tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post2043216779866397526..comments2024-03-07T14:43:21.888-08:00Comments on Whatever I want to write about: The unbearable burdens of centuries pastSriram Khéhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06907731254833435446noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-47229101226410234552016-09-02T06:47:12.857-07:002016-09-02T06:47:12.857-07:00Today's paper reports that the local universit...Today's paper reports that the local university's president has decided to rename a building that is named after one with racist (KKK) history. This is not "symbolic" as Ramesh interprets such discussions and actions. Georgetown has gone a step further and is putting in place a way to atone for its slaveholding past. These are not at all "tokens". These are huge steps in real change.<br /><br />By Anne's logic, I, as a naturalized citizen, am in the clear and do not have to worry a bit about the American past, right? It is not about "victimhood" but about honest engagement with the past. It is our collective responsibility even though I--as an individual--had no part in this.<br /><br />The entire behavior is "cultural." It is all a part and parcel of what we refer to as culture. Economic betterment by itself is no panacea. Look at the rich countries like France and its culture seemingly at a loss to deal with the "other." Sriram Khéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724218458246880137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-300553752519960682016-09-01T21:31:22.923-07:002016-09-01T21:31:22.923-07:00I agree with Ramesh. My ancestors on my father...I agree with Ramesh. My ancestors on my father's side arrived on the Mayflower, fought in the Revolution and lived in New England before moving to the midwest. Ancestors on my mother's side arrived in the mid-nineteenth century and settled in Missouri and Illinois. Not a slave owner in the bunch. Am I to apologize for the actions of unrelated people centuries ago? Hollow apology. <br /><br />We should acknowledge our past and move forward. I am no more responsible for slavery than someone my age in Oregon is a victim of slavery. We need to cast aside victimhood in favor of personal responsibility and hard work in an economic environment free of crushing regulation that creates sufficient attractive jobs so that crime and welfare dependence are less appealing. Tall order and decades in execution if not too idealistic.Anne in Salemnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-19554974989021855892016-09-01T17:56:55.686-07:002016-09-01T17:56:55.686-07:00I understand, but do not subscribe to, the concept...I understand, but do not subscribe to, the concept that any generation must apologise for the behaviour of previous generations. These symbolic apologies, in my humble view, are mere tokens and are not synonymous with real change, which is what is really important.<br /><br />The caste problems in India are more complicated than what you have portrayed. Brahmins were not the only culprits. Every caste ensured that it oppressed any other caste that was below it in the hierarchy. The real tragedy is that the caste system is still ingrained in society, despite significant improvements in the last two decades.<br /><br />One issue is cultural. A look at matrimonial ads is enough to see that it still holds sway.<br /><br />The second is affirmative action. The caste system is actually being strengthened because of it.<br /><br />I believe the way forward to reducing, and then eliminating, the issue of caste is economic development. Much of the improvement in this space over the last two decades has come by economic upliftment. As the younger generation does far better economically, it is starting to throw away the shackles of caste. If there is widespread economic growth in India, as is likely for the next 20-30 years, then the next generation will drastically reduce the concept of caste. <br /><br />Economic growth is the key.Rameshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782192840421019943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-89290710320954729982016-09-01T13:46:36.739-07:002016-09-01T13:46:36.739-07:00My post did not suggest anything about pity or mak...My post did not suggest anything about pity or making excuses or any of those sentiments that you write about.<br /><br />a. The Georgetown approach is a model for honest treatment of the "personal" involvement in the awful history, and for "personal" ways to compensate for those.<br />b. Many of us in relatively successful stations in life have our own personal share of the awful history, about which we need to engage in honest introspection.<br />c. It is not an accident that the descendants of those who were awfully and systematically messed up in the past are in relatively unsuccessful stations in life--Blacks and Native Americans here, the Dalits in India, the Maori in New Zealand, the ... an endless list. Just because we have recently rewritten the laws of the land, their situation is not going to immediately transform after what transpired over generations and generations.Sriram Khéhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06724218458246880137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27946614.post-11023849188481939652016-09-01T12:40:46.249-07:002016-09-01T12:40:46.249-07:00The best we can do, in my opinion, is to acknowled...The best we can do, in my opinion, is to acknowledge the tragedies of the past without shackling ourselves to them. Slavery was an awful, awful practice, but we do a disservice to those who persevered when we look at their descendants as "children of slaves". There are no slaves in Alabama or Georgia any more, there are only <b>people.</b> We need to treat them as such, and try to help them overcome whatever obstacles they face today. Not pity them, not excuse poor behavior (I was once told that gang culture among African Americans was a result of slavery and therefore my fault) but make sure that all people are given a fair shot at life.Mike Hothnoreply@blogger.com