Cultural Confluence: Demystified - Book Report/Review Example

The most often used term; Xenophobia is widely prevalent in his place than anywhere else. When people from one state are being recruited by another state, there arises a whirlpool spontaneously which goes to the extent of undermining public property and indulging in anti-social activities. Xenophobia is basically a fear of foreigners, but it would be surprising to know that an analogous fear is prevalent within a country itself. Every state has got reservations for its own people and this is what the writer calls a pre-emptive measure taken to defend its own people at the cost of others.

Maharashtra is a state in the author's country and a prominent political party there is Shiv Sena. Now, an alter ego of the shiv named " Maharashtra Navnirman Sena" was formed by a rebellious leader who belonged to the former, promising a much more inclusive government than the opposition and his parent party. But it was seldom known that it would be at the cost of the resident Marathi workers there. The cat was out of the bag when he instigated his party men to ruthlessly attack workers from other states.

Now the food for thought is to think - why people danced to his tunes. The answer would be that, he played the communal card and it worked easily. As Gloria says, people indulge in counter-stance, just to defend themselves. In a simple way, it is an attempt to shun oppression by oppressing others. An agitated elephant panics and attacks for its defense, likewise people who are feared by another sect become rebellious for the fear of losing their identity. This is the identity maniac that is deeply entrenched in their psyche, which erupts into violence at any point of time, even unwittingly, by the perpetrator.

As Gloria says, people who prefer alternate sexual lifestyles are definitely a bridge in linking cultures and any other identity-based impediments. But the author believes that this cross-cultural queer community once again is vulnerable to form a different Antony 3Community and unknowingly a culture for itself might be formed, which would grow deep. This, in turn, would make them fanatics and provoke them to pre-empt against everything that they find is against them or denied. The author endorses that it is definitely necessary for the oppressor to admit his inefficiency.

But that need not be vocal. A bit of introspection and action is much more important than lip service. Past oppressors may feel ashamed to admit their crimes like the new era "Machos" the writer quotes. But a real change of heart and an inclusive lifestyle is what is necessary for the long run. Be it people from a plethora of countries, cultures, lifestyles, etc. The identity will always exist - At least in the form of physical features and nothing can be done about it. As the author said before not giving too much importance to it will what work in the long run.

We are in the twenty-first century and still if racism prevails, there is nothing else to be ashamed of. It isn't just enough to ape other's culture whenever we want, but it also matters to do away with all the perceptions.