Incidentally, being the avid TED Talks viewer that I am, I happened to chance upon a talk given by noted Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Adichie where she talks about what she refers to as 'the dangers of a single story'. She says one of the biggest problems in the world is the telling and retelling of these 'single stories' that focus so much on one singular aspect of a community or land, that it ends up becoming what or who the people from there are. She spoke of her experience of being overwhelmed with shame on visiting Mexico and finding a completely different aspect to the country than the 'America-crazy illegal immigrant public' that they're so often portrayed as, during the journey of her writing. The best quote of the video for me was – 'The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.'
These two incidents made me think back to my own brushes with stereotypes. In India, if there is no dearth for something, then it is this. Everyone has a set image of folks from each state – Sardars, Mallus, Gujjus, Biharis, Bongs and of course the crass generalization of every South Indian as 'Madrasi' – the list is endless. What then if we choose to read literature that attempts to break these set frames of people and who they truly are? How different would societies be if they weren't based purely on one story – that all consuming singular tale that sometimes tramples all possibilities for an alternative? How different would the cities in our minds be if we heard stories that didn't paint every wall in a house with the same color?
I must confess, now I cannot wait to read Adichie's novels and experience a totally new perspective of what is often, quite unfortunately, referred to as the 'dark continent'. I invite you to watch the video (link below) and, hopefully, find a new definition of that paradisaical light I now find myself thrilled by.
8 reflections:
So true. When will they stop portraying sterotypes in our movies? Most South Indians do not speak Hindi the way the characters do in Hindi movies. And please tell Hindi movie makers that South Indian does not mean "Tamilians". There are Andhraites, Kannadigas, and Malayalees. Also in South Indian language movies, stereotypes regarding North Indian characters should end. The filmmakers here need to to told that North Indian does not mean "Punjabis."
Sindhis or Marwadis are usually shown as business-minded people who dont care much about education. However, I have come across quite a few of them who are professors and are doing extremely well in academic fields. There are South Indians who speak such chaste Hindi and Urdu and even teach these languages in the North. There are Goans - who are usually shown to drink and laze around in our movies - who work hard and make their mark in the field of their choice. I feel that people need to break free of having stereotypic images of people, races or communities or anything else for that matter.
And not to forget the most common stereotype that exists in the professional world "An employee who leaves office on time does not have enough work on hand. One who stays back is the one who works hard". I had to argue a lot that a person can work smart and manage work within the given time and should leave for home on time to be with the family. But then...old stereotypes die hard...alas.
That was a long comment. Sorry for taking up so much space.
@Sandhya
You hit the nail on the head there,mate. There is still much left to be done in clearing those cobwebs of stereotypes that we all are so quick to cast people in. Hopefully we are heading in a direction where such gaps are on the decrease.
Thank you for the very insightful response. Space is not at all an issue when the context given is this articulate. :)
Cheers!
Thanks, SK. Seems like I have gotten used to writing long comments, ha ha. Professional hazard, you see. I am in the field of writing and editing.
@Sandhya
Ah! That explains it. Well I'd prefer this sort of relevant verbosity any day. Do you maintain a blog too so that I may read something you've written?
Nope, I do not maintain a blog. But my sister Shubha does. I am sure you know the about the blog: coloursofnomadiclife.blogspot.com. In fact, I got to know about your blog through her.
@Sandhya
Yes of course. I recall you were referred to by Shubha. Well I'd still be interested in reading your stuff. Please do consider making a blog if time permits. :)
Cheers
Informative read. It reminded me of an incident with a friend where his longstanding beliefs about Sardaars was proven wrong on a fateful train journey to Bhopal. His respect for them has grown 10 folds since. I must share this article with him. The Nigerian writer certainly seems like someone I would want to read. Thank you for the introduction.
I would love to start a blog, SK. But hectic schedules at work and home, and my school-going daughter, keep me on my toes...you might have heard of this excuse several times..ha ha.
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