Comments on: Sari and Samosa Syndrome http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2008/10/24/sari-and-samosa-syndrome/ Fri, 18 May 2012 10:34:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Candace http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2008/10/24/sari-and-samosa-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-123952 Candace Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:02:51 +0000 http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2008/10/24/sari-and-samosa-syndrome/#comment-123952 @ K: that is horrible. What a waste. @ K: that is horrible. What a waste.

]]> By: K http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2008/10/24/sari-and-samosa-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-123918 K Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:50:06 +0000 http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2008/10/24/sari-and-samosa-syndrome/#comment-123918 Often those students who supply the food for these types of Multicultural Fairs come from the most economically disadvantaged homes. Nothing is more sad and embarrassing than cleaning up after an event when immigrant students have proudly brought their favourite food to share, and finding full plates dumped in inconspicuous corners because kids are picky eaters and they are only used to their family's food. Often those students who supply the food for these types of Multicultural Fairs come from the most economically disadvantaged homes. Nothing is more sad and embarrassing than cleaning up after an event when immigrant students have proudly brought their favourite food to share, and finding full plates dumped in inconspicuous corners because kids are picky eaters and they are only used to their family’s food.

]]> By: Candace http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2008/10/24/sari-and-samosa-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-123730 Candace Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:34:25 +0000 http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2008/10/24/sari-and-samosa-syndrome/#comment-123730 @ J - thank you for trying. The fashion show is horrible on so many levels: exoticising someone because of their clothing doesn't help anyone understand another culture and you're right - white Canadians are <em>not</em> culture free. Fashion shows where women are paraded (only if they meet the ideal) are a problem period. You're idea for a week of film and discussion sounds amazing. I'm sure you could find some support from the women's studies department at the university. There are some great students who are active in the community. Let me know if I can help. @ J - thank you for trying. The fashion show is horrible on so many levels: exoticising someone because of their clothing doesn’t help anyone understand another culture and you’re right - white Canadians are not culture free. Fashion shows where women are paraded (only if they meet the ideal) are a problem period.

You’re idea for a week of film and discussion sounds amazing. I’m sure you could find some support from the women’s studies department at the university. There are some great students who are active in the community. Let me know if I can help.

]]> By: J. http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2008/10/24/sari-and-samosa-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-123694 J. Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:09:14 +0000 http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2008/10/24/sari-and-samosa-syndrome/#comment-123694 I am a high school teacher and every year it is expected that we "showcase our diversity" by having a fashion show. I refuse to participate. If we are there to teach students to be critical thinkers, what are they to think of an ethnic group who has no "ethnic" clothing because they arrived as refugees, as opposed to a group that is able to wear beautiful clothing and jewelry? It also establishes the idea that the white Canadian students are the norm (because they see themselves as "ethnic culture free"), and that the farther the performing group strays from the "norm", the more justified the white Canadian students are in reacting derisively. I have been talking up an issues multicultural week with foreign films and panel discussions that focus on aspects of the culture, rather than putting the focus on the superficial aspects of the individual, but there is no support for that kind of event. People love the "cultural tourism" idea. The idea of dressing up the way my great grandparents did and singing and dancing for a group of students who were there to laugh at me is unthinkable. Talk about racist and demeaning.... I am a high school teacher and every year it is expected that we “showcase our diversity” by having a fashion show. I refuse to participate.
If we are there to teach students to be critical thinkers, what are they to think of an ethnic group who has no “ethnic” clothing because they arrived as refugees, as opposed to a group that is able to wear beautiful clothing and jewelry?
It also establishes the idea that the white Canadian students are the norm (because they see themselves as “ethnic culture free”), and that the farther the performing group strays from the “norm”, the more justified the white Canadian students are in reacting derisively.
I have been talking up an issues multicultural week with foreign films and panel discussions that focus on aspects of the culture, rather than putting the focus on the superficial aspects of the individual, but there is no support for that kind of event.
People love the “cultural tourism” idea. The idea of dressing up the way my great grandparents did and singing and dancing for a group of students who were there to laugh at me is unthinkable. Talk about racist and demeaning….

]]> By: femilicious.com » Uzma Shakir Quotes http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2008/10/24/sari-and-samosa-syndrome/comment-page-1/#comment-123566 femilicious.com » Uzma Shakir Quotes Sun, 02 Nov 2008 18:35:35 +0000 http://www.femilicious.com/blog/2008/10/24/sari-and-samosa-syndrome/#comment-123566 [...] is not just food, music, and dance. I call it Sari and Samosa Syndrome. We’re not talking about power — let’s talk about my right to wear hijab, about [...] [...] is not just food, music, and dance. I call it Sari and Samosa Syndrome. We’re not talking about power — let’s talk about my right to wear hijab, about [...]

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