Saturday, April 5, 2003

Subtle Incarnation Of That Same Phenomenon

Also there is a weird little manifestation of that, more subtle.  To a far less devastating extent.  But I think they spring from the same origins.  I have noticed this for the past few years, at least since as early as I wrote that essay, most likely since even earlier than that.

It appears some so-called "modern" girls out in the media are trying to rebel against the oppressive stereotypical, rigid gender roles.  They seem to think, "okay well, I am questioning a portion of family tradition, that of men domineering over women."  Alright, so far, so good.

But in doing so, they are allowing that "questioning" tendency to leak to other areas of their family and culture.  They have also started questioning their multicultural family identity altogether.  In doing so, they cast off any traditions <at all.>  Including their cultural traditions and cultural values.  They do not consider themselves as part of their culture at all.  They do not identify with their family culture.

Some crazy nutjobs buck any and all tradition, eschew any family ties, and toss any traditions out the window.  That is why lots of times it seems that there are these generic "white" nutjobs that deign to call themselves "feminists."  Huff.  They are an insult to the proud name of feminism.  But what is really their cultural origin?  Don't they care about their background and their family heritage at all?

Therefore they turn themselves into lost little urchins, little ragamuffin grown orphans that have no family identity, no heritage, stranded and wandering out cold and alone on the unforgiving streets.  Stringy dingy clothes with a rat's nest for hair.

But in doing so, she has turned away from her culture.  In the process of doing so, she also loses her family identity and heritage.  So, no family ties; along with that she also loses her cultural heritage.  Then to add insult to injury, she rebels even further against the "good girl" standard.  by this decision to rebel, she decides to become a sl-t.  Effectively there is a double whammy that turns her into a listless, wandering, aimless bag lady.  No offense to actual bag ladies.

In doing so, she has turned her back on her family.  Her family who only loves her and wants what is best for her. 

Here is another thing I do not get.  For some reason, it seems that a lot of non-white multicultural societies, those ethnicities seem to be *more* traditional in terms of stereotyped gender roles than western whites.

This was very surprising to me.  Because first of all, I thought that all multicultural societies were supposedly more equality-based.  That is what we had all been taught growing up, that whites and males were "bad," and that women and minorities were "good" by dint of being women and minorities.  All the affirmative action programs have all been structured around this presumption.  All the mass media try to convince people of this general impression.

But now it seems that feminism and multiculturalism are at odds with each other.  At least the media portrays it this way.  Like in that movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."  Now, generally I really liked that movie because of the whole multicultural, ethnic element.  I could definitely relate to Nia Vardalos's main character.  I won't list all the reasons right now because I have to get back to this essay.

Here is another weird example.  On that TV show "Everybody loves Raymond" -- the Debra is apparently a strong capable woman in charge of her own life.  Therefore she hates her father and her parentage.  She is cold and unclose towards them.  They have a distant formal chilly relationship.  Or the whiny little girls on "friends."  Or "will n grace."

But this notion of feminism, education, and progress going against multiculturalist tradition is surprising to me for another reason.  I must reiterate the concept of Bangladeshi and other Asian families.  In all these societies, parents as well as the greater community all encourage girls to be good students and to achieve in life.

Doing very well in school, being an excellent student, planning for one's future -- Bangladeshi families want all of this for girls precisely *because* it is family values.  Being a good kid and having respect for one's parents.  These values all stem from the same origins.  Parents are strict because they want what is best for you.  That has been my experience.  And it has also been the experience of the vast majority of Asian and Bengali kids living in the western world.

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