Since Cornell brought my name into the dialog, I thought I would respond. But I
should first reply to Antonio's post.
Something tells me that Antonio Menezes, whom I have not had the privilege to
dialog with, is a very intelligent person. Unfortunately there is very little
in his post that I can agree with, hence my reluctance to previously respond to
his post. Part of this disconnect between us is the definition of the word
"culture". The dictionary gives about eight DIFFERENT definitions / situations
/ applications for the word "culture". I get the distinct impression that
Antonio may be using a different definitions of culture from mine. And also
perhaps using the various definitions inter-changeably.
Antonio claims that present GIC started in 1510. Then he goes on to suggest
that culture belongs only to the upper caste / class. How wrong (by my
definition of culture)! Yet caste, language and "GIC as we know it today" was
present pre-1510, continued during colonial period and much of it is still
present. Yes the Portuguese did have an influence on GIC making us unique. And
for us to be designated as a well defined ethnic group and deserving of a
separate state. Language recognition came 5 years after Goa statehood.
If I could decipher where Antonio resides and his profession, my response would
be more targeted to help him understand our disconnect. For now, I would rather
leave it to Antonio's older relatives to explain to him about GIC (values / way
of life) and how it is similar across Goa and the Goan socio-economic spectrum.
I hope Antonio does not take my suggestions the wrong way.
Since Cornell requested clarification of my views, my response to him will
follow. In it, I will present the definition of culture that I apply. For now,
I will emphasize my disappointment at Cornell for telling me (and others) HIS
VERSION of what my views are. Mis-characterizing somebody's writings is not an
invitation to a constructive and advancing dialog. It merely displays one's
difficulty to read and understand what has been written.
Yesterday, I remarked to my wife, that in the USA, people in their dialog find
and highlight common ground. Among Goans we dwell and emphasize our
differences. Is this variations between Americans and Goans cultural?:=))
Regards, GL
---------- Antonio Menezes
The Goan identity or culture that some Goans are obsessed with could best be
understood if we try to define it. And definition of Gic is definitely not an
easy proposition.
However, a beginning can be made if we place a few facts before us. Gic as we
know it today did not exist before 1510 and after 1961 it appears to be
withering away. Gic is geographily confined to the four coastal talukas of
Goa. i.e. Ilhas, Bardez, Salcete and Mormugao Gic arose directly as a result of
conversion to Charistianity At this point, let me state that a vast majority
of Goan Catholics, whether in Goa, India and overseas are least bothered about
the withering away of Gic. Goans who are obsessed with Gic are mainly the
beneficiaries of thePortuguese rule and of patronage that was extended to
Rachol graduate producing families by missionaries. Let us define further the
beneficiaries of Portuguese and missionary patronage.
Today when the Portuguese medium ''high castes''/bhatkars are silent about
Gic ( I think, they yearn to be assimilated with the Portuguese in Portugal) it
is the English medium ''high castes''/ bhatkars who migrated to British India
in search of jobs, whose descendants are today mainly settled in the U.K. and
North America who are responsible for drumming about Gia being in mortal
peril.
____________________________________________________________________________________
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