GULF-GOANS e-NEWSLETTER (since 1994) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goans worst racists? Daily we read in the newspapers about incidents of racism. We think that racist acts are committed only by white men only. Indians (Goans) in Europe, Canada, USA, etc are called "Pakis" and other racist words. What about Goans? I was born and brought up in Sweden and have been married to a Goan for the last 35 years. We have been settled in Goa for the last 13 years, and I have never experienced such racism as in Goa. I am sure that nowhere in the world is racism as accepted as in Goa. Is it right to use racist words like 'ghanti' to people from other parts of one's own country? Yes all Goans are Indians, it's only in your minds that you are not. I hear "decent" educated people talking about sending people from another state back home. What about your own people? Almost every Goan family has one member or more working in another country. My husband has been working in Sweden for more than 20 years, and we would have been very hurt if local people had used racist words and told him to go home, as I have seen quite a few Goans doing to their fellow countrymen in Goa. It is a big shame to treat people like this. To top it all, "good" Catholics are doing this to others. They must have forgotten that we are all equal, and that we all should treat each other like brothers and sisters. Put yourself, or your loved ones in the place of the one you hurt, and I promise you, that you will never do it again, and then at least Goa would be a better place for all to live in. Ulla Quiterio, Parra http://www.oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=20807&cid=13 [As published in Herald of today (27/04/2009] Goa's complete online news edition - Monday, April 27, 2009
