How racist are we?
“Racism is conditioned by economic imperatives, but negotiated through culture: religion, literature, art, science and the media… Once, they demonised the blacks to justify slavery. Then they demonised the “coloureds” to justify colonialism. Today, they demonise asylum seekers to justify the ways of globalism. And, in the age of the media… demonisation sets out the parameters of popular culture within which such exclusion finds its own rationale — usually under the guise of xenophobia, the fear of strangers.” A Sivanandan – Extracted from Race & Class (Vol. 43, no. 2, October–December 2001).
Recent trends in the US and Australia have brought home a fundamental aspect of human nature. In times of trouble the atavistic tendencies that are inherent in us come to the surface. The veneer of civilization vanishes once we see a threat that is perceived as existential.
Let me explain.
I need hardly remind readers of the many incidents of violence against Indians in the US. Now as if to remind us all of what human beings can be, we hear of reports of brutal attacks against Indian students—one such student is at this very moment fighting for his life in Australia. There have been reports of several such attacks in the last fortnight. Indians at home have reacted with understandable rage calling them “racist.”
The evidence of racism, a charge that the Australians predictably deny, is that at least on one occasion the assailants shouted at the victim, “Don’t touch me!” Racist people consider the ‘others’ to be unclean. It is interesting to note that the dalit leaders in India have also demanded that the United Nations declare our caste system as ‘racist’ since forward caste people often dislike being touched by dalits.
The point I seek to make here is this: in times of existential threat like the recession in the US, Australia and elsewhere, human nature regresses to its pre-civilized state and all norms of humanity and pretensions of tolerance are jettisoned in favour of the rule of the jungle.
Ordinarily calm people turn violent.
This may at least partly explain the assault on Indians in Australia where the ongoing recession has naturally led to the locals to perceive Indians as foreigners who are taking away their livelihood.
That brings me to the next point: If during times of distress, Americans and Australians can behave in a violent manner, is it any surprise that there is violence and the Shiv Sena type of chauvinism in India? I may even go as far as saying that considering the extent of deprivation, Indians are admirably non-violent.
Believe it or not, the number of Americans in prison for every thousand of population is more than the proportionate number in Indians in jail .
And India has been on permanent recession.
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Your point is well made. Human beings roamed free just over six or seven thousand years ago and it’s a miracle that we manage to live without extreme violence in overcrowded countries in Asia, in spite of serious infringement of ‘personal space’. Equable sharing of resources as a corollary of less crowding may certainly allow people to show their better selves more consistently.
Excellent article! I wish that we all could understand this point and improve the image we have for our country in our minds. I live in India and hear from Indians here as well as abroad, belonging to middle and upper middle class, always criticizing their own country. Is it really so bad? I wish if we could all start seeing the brighter side of the things as you have mentioned…..
Nations that go to war illustrate violence so not surprised at violence in America or Australia.
In my view racism manifests itself differently depending on the country so experiences of racism in India are different from the UK or the US
Why can’t people just get over race and select the best people based on their attributes and usefulness to civilization? Yes some people types of people may generally be much more aggressive and less intelligent but I can’t speak of that err… race… (hint: they will eventually take over America…). This whole situation allows people who are no good to also hide behind race and claims of rascism (this is also how America will be conquered from within and not by Indians or Chinese). Frank, open raw discussion is required to get past this degeneration of global genetics as the worst outbreed the best and we all turn a blind eye…
ps. Indians need to have kids with non-indians and arranged marriages should be outlawed entirely as it pays no regard to desire or genetic complement for better offspring. I’m half indian and it is good. My kid is even more mixed, and better than me as a result!
Breed out not in. (although you still have to breed with quality people and not just for the sake of it as that would ruin your bloodline)
You are a hypocrite! By being so fixated on race you don’t see your own fault. You manage to pick two of the most diverse countries in the world and label them “Americans” and “Australians” as if there was one brain behind it. Next time, try to find the good on groups, and realize that individuals make decisions and act on their own.
Freaking cry-baby!
I am an American who works with a number of Indians by helping them with their immigration paperwork. I find your article incendiary at best.
Let me explain.
If you title an article as “racism” then point out to one or two uncited “sources” of the behaviour: where is your data to support your argument besides “anecotal”?
“in times of existential threat like the recession in the US, Australia and elsewhere, human nature regresses to its pre-civilized state and all norms of humanity and pretensions of tolerance are jettisoned in favour of the rule of the jungle.”
As a PhD in Anthropology I would really like know how you know this… it would rock the world of Cultural Anthopologic thought.
If we look to our closest animal cousins, the Chimps, even they have a society and a “rule of law”. Citing racism is as the above is not only infactuous but absurd.
Lastly, to close your article by mentioning that as violent as the Americans and Australians are the Indians are remarkably nonviolent…. who is the racist here, sir? Who is creating division rather than creating inclusion?
“That brings me to the next point: If during times of distress, Americans and Australians can behave in a violent manner, is it any surprise that there is violence and the Shiv Sena type of chauvinism in India? I may even go as far as saying that considering the extent of deprivation, Indians are admirably non-violent.”
What does this have to do with anything but to point out what you believe which is American and Australians are racist in the face of diversity (i.e. Indians) due to an economic recession reverts to a law of the jungle but of course Indians in India who have many diverse languagses and groups are remarkably nonviolent…
huh?
That brings me to the next point: If during times of distress, Americans and Australians can behave in a violent manner, is it any surprise that there is violence and the Shiv Sena type of chauvinism in India? I may even go as far as saying that considering the extent of deprivation, Indians are admirably non-violent.
Pleas sir, I implore you, take a class in logics.
I am pleased to know that the majority of Indians who come to the States that I have grown to admire respect and care greatly for, do not secretly harbor attitudes like yours.