Everybody in India and UK seems to be upset over an episode of a "reality" TV show called "Big Brother," in which an actress from Bollywood (the Indian version of Hollywood, located in Bombay) is seen to receive snide remarks about her ethnic heritage. She breaks down and appears distraught.
Politicians in both countries are now jumping on the bandwagon. Indian politicians are declaiming that racism has no place in a civilized society. British politicians at the highest levels are harumphing that Britain is not a country that tolerates such attitudes, although of course, it does.
Meanwhile, three things seem to be getting less attention than they deserve. The first is that this is a "reality" TV show, which means that it has nothing to do with reality and all the participants, who are getting paid, realize that the show will die, and they will not get paid, if nothing happens. The show doesn't work if everyone is polite and accommodating. It's essential to have assholes. Some of the participants obliged.
Second, the actress is, to restate the obvious, an actress. She might have said, "Oh, don't worry, sticks and stones may break my bones, ..." Instead, she had a breakdown due to the anguish caused by racist remarks. Which apparently she had never heard in Britain before. We should take her anguish with a grain of salt.
Finally, the criticism is coming from India, which defines racism. India is riven by prejudices based on language, religion, and caste. Britain collectively does not treat its most despised groups the way Indians treat dalits. The pot is definitely calling the kettle black here.
Of course, out here on the Oregon Coast, we know all about racism, having mistreated our Indians a century and a half back. However, we have decided to rectify the situation. Since we once corrupted them with liquor, they have now been given the inside track to corrupt us with slot machines. What goes around, comes around.
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Agreed about our Indians. If it weren't for those casinos, there would be almost no sign of the Indians that once made their home on the Oregon Coast. Driven to near extinction by alcohol, small pox, and bloody battles, those remaining Indians reside in pockets of civilization.
The latest round of racism involves a trump card played by Confederate tribes up and down the coast -- casinos. Residents of such cities as Coos Bay, Florence, and Lincoln City have registered the "not in my backyard" argument with their local officials against the building of casinos in their own communities.
While they are busy crying foul, those casinos are aiding in the economic recovery of our region. After the timber industry left, the Oregon Coast's economy sank into the doldrums. For many cities, tourism has bailed us out. Cities with casinos, have especially benefited from the influx of tourists who also visit restaurants, shops, and other establishments.
But here is where we may part ways, Mr. Spooner. While you may think Indians have an inside track to corrupting us with slot machines, each person who pulls that handle has made a choice to do that. We are not victims of our environment. As conscious beings, we decide whether or not to corrupt ourselves. The blame does not fall on casinos but on ourselves if we allow that to "happen."
Casinos? Did I hear CASINOS?
I'd like $50 in chips please, and I'm betting on ...Atlanta and the Cleveland Native Americans to win by 7.
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