A friend just sent me this piece by S.R. Sidarth, the student who set off the "Macaca" flap 2 years ago in Virginia, destroying George Allen's campaign for Senate against Jim Webb, whom Sidarth was supporting. You remember that this kid, Sidarth, bugged Allen at a campaign event–in a place called "Breaks"– and Allen called him "macaca," a racist comment. A couple paragraphs from "I Am Macaca" bear rereading today, just to remind you that we live in a great country that can lead the world.
The night before the incident in Breaks, I stayed at the home of
Jewel Jones, Webb's aunt, in Gate City on the Tennessee border. I was
treated like family even though I was a guest for only half a day, and
I received a grand tour of the area where Webb's ancestors have lived
for more than a century. The following day, at the picnic in Breaks,
even after Allen's comments highlighted my outsider status, I was not
allowed to depart without eating, because as one woman put it,
"Political differences are set aside at the dinner table." In the same
spirit, I was given accurate directions to Allen's next event, held in
Bluefield the following morning.
After Allen's remarks, my
heritage suddenly became a matter of widespread interest. I am proud to
be a second-generation Indian American and a practicing Hindu. My
parents were born and raised in India and immigrated here more than 25
years ago; I have known no home other than Northern Virginia. The
hairstyle inflicted upon me by two friends late one night also became
newsworthy; for the record, it was intended to be a mullet and has
since grown out to nearly the appropriate length.
Thanks to James North for this inspiring tip.
