12-31-2005, 04:21 AM
Some people objected to the idea that we must follow a Jewish model. I
think the Jewish model has its virtues. There is good evidence that
Jews were viewed very negatively by their neighbors. They did a great
job in the past 50 years in improving their image. But I am not sure
this will apply easily to Hindus.
. Jews are genetically and ideologically far more cohesive than Hindus.
. Jews have paid much attention to reach influential positions in
Hollywood, news media and academics while retaining their allegience
to Jewish identity.
. On an averages the number fair-skinned Jews with "standard American"
names way exceeds the Hindus.
So we need to ask ourselves if we can really adopt the Jewish model
with stark differences on the above points.
From my interactions with fellow ABCDs there are the following trends:
. A fraction of ABCDs become "South Asians". They adopt a south Asian
identity. This is useless because other South Asians like Pukis and
Bangdeshis are attracted towards a Muslim identity and use the SAian
mantle only for subterfuge and comaflage and mating. SAian Christians
merge into mainstream American Christian based identity.
. A fraction of ABCDs will merge assimilate an irreligious neutral
American identity.
. A fraction of ABCDs feel attracted to their ancestral Hindu
condition. Often they are misguided by texts championed by Witzel and
his friends, general media misrepresentation of India and Hindus and
thus do not develop strong Hindu identities.
I think we need to make a clean break from fractions 1 and 2 and
strengthen the identity if the last group. Witzel and his friends
appear to identify to with the first fraction and want to
anthroplogize on 3 to earn money. They do not like their study
subjects reacting to their filming :-)
think the Jewish model has its virtues. There is good evidence that
Jews were viewed very negatively by their neighbors. They did a great
job in the past 50 years in improving their image. But I am not sure
this will apply easily to Hindus.
. Jews are genetically and ideologically far more cohesive than Hindus.
. Jews have paid much attention to reach influential positions in
Hollywood, news media and academics while retaining their allegience
to Jewish identity.
. On an averages the number fair-skinned Jews with "standard American"
names way exceeds the Hindus.
So we need to ask ourselves if we can really adopt the Jewish model
with stark differences on the above points.
From my interactions with fellow ABCDs there are the following trends:
. A fraction of ABCDs become "South Asians". They adopt a south Asian
identity. This is useless because other South Asians like Pukis and
Bangdeshis are attracted towards a Muslim identity and use the SAian
mantle only for subterfuge and comaflage and mating. SAian Christians
merge into mainstream American Christian based identity.
. A fraction of ABCDs will merge assimilate an irreligious neutral
American identity.
. A fraction of ABCDs feel attracted to their ancestral Hindu
condition. Often they are misguided by texts championed by Witzel and
his friends, general media misrepresentation of India and Hindus and
thus do not develop strong Hindu identities.
I think we need to make a clean break from fractions 1 and 2 and
strengthen the identity if the last group. Witzel and his friends
appear to identify to with the first fraction and want to
anthroplogize on 3 to earn money. They do not like their study
subjects reacting to their filming :-)