I remember a scene in Parzania, where the American who was friends with the Parsi family in the movie, which is caught in the middle of the riots, is sitting at his desk, frustrated with the religious hegemony politics going on around him. He then starts writing in his dairy, all that is wrong with India. Of course, the problem that tops the list is that, “this is a country where people are waiting to kill each other in the name of religion”.
Well lets just cut the, ‘this country’ part (Which I have some major problems with, by the way) and re-write this dialogue. ‘Any country that allows its people to follow different religions, people there are waiting to kill each other in the name of it”.
To explain my statement I shall refer to the latest cover in the New Yorker, which features Obama in Muslim garb fist-bumping his wife with an Afro ,and a machine gun. Although this isn’t like really killing Obama in the name of religion, I personally believe that stunts like such are a way to murder his character, spirit and ideas, much more worse that physically killing anyone.
The New Yorker is reputed magazine known for its rigorous fact checking and copy editing; its journalism on world politics and social issues; and its famous, single-panel cartoons. Therefore, it was blaspheme on its part to allow publication of such a cartoon on its cover.
Though it’s a common knowledge that every media house does support one or the other political party in every country of this world, maligning the opponent’s character in such a way is simply unacceptable. Religion and ethnicity are two things that have unfortunately come to define our personality and role in the society. They have become reasons for enduring ridicule by many and has won undeserving honor to others.
In today’s world, our monitors have replaced our companion’s face and the impression of terrorism so embedded in our senses, that we trust no body . In this volatile world where we cannot trust ourselves, religion and ethnic connection are two things that have made people create a bond of illusion with the mentors, to feel some sort of connection with someone. However, often these leaders promote such ties for their own personal agenda.
And when you have personal agenda in mind we coin cliches and stereotypes. Like after 9/11 around the world this myth has been created that Muslims are terrorists. Also whenever we have to show barbarians, Africans top the list.
It is therefore, the duty of the people on whose shoulders rests the responsibility of the fourth estate to make sure that such clichés and stereotypes are not re-imposed on the masses and is neither used by certain elements for their own propaganda.
Well lets just cut the, ‘this country’ part (Which I have some major problems with, by the way) and re-write this dialogue. ‘Any country that allows its people to follow different religions, people there are waiting to kill each other in the name of it”.
To explain my statement I shall refer to the latest cover in the New Yorker, which features Obama in Muslim garb fist-bumping his wife with an Afro ,and a machine gun. Although this isn’t like really killing Obama in the name of religion, I personally believe that stunts like such are a way to murder his character, spirit and ideas, much more worse that physically killing anyone.
The New Yorker is reputed magazine known for its rigorous fact checking and copy editing; its journalism on world politics and social issues; and its famous, single-panel cartoons. Therefore, it was blaspheme on its part to allow publication of such a cartoon on its cover.
Though it’s a common knowledge that every media house does support one or the other political party in every country of this world, maligning the opponent’s character in such a way is simply unacceptable. Religion and ethnicity are two things that have unfortunately come to define our personality and role in the society. They have become reasons for enduring ridicule by many and has won undeserving honor to others.
In today’s world, our monitors have replaced our companion’s face and the impression of terrorism so embedded in our senses, that we trust no body . In this volatile world where we cannot trust ourselves, religion and ethnic connection are two things that have made people create a bond of illusion with the mentors, to feel some sort of connection with someone. However, often these leaders promote such ties for their own personal agenda.
And when you have personal agenda in mind we coin cliches and stereotypes. Like after 9/11 around the world this myth has been created that Muslims are terrorists. Also whenever we have to show barbarians, Africans top the list.
It is therefore, the duty of the people on whose shoulders rests the responsibility of the fourth estate to make sure that such clichés and stereotypes are not re-imposed on the masses and is neither used by certain elements for their own propaganda.
5 comments:
The Jihadis - in the name of Islam
The Crusadors - the Christian Terrorists
The Mausads - the Jewish Terrorists (most dreaded)
LTTE - the Hindu Terrorists (dreaded)
Maoist - The Buddhist Terrorists
...are most Major religions covered? Isn't Fanatism common in all of them?
Now in the case of the cause for the largest Man slaughter in history are not Americans responsible, and have broken the records of any of them?
The American Economy has always been driven by fear phobia began with the fear for the communists then cold war, then star wars, then it was alians and now its Terrorists? Are they not taking the whole humanity for a jolly good ride for their benifits?
the post is really thought provoking. infact the thought that goes behind this post deserves credit. keep up good wrk!
Hmmmm.... Earlier journalism was called as the watch dog of democracy, but where is the democracy and if there is then who is the watch dog of it, when root is corrupted nothing can be done, we cant expect another gandhi to be born again... everyone are possessive towards their religion, to eradicatde religion from India is impossible... but if possible write up an article if you have any solutions for the problems u have quoted...
there is a mention about individualism....plz write your take on it.
I believe the New Yorker was trying to do the same as you--mock people who are intolerant and automatically equate Obama with radicalism because of his Muslim name...but was it in good taste? I do not think so. Great post.
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