December 15, 2004
To Bindi or not to Bind!
(One 19-year-old's struggle with the mainstreaming of South Asian culture in Canada.)
Our link scout extrodinaire Jen R writes:
"I totally hear what this chick is saying! While I, a Caucasian Canadian, proudly wore an elaborately embroidered red Indian shawl over my wedding dress, so many South Asians are now choosing to abandon their traditional fashions in favour of Western style.
Now, maybe more than ever, stick-on jewelled Bindis, henna tattoos, mandala-patterns, and sari-inspired fashions and accessories can be bought in many trendy boutiques, and even in the Hudson's Bay Company. The elaborate patterns and elegant lines admired and worn by women from all backgrounds and in all age groups in Canada. Except maybe by those with South Asian heritage!
While I am not of South Asian heritage, I keenly remember the one girl in our lower mainland elementary school who was. She definitely stood out amongst the blue jeans and a boyish haircuts. But while the rest of the girls actually envied her fancy dresses and ultra-long braid, she always looked shy, ashamed and uncomfortable. Imagine being a little girl who would rather look like a common street urchin than a princess! The author seems to imply it is a growing trend for South Asians in Canada... what a shame."
South Asian culture: Cool or not?
Im not the deepest down in the brown scene cross town, but i dont really see this trend of abandoning traditions so much.
I mean, most of us that grew up here are into western styles first, thats not a thing exclusive to Indo-Canadians youths at all, I think.
Maybe Jen R. was referring strictly to marriage gear but i see most brown dudes/dudettes louder/prouder about their culture of background than the yellow fellows.
But as far as non-Indo Canadians getting hip to Indo culture style, I think thats just more a sign o the times.
I mean, would ever think a movie like Hero would open up to #1 at the N. American box offices a decade ago?
Wouldve imagined Jay-Z rhymin over bhangra beats back then?
The one thing that I cant stand though is when the non-westerners start to have their moment of pride and accuse hollywood or the west of bitin Chinese, Indian pop culture because just because of the recent trends.
The non-western world has been imitating western pop culture for how long?
Btw, girls like Ash Rai could really wear anything and be hot, no? That is here there, right?
Shes hot and all but for the next/real shit, theres apparently a female Sri-Lankan Brit MC rippin up the garage scene on the heals of Ms. Dynamite, the Streets, Dizzie Rascal...M.I.A. (should be a blob on her some time down the road...).
The comments I made on the blog were in reference to the article "South Asian culture: Cool or not?" by Jayani Perera of the Young People's Press. I was not aware of the trends amongst South Asians she mentioned until I read her article, but I found her experiences touched me, and were worth discussing. I will repost the link here, since I noticed the link from our site has a typo and therefore won't open the article.
http://www.equalitytoday.org/perera.htm
I agree that these days people in general are more open to other cultures perhaps than ever before. It's a wonderful and exciting movement that allows one to not only explore other cultures and ways of doing things, but also forces one to examine one's own culture and ways of doing things, in comparison. The freedom to embrace what I love and reject what doesn't sit right with me - enriching my identity without sacrificing my roots - is exactly why living in Canada is such a priveledge for me.
Sorry, that was me with posts 3,4.
Heres that link to MIA that I missed: http://exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid1=3168
Ima check the Perera article now...
As a 23-year old South Asian woman who has been raised in both Eastern and Western cultures, I would have to say that I am totally proud of South Asian culture, and especially its fashion. I haven't noticed any trend in particular amongst my S.Asian peers to abandon the culture in favour of Western style. I think that to a certain extent, there are members in every ethnic group who are assimilated into North American culture. Inevitable? Perhaps. Then again, I'm not so sure.
Posted by: Stefanie at December 15, 2004 03:41 PM