wow. First off, the article is HIGHLY problematic, and in itself a extremely narrow minded view on race relations. It gives the false impression of extending "racism" to an entire people, including in India and its diaspora. Secondly, more alarming than that, is the comments that people have posted here.
First off, racism is a specific and overgeneralized term. If we a prejudice to different communites within India, it is not racism. If a pakistani and an Indian show prejudice to each other, its not racism. Racism, is a term coined to evaluate relations between two seperate races. The problem then become how to define a race. The problems with the article and the responses are so immense, I wouldn't know where to start, but keep in mind, the article itself, is a personal take, and should be taken with any academic accuracy. I would be spit at if I ever wrote something like that.
The problem kind of hinted at in the article is the difference between prejudice in the west compared to the east. Let us assume, the majority of people of Indian descent using this language, in the west, are western born. Scientifically speaking, and socially acceptable theories show, their upbringing differs more with their ancestors, and indians back home, then those of different races in their western country. So, when you look at the sentiment behind racism, and the differences that are being seeked out, it is often do to uneducated people not understanding the similarities vs. the differences. Thats the first thing to note. On average, if you are born here, you are more alike to the "gora" than you are to the punjabi back home.
SWI, claimed that sometimes, we should not look at why they are asking the question, because sometimes their interests may actually be genuine. Now, the fact that the statements he/she used were very obsecure and general is problematic and provide little to no insight on the topic, but let us assume, for one minute, someone claimed when people ask, it is for a genuine neutral reason. Research into race relations of people who are separate race's, but of the same birthplace, show that the differences that people seek out are intentional. Ie- If I am a Indo-Canadian, and I talk to a Afro-Canadian, ask he/she about her caste/upbringing, it is typically because I am seeking out DIS-assoication. So as SWI said that "alot" of time people are looking for similarities goes against any sort of basic research done on this topic, and I think common knowledge will prove that to be false as well.
As far as racism by "desi's" (another highly problematic term) to other race's. Like I said, research shows, it is to feed the need for dis-assoication. Like the Kajol example given, it is to VERIFY (implying already pre-concieved notions) some taxonomic differences between me and you. To be prejudice in its basic sense is to need difference. Kinnell said, everyone has an "uncounscious bias" towards different races. Again, bias can never be unconscious, the need for dis-assoication is an effort delibertly made. Research of why this dis-assocation needs to be made, is vast. The theory I subscribe to is the fact that people who live in a multi-culatural, multi-racial society seek assoication, with their own kind. This is basically Dr. Kinsler's theory, of I think it is Yale, a long ago study steaming back to civil rights days. People seek assoication with their own kind as acceptance is easier to be had, when 'a' and 'b' are similar.
So, I hope people use their language very intelligently, and not just blurt out un-evolved statements. It is way too basic, undeveloped, and worthless to point out that "racism sucks" and it exists. I think for race relations to get better, people need to use the right terms and language, and need to start adding things that are viable, and concrete. It is not longer progressive, it is actually hindering the race relations movement, to be so basic in your thought. Everyone thinks racism is bad, everyone knows it exists, and the repeating of these basic phrases is only compounding the problem of inaction rather than offering a solution.
