That wasn't racism, IMO, just a cultural choice...long

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Posted by Meena on June 8, 2003 at 23:51:59:

In reply to: Henna racism - just a rant posted by PPC on June 8, 2003 at 19:51:02:

but then again, I'm Indian, so my view is a little skewed. I don't
always have the warmest response from some Indians, and I think it's
because I do festivals, different body parts and designs (non-
traditional) and I don't speak the language or follow the religions
(born here). Then there are the Indians who embrace the fact that
I'm sharing our culture - which is why i am doing Mehndhi
commercically now. And the business side of it is why I come to
this forum to learn from other artists.

The culture is very complicated, and doesn't blend well with
american ways - mostly in the areas of communication. I think people
come across as rude when that is not their intention. I do
understand, however, the hesitation to hire a non-indian for wedding
mehndhi. No matter how beautiful the work is, it really would be
considered a faux pas even if some family members who hire you think
it's okay. too many guests to worry about what they might be
thinking, and it is really easy to offend when there are so many
traditions to uphold.

i'm not saying what happened to you and others who responded is
right or wrong, just that this issue runs deep, and there may be
religious issues at hand as well.

That said, i feel so grateful that my ancestry is so rich in things
beautiful and magical. I was raised to share that beauty with my
non-indian friends, give them mehndhi and saris and feed them as
often as possible. Please don't let this experience color your
views, and if you're ever near Rochester, NY, come on over for some
curry!

Follow Ups

Re: That wasn't racism, IMO, just a cultural choice...long Kenzi 14:45:30 6/9/2003 (3)
- Thanks, kenzi for the thoughtful discussion...more... Meena 23:58:30 6/9/2003 (2)
  - Re: Thanks, kenzi for the thoughtful discussion...more... Kenzi 13:06:16 6/10/2003 (1)
    - ;-) Kenzi, you are truly a magical person. i got so much from this! n/t Meena 00:23:38 6/11/2003 (0)

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: but then again, I'm Indian, so my view is a little skewed. I don't : always have the warmest response from some Indians, and I think it's : because I do festivals, different body parts and designs (non- : traditional) and I don't speak the language or follow the religions : (born here). Then there are the Indians who embrace the fact that : I'm sharing our culture - which is why i am doing Mehndhi : commercically now. And the business side of it is why I come to : this forum to learn from other artists. : : The culture is very complicated, and doesn't blend well with : american ways - mostly in the areas of communication. I think people : come across as rude when that is not their intention. I do : understand, however, the hesitation to hire a non-indian for wedding : mehndhi. No matter how beautiful the work is, it really would be : considered a faux pas even if some family members who hire you think : it's okay. too many guests to worry about what they might be : thinking, and it is really easy to offend when there are so many : traditions to uphold. : : i'm not saying what happened to you and others who responded is : right or wrong, just that this issue runs deep, and there may be : religious issues at hand as well. : : That said, i feel so grateful that my ancestry is so rich in things : beautiful and magical. I was raised to share that beauty with my : non-indian friends, give them mehndhi and saris and feed them as : often as possible. Please don't let this experience color your : views, and if you're ever near Rochester, NY, come on over for some : curry!
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