Desi Manifesto Blog: The Forum for South Asian American Men

[Blogger: S.I.] So we’re all aware of the typically Hollywood, over-the-top premise of The Love Guru and why it could (should, and probably will) offend Hindus and Indians in general.

The filmmakers and studio, Paramount, say that they mean only to make people laugh, not to insult anyone. But I’d say that, in theory, a goofy white guy who sexualizes all aspects of Hinduism probably falls on the “offensive” side for a group that almost never sees itself on TV or in films in the USA. The above preview alone included:

*Mike Myers as “Pitka,” the horny priest / swami / sadhu / religious figure.
*Some yogi nipple clamps.
*Making fun of midgets, a staple of crappy movies.
*Alligator soup, which is barely better than “monkey brains” from Indiana Jones.
*Gliding, like he’s just one step away from a flying carpet. Because Indians are the same as Arabs are the same as Alladdin (this in particular pissed me off in a recent Fed Ex commercial. I’d write a post, except the ad isn’t on the air anymore).
*Elephants everywhere. All brown people are required to have one, after all.

Other blogs have covered the general issues bundled with the release of this film, such as Stuff Indians Like asking about desis’ tacit acceptance of stereotypes, the origins of this character thanks to Ultrabrown, and Uber Desi’s examination of the CNN article and the possible furor the movie could bring. That last one in particular, a post by Runa titled “The Hindoos are coming!”, is an interesting read because it rightfully questions who the studios see as the Hindu mouthpiece and wonders if a movie this stupid actually will affect people’s opinions about Hindus.

We delve into something else: how offended should we feel?

Because in a strange way, The Love Guru might be exactly what we want.

We all know how rare it is to see South Asians on TV or in films in the US. It’s even rarer for Hollywood to deal with South Asians and our culture(s) as a subject. And when the studios finally do it, we usually wish they’d never tried. See: The Guru.

Why does this annoy us? Because the filmmakers have no idea how South Asians behave on an everyday level, that South Asians can be different from one another, and that not everyone is a strict father, an obedient son, etc. They have no idea of the intricacies of our culture, and they exaggerate stereotypes without focusing on the nuances of the traditions and the people themselves. We come out looking and feeling like 2D cardboard cutouts. Or perhaps most of all, it’s because these movies plain suck. Once again, see: The Guru.

It’s a reflection of our place in US society. On the margins, heard of but still unknown as part of mainstream America (outside of New Jersey), and seen as exotic, almost garish and freakish, like we’re ‘regular’ culture on acid. And those are the good representations of us. When they want us to look like the outsiders, the foreigners, the “them” that people see, they put us on Fox’s television hit “24.”

Seems like we’ll never get what we want. And that’s fair and accurate representation in the media, right? Is that too much to ask?

Depends on what we view as “fair and accurate.” The US media is like a fraternity or a male-oriented workplace. When you’re new, you get hazed. Considering when the first major wave of South Asians came to the US, we’re the new kids, and we’re getting picked on. Do we find the renditions of our people embarrassing, at times shameful, and usually idiotic? Surely. But at the same time, if we want acceptance, this is what we go through. And in most frats and offices, this is fair. You’re a rookie, that comes with the territory until you earn respect.

When first depicted in the media, African Americans were made to be villains. Rather, white men in blackface portrayed African Americans to be villains, to be more specific. Then, Hollywood decided to show blacks as they wanted them to be: happy, child-like, and non-threatening. Black Americans, however, reached a point where they were sick of seeing blacks as the simple do-gooder sidekicks, wanting them to become the heroes AND even the villains. They simply wanted themselves to be real people, full and developed, capable of everything white characters were. And with time, they were able to achieve some of this goal, partially by becoming a viable audience for media specifically targeting them. Because both Batman and the Joker get more credence and respect than that little bitch Robin.

This is the double-edged sword of assimilation. When you’re special and rare, no one will make fun of you. Or maybe no one will understand you or accept you as normal. Likely both at the same time. When you’re made fun of, people don’t take you as seriously, and no one’s leery of offending you, but that’s because you pass under the radar. Just like everyone else.

Are we being assimilated into comedy and entertainment faster than we’re being understood? As in, is it the stereotype of us that’s rapidly becoming part of the American mosaic, rather than the reflections of us we want? Isn’t that the case with every group anyway (the idea of the molester priest, the hardworking Latino landscaper, black men as basketball players or gangbangers, etc.)?

Or do we want to remain separate, and how can we hope to achieve that as well as respect and equality in the country? I know we’re not a melting pot so much as a mixed salad (or something Indian that qualifies… aviyyal?), but everything takes some flavor from everything else when you’re in the US. If you’re special, you’ll never fit in. And you’ll always be a minority.

But, considering how much we lampoon the majority on this blog, is that what you want to be? Showing only one-sided portrayals, good or bad, is fake. To solve this, should only Indians be allowed to write about Indians? Then how can we complain no one gets us if we never allow anyone else to have a chance? Maybe I like our semi ’special’ and ‘protected’ status, but that’s just me, and we’re not a redwood forest or an endangered species. Though, I do wonder what we would have to write about if we were ‘normal.’

So readers, please respond: what is it that we want?