Most of the upper middle class homes in Marathi speaking diaspora is having at least one child settled abroad, mostly in the US of A, with reducing numbers in Australia and Europe. Present-day elderly Marathis, [ I refuse to call them Maharashtrians, as, by Maharashtra Government's definition, the one who has a domicile of 10 years in Maharashtra is a Maharashtrian. After spending a lifetime in Maharashtra many of these so-called Maharashtrians don't assimilate and still remain Gujratis, Tamils or Punjabis and detest to speak in local language Marathi, rather take pride in saying, "Oh I don't speak Marathi, the Ghatis' language in the bracket, You know !" No, I don't know, No, I don't understand the stance. Well let's not get there, the forbidden territory, lest I would be labelled parochial.], are experiencing the syndrome best labelled as 'Empty Nest Syndrome'. After trying to find An American dream at the end of a rainbow they allowed their kids to pursue the dream, they failed to make real, this lot, in the end, is left bewildered, confused and lonely. Is THE American Dream really is a dream to long for?
Had been to states on a longish holiday, very long but holiday nonetheless, practically living out of bags after allotting 3 to 4 days per place, maximum 7, when living with a relative or a friend, so won't be able to, rather should not comment on locals, about their dreams or aspirations. But what struck, without doubt, was plush, lustre, gloss and supermarkets over flooded with goodies, the one thing that we in India longed for, in those days. Kids though looked through the facade, maybe because of their naivety and transparency, so found it superfluous and gross, a society without human touch, warmth and intimacy. May be for us 'Colored People'! A reality which struck me very late, after a decade or so, when I chanced to see a film, 'The Butler' by Lee Daniel.
It's a story of a Black Butler and his family, who served in the white house for over 30 years lending his services to many presidents, from Mr Eisenhower to Mr Ronald Regan, a story of horrifying trials and tribulations of The Black community in 2nd half of 20th century, the most 'Happening' century. The Story of the birth of Black Panthers! While white America was trying to paint a rosy picture of THE American Dream for the rest of the world, she was allowing her Black problem to be burnt on the back burner, literally, to shy away from the prying eyes!
It though did not come as a shock but really rattled me deep inside making an uneasy feeling about the dreamland. We, all said and done, in the eyes of blue-blooded true white American [Though he, himself is alien to the land he snatched away from the native Indians] are going to remain as coloureds, maybe brown but all the same, coloureds, 'others' all the time. Though the real battle is/was between the blacks and the whites, we always remained on the fringe never ever belonging to the inner circle of whites, albeit nearer to the black though, we would rather choose to distance ourselves from them.[ We are Browns, not Blacks you know!]
India adopted for Democratic Governance way back in 1952 and right from the day one, women, backwards [ who compare themselves with the blacks from The states, but in my opinion, there is a vast difference, sometime later about it. ] and downtrodden are having voting rights, equal pays, right to promotion and so may other rights by 'The constitution'. And these rights were and are being brought in to practice in all the walks of life. In the Government, more so. It was really shocking to know that the Blacks did not have equal pays, on par with the whites though they were discharging similar duties, even in THE WHITE HOUSE, forget about the rest of America, especially the Southern states, like Texas, Alabama Mississippi etc. And THE white management of white house was supporting the system till recently. Till Hon. Regan's presidency! That means only a few years ago in MY lifetime! Not a thing of yore or bygone days!
And this is a tip of the iceberg. Just an example. The movie shows so many, so many other discrepancies against blacks that you really shudder. And this America boasts of the American dream?
Mr Obama getting elected as President might be a token gesture. May be just that! Like we calling our downtrodden as class four officers/ Harijans but hardly making any dent on their social and other status! The Blacks adopted America as their country though they basically are from Africa, adopted their god, though white, adopted their language, adopted their culture, adopted their cause to die for, [ ?? Vietnam] but still are lingering on the border of the inner circle, to be really taken in, a point to ponder, point to think, point to imbibe for those who still want to pursue that [? Illusive ] American Dream.
Has the American Dream Gone sour?
Had been to states on a longish holiday, very long but holiday nonetheless, practically living out of bags after allotting 3 to 4 days per place, maximum 7, when living with a relative or a friend, so won't be able to, rather should not comment on locals, about their dreams or aspirations. But what struck, without doubt, was plush, lustre, gloss and supermarkets over flooded with goodies, the one thing that we in India longed for, in those days. Kids though looked through the facade, maybe because of their naivety and transparency, so found it superfluous and gross, a society without human touch, warmth and intimacy. May be for us 'Colored People'! A reality which struck me very late, after a decade or so, when I chanced to see a film, 'The Butler' by Lee Daniel.
It's a story of a Black Butler and his family, who served in the white house for over 30 years lending his services to many presidents, from Mr Eisenhower to Mr Ronald Regan, a story of horrifying trials and tribulations of The Black community in 2nd half of 20th century, the most 'Happening' century. The Story of the birth of Black Panthers! While white America was trying to paint a rosy picture of THE American Dream for the rest of the world, she was allowing her Black problem to be burnt on the back burner, literally, to shy away from the prying eyes!
It though did not come as a shock but really rattled me deep inside making an uneasy feeling about the dreamland. We, all said and done, in the eyes of blue-blooded true white American [Though he, himself is alien to the land he snatched away from the native Indians] are going to remain as coloureds, maybe brown but all the same, coloureds, 'others' all the time. Though the real battle is/was between the blacks and the whites, we always remained on the fringe never ever belonging to the inner circle of whites, albeit nearer to the black though, we would rather choose to distance ourselves from them.[ We are Browns, not Blacks you know!]
India adopted for Democratic Governance way back in 1952 and right from the day one, women, backwards [ who compare themselves with the blacks from The states, but in my opinion, there is a vast difference, sometime later about it. ] and downtrodden are having voting rights, equal pays, right to promotion and so may other rights by 'The constitution'. And these rights were and are being brought in to practice in all the walks of life. In the Government, more so. It was really shocking to know that the Blacks did not have equal pays, on par with the whites though they were discharging similar duties, even in THE WHITE HOUSE, forget about the rest of America, especially the Southern states, like Texas, Alabama Mississippi etc. And THE white management of white house was supporting the system till recently. Till Hon. Regan's presidency! That means only a few years ago in MY lifetime! Not a thing of yore or bygone days!
And this is a tip of the iceberg. Just an example. The movie shows so many, so many other discrepancies against blacks that you really shudder. And this America boasts of the American dream?
Mr Obama getting elected as President might be a token gesture. May be just that! Like we calling our downtrodden as class four officers/ Harijans but hardly making any dent on their social and other status! The Blacks adopted America as their country though they basically are from Africa, adopted their god, though white, adopted their language, adopted their culture, adopted their cause to die for, [ ?? Vietnam] but still are lingering on the border of the inner circle, to be really taken in, a point to ponder, point to think, point to imbibe for those who still want to pursue that [? Illusive ] American Dream.
Has the American Dream Gone sour?
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