Originally posted by: immunoblot
My first question for discussion is about political correctness. The book begins with a monologue by Martin, who explains his reasons for committing suicide; and likens it to going away to Sydney. He says: "Suicide was my Sydney. And I say that with no offence to the good people of Sydney intended."
A. Do you think, people of Sydney will be offended by such a statement. I think not! (Had it been, "Suicide was my new Delhi", I would not have sufficiently enraged.)
B. Does this seem like a routine approach that you'd follow... Say something, and then suggest that no offence was intended? Is this a universal trait, or is this something typically British (which is what the book stereotypes!)
C. Would a desi protagonist do the same (care about political correctness)?
**Keep in mind that I have not yet read a single page of the book** (tries to look ashamed and fails miserably) 😳😳😆😆😆
A. The idea is not offending, but it may to be to the sensitive people in Sydney. If someone says going to heaven is like going to Sydney, it would please the people of Sydney, but if the idea is moving to hell is like going to Sydney, then it can be offending. I expect it would differ from person to person, however, I would not be offended by such statements, because there are always good people and bad people in any country. Another fact is that criticism usually just bounces off of me. 😳😳😆😆
B. If I want to offend people, then I would generally phrase it 'if it offends someone, then so be it'. 😆😆 I think I am politically correct, but only to a certain degree. Most desis are not politically correct though. We say the meanest things, without realizing what we are actually saying and when people say the same things about us, we tend to take a lot of offense. I'll use the example of black people. While we use discriminatory terms for them, it's all good, but when someone generalizes us in the same way, we don't take it kindly. However, it would be wrong on my part to only blame the desis. I believe it is quite a universal trait. I have come across some white folks (again a discrimatory term) who are the same way. The most tolerant people I have found is the "black" community, believe it or not. 😳😃😃
C. I don't think a desi protagonist (in general) would care.
(If I have offended someone, then it was not my intention.) 😳😳😉 **pun intended**
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