It’s funny how Indians have a strong feeling towards stereotyping when they themselves have no clue that they are doing “it” to themselves. It’s got nothing to do with racism or prejudice. The world has just become a place where it’s filled with humour. We are not the only race being made fun of, maybe the funniest and easiest targeted but that’s a good thing- we make people laugh! Example of one comedian that has opened up our minds to a whole new different type of humour is the famous Canadian Russell Peters, which I’m sure all of you have heard of. Russell Peters is famous for his critical remarks of mainly Indians and then Chinese/Asians.
Why are Indians angry at these stereotypes? I’m not! I guess it all depends on your background and where we all come from. But isn’t it already bad enough that stereotyping begins at school. Indians are afraid that they are being stereotyped but then again what we are being stereotyped for is true! So why are we getting angry? Wouldn’t the world be better place if we all just laughed at each other’s joke and left it as a joke and not take it more than that? In fact it’s the Indian’s that migrate overseas and became more conservative whereas they are meant to be more modern and the Indians in India are involved in a more modern and popular culture.
Of course our culture has been misunderstood by the world, especially by the exaggeration of Bollywood movies- Rich, Doctors, Extremely huge irrelevant bungalows where only a family of three would be living in. And of course the father would be the strict ambitious father and the mother always on her child’s side. These facts definitely show stereotyping. Although these facts are true, but not necessarily with all Indian families. And the only reason Indians are getting affected by this is because they see the true similarities.
Indian’s are also famous for their heavy and thick accent when English is spoken. On this subject, there also have been comments on the character “Apu” of “The Simpsons”. Indian’s claim that “Apu’ again has been exaggerated and that is not how Indians sound like. However again this is done to make the character look and be more Indian and of course it’s exaggerated. Start laughing at yourselves Indian’s, we really are funny and start taking it as an advantage!
As the Indian’s say it “It’s New Gland” not New Zealand
P.S. watch BollywoodHollywood. It’s a perfect stereotypical Indian movie!
Referencing list:
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True or False? Retrieved May 9, 2008, from
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