Posted on 09/18/2013 8:56:08 AM PDT by newb2012
Some stuff still leaves me puzzled here. How can a 'Bollywood 'dance sequence be considered 'Miss.America's' talent? If someone’s born an American and claim to be all American, wouldn’t they have some original American talent to show and win the prestigious Miss.America title? Does a nation have to become so diverse that it'd loose its own identity? The most sad part is the dance number the winner performed - in no way shows how beautiful Indian fine arts are either. I find the performance to be more of mockery of classical form of the art.
I don't honestly think that any girl of non-Indian descent would have been crowned Miss.India in India or for that matter in any other country. Sonia Gandhi is from the Gandhi family which is still India's first family. Gandhi’s family had been loved and kept on high pedestal by the people of India through her fight for independence and thereafter. They celebrated the family's political victories and mourned each time they lost a Gandhi to extremism through generations. And each time they elected someone from the family to succeed their deceased leader. Yet, because of her Italian origins, Sonia Gandhi is taking a back seat when it comes to leading the country unlike any other person from that family. And that decision is expected and respected by the nation and most leaders.
Each country has its own talent and people capable enough to represent and lead the country. It is important for America to remain America and India to remain India. It’d be lovely see people from any country to stand their ground and take pride and humility in what and where they are from and represent their own country in its originality with its strengths and setbacks. We dont want to see ‘Miss.The Most Diverse Nation On The Planet”, but certainly love to see Miss.America without having to miss America.
We may still disagree on the matter but I'll state my case as best as I can.
I think back to our Founding Fathers, their cultural norms and language. They shared common values, descended largely from Britain and from Europe as a whole. I may be mistaken but I think, to them, culture from India, Pakistan and that region would have been perceived as "foreign" to them. It would be interesting to explore the writings of great men such as Washington, Jefferson and Madison to find out if they had any opinions, one way or another, about what comprises the values and culture of America.
One thing I'll add is that most of the immigrants of the past have gone out of their way to absorb American ways. To a great extent, they take pride in assimilation, speaking our language and immersing themselves in our culture. Although a work of fiction, the opening lines, spoken by Amerigo Bonasera, in The Godfather are indicative of assimilation:
I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I raised my daughter in the American fashion.
Me too. I am surprised it still exists.
Somebody actually watched it?
The Emmy’s are coming up, that’s another good night to be in bed early.
"Started here" doesn't mean it was "invented here".
Almost all modern forms of music were fusion of music from other cultures, imported into the US.
Jazz and Blues are homegrown. The whole world knows that beyond reasonable doubt. There are desperate efforts to have them African rooted, but that’s like saying every human is of African descent because humans began there long ago.
I defy you to play me a song predating 1920, from Africa, that even slightly reminds anyone of the 1920-forward American Jazz and Blues. For bonus points, prove it then arrived here and was an influence.
Native drums and rhythm don’t count. Its so general that it is not an ancestor.
She’s very pretty, as many Indian women are. But in the pics I’ve seen, she looks a bit overwrought.
Maybe that’s pageant syndrome.
“Started here” doesn’t mean it was “invented here”.
Yes, it does. Steel & the wheel weren’t invented in America but the horseless carriage certainly was.
You’re looking for ways to discredit your own culture in order to make a wrong headed “point”.
Coulda been a Cajun Queen playing Zydeco music on an accordion and had subtitles to translate whatever the hell it is she was yammerin about.
That’s what I love about America. You can have a neighbor who speaks english but you still need a translator to know what he’s talking about.
I think that's what's bugging people. Her platform was "diversity," in other words, she's proud to come out in favor of displacing white Americans. And she also expressed her gladness that some young girls (I guess of Indian descent) can finally "relate" to Miss America. So I suppose those little Indian girls could not "relate" to a white Miss America. But white girls are supposed to relate to HER? There's just a smugness in her comments. Beauty pageants don't matter much in the scheme of things. But I believe it's just one more thing, one more incident of gloating, "in your face, white Americans, you're being replaced" kind of thing, that is annoying people.
Cars weren’t invented in America.
I think they awarded Miss America (or Miss USA) once to a gal who did not have her full arm. So the judges sometimes try to make a statement.
Hey, the Governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley, the Governor of Louisiana, Jindal, both good for their office again, are positives for America.
That said, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, it’s a choice and good for those they pick. The girls already won their state.
Although Jazz and blues have their origins in the south, none of it was really African based. It’s very misleading to claim jazz and blues was a continuation of another musical style.
So ? She’s pretty, she’s talented, and she can dance. What’s the problem ??
Don’t be a smartass, you know the point being made.
That middle is a hottie, I mead maddi.
That’s like saying lasagna isn’t an Italian cultural creation because the Chinese invented noodles.
the middle one’s gonna be stoned. i see ankle there.
Nothing smart ass about it. You’re trying to claim something was invented here that wasn’t. A lot of stuff wasn’t invented here. I don’t actually think you have a point, you’re just a pointless chest thumper whose sense of self worth has been damaged by something stupid that doesn’t matter, and doesn’t even reflect on you. But the fact that you’re mad about it does, and it reflects very poorly on you.
Aha, just like global warming is settled science.
Sorry, but your proclamation may convince you, but it doesn't convince me. And, I really don't understand why you and several others on this thread are so sensitive about it. New music, arts, and even technology have always derived from their predecessors.
This country has always welcoming to other cultures that want to join us. Sharing culture doesn't mean we don't share our values. SeekAndFind said it much better in his post #10.
I originally thought the originator of this thread did so to bring out the phobics and put them on display. And now, it looks like he/she succeeded.
” I don’t actually think you have a point, you’re just a pointless chest thumper whose sense of self worth has been damaged by something stupid that doesn’t matter, and doesn’t even reflect on you. But the fact that you’re mad about it does, and it reflects very poorly on you.”
Have a good day if you can....
I’m having a great day, much better than yours apparently.
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