referendum to build a new Second Avenue subway. The Calcutta Telegraph’s coverage would be terribly incomplete unless it included the following....

dies.of.laughter.