More info on the Russian spies

http://www.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-49744420100629

Such an interesting story. Had been followed them for years but the US decides to come down on them NOW, amidst US-Russia talks and joint

Obama-Medvedev appearances (he was in Cupertino last week!). Wonder what this means for relations and for our spies in Russia!

Meghana Dhar
Sent from my iPhone

Kal Penn vs. Joel Stein

Joel Stein's article in the latest Time describes the demographic shift in Edison, New Jersey and in the process, highlights ethnic norms and pokes fun at racial stereotypes. He references the "dot-heads" and mentions gods with multiple arms and an elephant nose. He discusses his past in Edison and compares it with the current, Indian-ized town. 

In a word, Stein engages in socio-cultural satire. 

Unfortunately, that's not how Indians across the country have taken it. 

South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) has issued a public statement and online petition condemning Stein's words. Specifically, it reads, "most offensive is his remarkably blasé tone about the discrimination and hate crimes that targeted the New Jersey South Asian Community during the 1980s." 

Similarly, Kal Penn wrote a sarcastic piece in a HuffPo earlier today that essentially calls Stein a racist and is defensive in its tone. I'll be the first to admit that I've grown up with a crush on Kal Penn (since "American  Desi"...) and I'm a huge fan, but his article was a huge blow to his persona for me. If Kal claims himself to be an intellectual, then why isn't he deconstructing the essence of the post and instead dwelling in the superficial nonsense that Stein usually spews (I've read his columns for years now, and they are all emphasized by his slapstick sarcasm and bizarre cultural or social references). 

Here's my point. All of that stuff is true. Stein doesn't lie nor does he display the race in a negative way. Instead, he references terms and facts that have been construed as negative or offensive. Penn's narrative functionally asks you as the reader to condemn any references to the dot-busting incidents of the 80's (which are IMO of vital importance to the diaspora of the South Asian in America) and chooses miniscule battles of Stein's wordings and references instead of seeing the bigger picture. 

To take it a step further, I find Stein's rhetoric as oddly space-making and emancipatory for the race. Why can't we as South Asians embrace our immigrant history, our assigned stereotypes to create and revolutionize our identities as South Asian Americans? Instead, why are we becoming sensitive to our racial positionings, or even worse, taking it in the wrong way? This hinders our progress and distracts us from the bigger questions and the path of racial and cultural understanding within the American framework. 

As a matter of fact, Kal Penn is the last person to be criticizing racial stereotypes. As Taj Badalandabad in Van Wilder (remember that?) he played on EVERY SINGLE Indian stereotype in the book for his role; he's presented himself as the normative "South Asian" in almost every role he's had (from 24, to NYPD Blues, the Namesake) and built his career off of the ethnicizing of the South Asian. 

I stray from my point though: I think there IS racial and cultural space within American society for the South Asian. Although Kal Penn may not know this, he's one of the figures that has played ping-pong with his media-racial identity, and I think it's ended well for him and for us. Characters are portrayed in the media now as mainstream more than foreign (for example, compare Apoo from the Simpsons who was the stereotypical Indian with his thick accent and funny name, to Aziz Ansari's Tom Haverford in Parks and Rec, who is known first for his quirky character and only much later in the series, as being a South Asian). Stein's playful references, however interpreted, are actually a sign of South Asians becoming relevant to American society and an integral part of its ethnographic array. I think, therefore, that a lot of this anger is misplaced and that we as a culture/race/ethnicity need appreciate these public mentions as forums through which we are "normalized" and simultaneously accepted for our cultural quirks. 


Most importantly, Stein ends his article by ironically drawing lines of similarities between young Indians and the more established Italians from the area (by again drawing on another racial stereotype of the "Guido): "gold chains, gelled hair, unbuttoned shirts. In fact, they are called Guindians." Yes, I can be petty and talk about how hurt I am, along with the nation of Italy. But honestly, I think of this as a full circle for Stein - he sees things changing superficially, but ultimately, sees the similarities in the EDISON culture that DEFIES racial lines. 

Penn compares Stein's remarks to Jewish or African American jokes and hints that they should be treated just as gravely as racial attacks. Kal, in the article, Stein also alludes to being a transvestite hooker....

Yea.

PS: there go my chances with Kal Penn. <3 <3 <3 :(

dammit! 


PS: I understand that a lot of Indians/South Asians disagree with my points, and I'm happy to hear your views. 

Food for thought.

A source in BP says it may need to raise $50 billion go cover costs related to the disaster according to Businessweek. This means BP might have to consider selling some of it's assets, which work in favor of the US' geopolitics. (for ex: energy resources from strategically important regions such as Azerbaijan). This is something the US hasn't been able to do itself. Selling could very seriously jeopardize strategically sensitive energy assets.
So is destroying BP both in the public opinion and in their bank rolls REALLY in our national interest? Something to consider.

Meghana Dhar
Sent from my iPhone

Where Israel Stands with Turkey

After the flotilla incident, Turkey has definitively begun facing eastward. We see in previous years that Turkey wanted to join the EU and become part of the Western culture of politics. After it was grouped out and denied membership, and specifically after the Gaza raid, Turkey started talking more to the Middle East and establishing its power there. Eight Turks were killed in the Gaza incident and without claiming state sponsorship of the flotilla, Turkey is responding severely and deliberately.

Turkey shut down its airspace to Israeli military flights and has condemned Israeli brutality and the blockade. As a secular, representative democracy with a 99% Muslim population, Turkey is placed in a very interesting position geopolitically.

 Apparently the two met yesterday for secret talks, pressured by Obama. I'm interested to see which side Turkey lands up on.

(The map shows Israel's attack paths to Iran and what countries it has to go through)