Re: Indignant Response - my long winded response! :-)
Posted by Meena on April 21, 2001 at 00:22:31:
In reply to: Indignant Response posted by Kim on April 20, 2001 at 03:21:26:
How uncomfortable you must have felt, yet you handled it with grace.She was probably middle eastern, not indian, since her comments was
regarding people from the middle east. I haven't had that experience
from other middle eastern people or south asian people, perhaps
because I'm not white, I'm Bengali. Many americans I have
encountered have commented on Mehndhi looking "wierd" or "scary" to
them. But I am very used to being treated like an outsider, even
though I was born in Oregon!
I guess I'm responding to your post because I'm impressed how you
handled the situation, even though it was hurtful to you. The woman
had no right to make comments like those, however, I must say that as
time goes on that Mehndhi becomes commercialized, it becomes tackier
and less spirituality based (I saw an ad from the Aladdin Hotel in
Las Vegas for it - unbelieveably tacky!). It is also hard for my
mother and her friends to hear it called henna tattoos, etc. But
many countries I think, have become too possessive of some of their
most beautiful heritages - I believe there is a fine line. I do
understand the frustration of some indian people when celebrities in
crisis run to India to "find themselves" get steeped in whatever they
think is the culture and come back to the US to talk about it. Of
course some are more respectful than others - think Richard Gere vs.
Madonna. Both travel there, both treat the experience differently.
One goes back regularly, contributing to the people and their causes
while the other gets Mehndhi'd, learns some yoga, and writes songs
about karma then leaves to study the jewish faith! Gathering from
your post, you seem to be very appreciative of the beauty you create
and respectful of all the cultures it came from, and for that, I
applaud you!
Namaste' (In Grace, Peace and love I greet you)
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