Lavishly Citrus

Re: Star # 23

Correct me, if I am wrong, but did not duBois suggest an economical social approach to the problem of blacks, but gave up in the end, because Jim Crow was not interested in, as you suggested, ``accepting`` the blacks into the mainstream (white)society?

In my opinion, Branch Ricky, the mangager of Brooklyn Dodgers, did more for social parity of blacks in America, when he signed Jackie Robinson as a player; the first black to play baseball in the majors. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X might have given the blacks political rights, but it was Robinson who really broke the color barrier in America and forced the white society to accept the blacks as equal, first on the playing field, and then later in America in general. Robinson also gave a headach to the followers of Nathan Bedford Forrest: the Klu Klux Klan from which they have never recovered!

The real acceptance in American society lies through its popular sports and then through politics.

In the case of Pakistanis stranded on these foreign shores, the trick is not being white or brown, but being colorless. It is true that demographically speaking America may not be white; it will be without color, because of the inter-racial marriages that will one day erase all notions of color by making everyone the same. The younger generation is going to be more color blind despite their parents` prejudices, because the future of the world will determined by information mobility, not by color, and that is an equal opportunity concept.

Thats why I love the internet, because it is blind to color and judges people on their merits, which is the first step in the complete empowerment of all as equals. (As soon as we can overcome the information gap between the elites and the disadvantage in the poor nations of the world.)

Incidently, here is a little triva for all you folks out there. Next time you run into some of these white ayran bigots, just remind them that the root of the word ``ayran`` comes from the Ariana Mountain range in Iran and true ayrans are the Iranians, a mutation of the word ``arian``, which the Greek historian Herodotus, travelling with Alexander`s army, used to describe the people who lived in that region.

Why do think Hitler, the apostle of racial purity, dispatched German doctors to region to determine the characterists of a true aryan and why the Shah of Iran was so pro German! People, we have more ayran bloodlines than most of the people who pretend to aryans in this land!

Great fun! Thanks for that second piece. Wierder things have happened in real life.

Re: aziz and daring

Through the Paki grapevine, I`ve found that Kamran (not his real name, I`m told) may live in Florida or Georgia maybe. I think Rubina is 100% fictitious...what Pakistani girl sends x-rated cards to her prospective mate? Oh...also heard that he`s vacationing in California somewhere and doesn`t log-on on vacations so probably doesn`t even know his article`s posted.

Am I good or what? Did I come close, Kamran?

;) nighat ;)

I dont know what is worse....whining about ``f#$%% up whites`` (as many of you so eloquently put it) or ``f#$%@ up`` pakis whining about fellow about ``f$$$$$ up`` pakis idolising ``f%$%$%$@# up whites``

The tolerance level is flattering....

Senor Faraz, you must be living in a different country.... America is fast changing, even the corporate climate! That is what I am trying to say, that fucked up Pakis just look at one thing, white and that is all... nothing else.. they look up to the white people... as if they are gods... they are fucked up morons............

Faraz:

How about keeping your comments limited to the story. If you like the story, go ahead and say so. If others do not like it, let them express their opinions.

There is no point in calling anyone names just because they do not agree with your point of view, on this story.

RE: AmirM

I will tell you what they are, they are bunch of FOBs who came here when they were about 15 and 12, and were totally overwhelmed by the openness and the sex, since the poor souls had been deprived of these since the beginnig. They had never seen white people, and were totally blown off after seeing them. So they decided that the only way we can be their friends, and get accepted was that they both act like ABCDs and talk bad about Pakistan and Pakistanis. senor Kamran, if you think that you are the coolest Paki, and that talking to girls and having a bunch of white friends, and making a six figure salary makes you cool, think again, there are lots better...............

Chill and peace.

Re: All the whiners

Would you please get off you soap boxes. If you don`t like the story fine, but do you have to imply that everything has to have a deeper meaning? In my opinion chowk needs some light hearted stuff every now then, some residents have a tendency to get big heads. And to the person who had to mention something about ``# * * * * *-up Pakis think[ing] that America is all about white people``? You must be living on a different planet, America is primarily a white country. Yings and Yangs notwithstanding. The primary cultural conflict most ABCDs feel growing up is with the Joe Schmoe/Apple pie culture, and not with Jose Martinez/beef burrito.

Re: Kamran

please keep us posted.

Faraz

mmmm.... loved it.. a bit late... this episode was but was aight. anyways, you never really otld about that kissing incident in detail.. but it is nice to note that there is some maturity in the conversation spiced up with some laudable retorts.

i like it

keep up the good work

and whatever happened to that karachi trip that is `still` hanging in the balance?

Chowk editors,

Wake up guys, I have been a part of this community since 97 and the level of writing keeps on deteriorating. Most replies are much more insightful and comprehensive as compared to the babbling of Mr. K. It seems to come straight out of English 101. We are not idiots, Okay!

kamran,

Thank you for this fascinating thread. I have found it to be not only entertaining, but also very thought provoking. (Ignore all these people criticising you, they are just jealous :)).

I guess the use of actual (?) dialogue makes for a more engaging and stimulating read.

And why do I think the topic is thought provoking: because it embodies far more than the lifestyles of two individuals. I see in it- and relate to- ABCDness, conflict in the writers mind arising from a perceived confusion of where s/he belongs (?) and consequently attempts to ascertain a `way of life` consistent with the prejudices of the east and west... or am I jut talking gobbledegook.

I dont think it is simply about Kamran and Rubina, it is more about how two Pakistanis (who are apparantly well versed in life) try to find their through these societal pressures. Pressures which each and every one of us has to deal with, as we develop through our lives in te west.For example, we have Rubina... who openly admits to having previous lovers...yet disapproves of drinking. Contradiction in terms? This is ABCDness, aint it? Are kamran and Rubina a typical example of a prospective Pakistani couple, or are they quite unique. Do they herald a turning point in Pakistani society`s stance, or is the liberated independent Pakistani female (Rubina) an aspect of everyday life. These are the questions I ask myself, as I attempt to overecome my own ABCDness.

Eagerly Looking forward to more intimations of Rubina and Kamran!

Amir

Man, just marry the chick and get it over with.

I`ve had the same conversations...in high school.

I`m smiling. Not the punch of the first one, I`ll have to go through it again, but there`s an impact there somewhere.

Boy, the longer you go between writing, the worse your language gets...vacation is corrupting me!!

B.

have to agree with ibn e sina. I thought trashy bestsellers were bad, this is way worse.

First of all, am I just seeing it or is Mr.Kamran actually supposed to be 100 times more well-read and cultured teacher of this woman, who has supposedly read nothing but Cosmo and Degas????

On the other hand our ABCD shams-ul-ulema Mr.Kamran has read Ghalib, Rumi, Iqbal, etc. And while gems of knowledge are flowing out of every word Mr.Kamran is saying, the girl is supposed to know of Rumi through Deepak Chopra? This is pathetic, so damn pathetic it makes me cry.

Khush kismat hain key aap beywafa nikle. Wafadaar to kut-tay hotay hain

At one end Mr.Kamran is a connoisseur of high-flying poetry of Ghalib, Iqbal and Rumi. On the other hand he is quoting this supposed she`r (out of metre, btw) which the girl finds funny.

Anyway this whole thing is incredibly sappy. I resisted my temptation to barf as I read it. As if this whole desi relationship topic hadn`t been beaten to death before, we have a story of an Allama Kamran sweeping a `dumb blonde` off her feet by quoting poetry. Second half seems to be a `charba` from Jackie Collins or something. Jeez! Grow up!

Noor

Does Chowk have nothing better to print than the private telephone conversations of a boy and a girl?

Hmm... so let me get this straight.. R lives 100 miles away from K.. and K lives in Dallas.. so that can only mean one thing, R lives in San Antonio.. and they could have gone down all the way to houston to the Galveston beach! R if you live in San Antonio, you are mine!!!