Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Michael Edwards, "Hindu outrage over play featuring Ganesh," ABC.net.au, 9/20/11
A theatre presentation called "Ganesh Versus the Third Reich" is set to appear in Melbourne, Australia this month and this article presents the current conflict over the comical representation of the sacred Hindu god, Ganesh. Without providing extensive historical or sacred background on the topic, Mark Colvin briefly introduces the basis for the anger of the Hindu population by saying "a theater group has unwittingly [w/o knowledge or intention] drawn the ire [anger] of Hindu groups over a play which features a depiction of the elephant-headed god, Ganesh". The approach this author utilizes is unfortunately misguiding. With christian thought as the dominating force in both Australia and the U.S., the majority of the targeted audience is left to make false assumptions. A deeper problem surfaces here as an example of religion in the news. Rather than used as a means of education, news articles like this encourage the ignorant prejudices and stereotypes most Americans (and Australians?) cling to. The theme of the article revolves around the frustrations of the Hindu population, yet the tone of the article becomes subtly condescending (adding fuel to the fire of the Hindu's frustrations). The author never uses directly demeaning or derogatory terminology, but his lack of descriptions/education on the Hindu subject matter fails to provide the audience the tools to make educated judgements. Until news coverage of world religions aims to provide education with the current events, the ruts that divide and separate each religion from the other will become deeper.
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Hey, I actually found a different article on the same issue. It looks like several of us have discovered articles from different sources about this topic. The way the author presented the issue in your article is the same way it was presented in mine- the author was never directly demeaning but there was very little discussion of the Hindu faith and its perspective.
ReplyDeleteI can absolutely understand how most American journalists would unknowingly write this way without realizing how judgmental they are sounding. I think it has a lot to do with American's belief in freedom of speech/freedom of play-write and the assumption that since EVERYONE knows about it, there is no use in getting so upset because the law allows people to say whatever they want. A more experienced journalist might have taken a deeper look at Hindu traditions (and main religious figures, such as Ganesh) and written this article with a little more cultural perspective and respect. Good job Annie!
ReplyDeleteCheck out... Bonnie Malkin, "Hindu fury over Australian play that pits god Ganesh against Hitler." The Telegraph 9-20-2011 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8776050/Hindu-fury-over-Australian-play-that-pits-god-Ganesh-against-Hitler.html
ReplyDeleteThis author seems to be more sympathetic with the Hindu people. She explains more of the background and also raises the point that Australians have been giving Indians a hard time for awhile now.
Anna
I read both of these articles to get a look at the different views put forth, and I have to agree with what both of you already said. The first article did not seem at all out of the ordinary from what we're used to. It was not written in a critical manner, but there was still a subtle, underhandedly demeaning tone that one could pick up on. I'd actually read a little blurb about this story elsewhere, but it was nice to get a fuller picture of what's happening. What you said, apinske, made me look to see what I could find about the Australian-Indian relationship. I had never heard about the Australians being so hard on the Indians!
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