Most people from colonized or enslaved communities do not "make choices"! Choices are restricted and are made for them by those in power and with authority. Feudal and poor communities are conditioned by history and culture to "conform, comply, accept and adapt to whatever is imposed on them". Many don't even make choices about what college they go to (or want to go to), and what subject they want to specialize in.
I was amazed how many engineers, doctors and computer specialists chose these areas of specialization and profession because it is what was "expected of them by their families or culture, what was good for economic survivial or success, and possible marriage prospect".
Even the middle class is the same way in many countries - including this one. Who invented the term "keeping up with the Joneses"? The US of A!
While I admire that narrow economic focus, determination and direction (which those with ideals might not have, and at times are overwhelmed by those who are so "practical" that they have to constantly give up, compromise or pull back), I also wonder in this "new world of development" (mostly borrowed, followed and copied) it is easier for people to spend copious amount of time on "choices of what to eat, drink, watch on TV and shop"...then the kind of economic and political structures that will ensure "true protection for all, true opportunity for all, true democracy for all and true promotion of talent".
This notion that we can take people from choices in "Pepsi Vs Coke" to "Democracy Versus Theorcracy, Monarchy or Dictatorship (because it helps "Crony Capitalism") is absurd.
US has proven that one can go from $ 5 choices to $50 choices to $ 500 choices to $5000 choices to $50,000 choices to $500,000 choices to $5 million choices to $5 billion choices...on and on! Democracy actually gets eroded because of Capitalism without limits or regulation non-material values of governance that actually, in the long run, affect real open competition (based on ethical fair business practices).
If I say this I am attacked, brought down and constantly accused of something. Of course mummy morons only wake up when their munnas challenge their thinking and get awards for it.
It is easy to change appearance, consumption and behaviors (especially when one's survival and business depends on it). Think of how many Eastern Europeans, Jews and Asians changed their names, attire and their appearance to "fit in, be accepted and make it" in another culture, mainstream society that was different or a world of boys with cash and clout (lots of it) who dictated the terms of adaptation and acculturation?"
It is amazing how many Indian employees in India, working for American companies, now celebrate Valentine's Day, Easter and Holloween. I'd like to know how many Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Bhuddhist or Hindu employers even take the time to explain their culture or tradition to their employees. Nobody has to impose anything on anybody...but education, that is mutual and diverse, is important. Do you see that outside California or the big cities in the US? Kamala Harris, I hope she runs for the Governorship of Cal (she deserves it), has had to explain her name to many White and Black Americans (though she is half Black).
I know minorities who swallow their name in public, their cultural identity in public, never talk about it in public or with people different from them and generally tend to make public or political comments that are devoid of "their cultural or social roots and position".
I admire Blacks and Jews for not doing that. They are not afraid to talk about their slave history, racism in this country, their struggles as people of color, the genocide, the Holocaust, the anti-Semitism...
I know people outside Cal. who have made fun of my last name, asked me bluntly to change it or shorten it so it would be convenient for them...My, my, I could not imagine telling that to Bob, John or Mark (the last my ex-husband's name), who may all look, dress and behave alike. Could you? I cannot see the difference between Bob I and Bob II, though it would be great if they had a bigger choice of names or short names.
Choice is political, economic and social! Lets not forget that!
Comments
Most people from colonized or enslaved communities do not "make choices"! Choices are restricted and are made for them by those in power and with authority. Feudal and poor communities are conditioned by history and culture to "conform, comply, accept and adapt to whatever is imposed on them". Many don't even make choices about what college they go to (or want to go to), and what subject they want to specialize in.
I was amazed how many engineers, doctors and computer specialists chose these areas of specialization and profession because it is what was "expected of them by their families or culture, what was good for economic survivial or success, and possible marriage prospect".
Even the middle class is the same way in many countries - including this one. Who invented the term "keeping up with the Joneses"? The US of A!
While I admire that narrow economic focus, determination and direction (which those with ideals might not have, and at times are overwhelmed by those who are so "practical" that they have to constantly give up, compromise or pull back), I also wonder in this "new world of development" (mostly borrowed, followed and copied) it is easier for people to spend copious amount of time on "choices of what to eat, drink, watch on TV and shop"...then the kind of economic and political structures that will ensure "true protection for all, true opportunity for all, true democracy for all and true promotion of talent".
This notion that we can take people from choices in "Pepsi Vs Coke" to "Democracy Versus Theorcracy, Monarchy or Dictatorship (because it helps "Crony Capitalism") is absurd.
US has proven that one can go from $ 5 choices to $50 choices to $ 500 choices to $5000 choices to $50,000 choices to $500,000 choices to $5 million choices to $5 billion choices...on and on! Democracy actually gets eroded because of Capitalism without limits or regulation non-material values of governance that actually, in the long run, affect real open competition (based on ethical fair business practices).
If I say this I am attacked, brought down and constantly accused of something. Of course mummy morons only wake up when their munnas challenge their thinking and get awards for it.
It is easy to change appearance, consumption and behaviors (especially when one's survival and business depends on it). Think of how many Eastern Europeans, Jews and Asians changed their names, attire and their appearance to "fit in, be accepted and make it" in another culture, mainstream society that was different or a world of boys with cash and clout (lots of it) who dictated the terms of adaptation and acculturation?"
It is amazing how many Indian employees in India, working for American companies, now celebrate Valentine's Day, Easter and Holloween. I'd like to know how many Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Bhuddhist or Hindu employers even take the time to explain their culture or tradition to their employees. Nobody has to impose anything on anybody...but education, that is mutual and diverse, is important. Do you see that outside California or the big cities in the US? Kamala Harris, I hope she runs for the Governorship of Cal (she deserves it), has had to explain her name to many White and Black Americans (though she is half Black).
I know minorities who swallow their name in public, their cultural identity in public, never talk about it in public or with people different from them and generally tend to make public or political comments that are devoid of "their cultural or social roots and position".
I admire Blacks and Jews for not doing that. They are not afraid to talk about their slave history, racism in this country, their struggles as people of color, the genocide, the Holocaust, the anti-Semitism...
I know people outside Cal. who have made fun of my last name, asked me bluntly to change it or shorten it so it would be convenient for them...My, my, I could not imagine telling that to Bob, John or Mark (the last my ex-husband's name), who may all look, dress and behave alike. Could you? I cannot see the difference between Bob I and Bob II, though it would be great if they had a bigger choice of names or short names.
Choice is political, economic and social! Lets not forget that!
I am really impressed with the learned professor's eloquent and well narrated talk on this TV show.My salutes to this great woman of grit and determination.Sheena Iyengar is a visually challenged person having lost her eye-sight in her late teens,but that did not deter her from pursuing her passion for academics and she ultimately did her PhD in an interesting subject.Her just published book THE ART OF CHOOSING has got rave reviews. I request readers to read about this lady who has figured in the 2011 list of the world's top business thinkers,on Google and Wikipedia.More power to her pen and may she never face a dilemma while making further choices in her life.GOD BLESS HER. -J S BROCA - New Delhi jsbroca@yahoo.com 15th Dec 2011
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