The Mississippi Masala

it is important to promote equality and explain without causing offence why some practices are unacceptable “The key anti-oppressive component of personal ands social history discussed in chapter one understanding and valuing the cultural and spiritual heritage of families and

na Nanda 's Neither Man Nor Woman is an ethnographic study about the lives of Indian men known as the hijras. Through interaction with the hijras and her study of Indian culture, Nanda provides a glimpse into a unique society and lifestyle. The author goes into detail about the lives of hijras, their treatment by Indian society, the economic and sexual implications of their existence and status within Indian culture. Nanda defines the hijras as “...the name given to a full-time female impersonator who is a member of a traditional social organization, part cult and part caste, of hijras, who worship the goddess Bahuchara Mata. Hijras may be eunuchs with partial surgical sex reassignment; their sexuoerotic role is as women with men.” (Nanda)

People are fantastic at pointing out differences. Most times than not it’s to make fun of the person being pointed out and often it’s a racist or stereotyping action. “Fish Cheeks” by Amy Tan, “Gate A-4” by Naomi Shihab Nye, and “Just Walk on By” by Brent Staples all touch on the topic of racial and cultural stereotypes.

In our society today, culture is not what it used to be hundreds of years ago. There is no more “pure” culture. Our culture today is enriched with many different traditions and customs that are being shared and adopted. Due to emigration and immigration, a variety of diverse customs, beliefs, and knowledge moved with every exiting and entering human being. Thus, changing and shaping the culture of many. Throughout the world, the beliefs and religious views of culture are dissimilar around the world. By taking the time to read, listen and learn about certain people’s culture, there will be knowledge and understanding that will be gained.

They conclude with the huge difference that is being live between the two generations. But what they reflect is the importance that the Indian culture gives to the family, they say that the family is very important and whether they young folks are entering to a new world they still keep their roots with them.

The Mississippian culture was composed of a series of urban settlements and villages linked together by a loose trading network The Mississippian culture flourished from 800-1600 AD. It encompassed the southern shores of the Great Lakes at Western New York and Western Pennsylvania in the Eastern Midwest, all the way into the south/southwest of the Mississippi Valley and into the Southeastern United States.

“Mansi, your grandfather was very religious, but he also knew that India is not the same now that it was when his father was a priest,” Dad thought very carefully as he spoke. “He had to admit that no matter how hard I worked, it would be difficult to raise you and your brother here if we wanted secure futures for

Although Nair made use of this interracial archetype, the talented director was, nevertheless, able to humanize Meena and Demetrius’s love throughout the life of the film which should unequivocally be one of the seven wonders of the world. Plus, she was able to manage a multitude of subplots—hypocrisy in interracial interactions such as when Jammubhai slyly suggests to Demetrius that “all us people of color must stick together”—without taking focus away from the overlying message which takes serious prowess and skill

Nonetheless, within the Hindu religion, women’s roles have evolved over time and women are going against the social norm of their tradition and their way of life in hopes of being treated in the same manner that Sikh women are within Sikhism (Desai, et al., 1995). Hindu women’s traditional roles in the household in India have changed over the past century. The influence of Western scholars as well as Sikhism views on women has brought change to the overall status and role of women in Hinduism so that Hindu women can be recognized in the same way that Sikhism women are. Western scholars who have studied Hinduism have written many books and articles on the sacred scriptures including reviews on the Vedas (hymns and ritual texts) and other religious scriptures that at one point were restricted from Hindu women.

Within the community it was an honor to marry Henry Patel not because of who he was as a person but because if what he had and what he symbolized. He was wealthy which gives stability and family honor. Nair showing these pressure that are put on Mina within her home to fulfill compares to the standards and roles women are expected to fit into. These pressures inside her home, from her family and people in her community pushed her to want to follow her own path. Opposed to what was laid out in front of her.

Arranged is a beautiful presentation, of the everyday life of women in devoted religions, and really portrays in the way they find choice in their religious devotion. So, while having the freedom to write about whatever we wish upon while watching this film, I decided to base my essay on the cultural relationship of arranged marriages between Rochel and Nasira; just two women and their friendship.

According to the HAT, the author’s responses makes her close to her traditional practices and beliefs, she feels that even though they have been living in US for a long time, they are still connected to their traditional values and it affects them in making decisions about their every day living and also the health related decisions.

This joint family, like any social organization, must face problems such as acceptable division of work, relationships and specific family roles. These familial relationships are managed on the basis of a secular hierarchical principle. In fact, all Indians owe respect and obedience to the head of the family, who usually is the father or the oldest man of the family community. In The Gift of a Bride: A Tale of Anthropology, Matrimony and Murder by Nanda and Gregg, it is explained that, “females [are] placed under the perpetual guardianship of first their fathers and elder brothers, then their husbands.” (Nanda & Gregg 22) Thus, all the spending decisions, studies and profession, or marriage, are exclusively the responsibility of the father after the possible discussions with the other men of the family. Age and sex are the basic principles of this hierarchical system. The eldest sons enjoy greater unchallenged authority than their cadets. Of course men have more authority than women, but older married women have an important role within the family. In fact, the authority of a woman depends on the rank of her husband inside the group. Traditionally, the wife of the patriarch rules over domestic affairs and has considerable power over the other women in the community, especially her daughters- in-law.

Aashirya is a charismatic and energetic 58-year Indian woman working in the local beauty salon in Kabul, Afghanistan when we met. She is a dedicated Hindu and a widow who began working for the Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) after her husband died. She is the mother of two sons and eight grandchildren all living in El Paso Texas. Her sons who were both in the Army were the reason she became a member of the AAFES staff. Aashirya’s family was her number one priority. She loved to travel, she enjoyed meeting Soldiers and spent most of her time making them feel beautiful and as she would say, “I will make your hair look great if only for a few moments.” Everyone loved talking to her, and she was the most favorite beautician in the store, according to the owner, both male and female customers would ask for her by name and would wait if she was busy. Aashirya would have dinner with my coworkers and me at the local Italian restaurant very often, and like myself, she preferred vegetarian meals. She would share stories of her childhood in India, her love for Indian music and movies from Bollywood. The family was quite large, and they spent most of their time together. Religion was a big part of their lives, and she spent quite a bit of time in the Temple. She had heard about Jesus Christ, however, in reality, she hardly knew him nor did she have much knowledge about Christianity. She believed in honoring her religious beliefs, its customs, and traditions.

By analyzing the historical contexts of these specific movements, we take a deeper look at society's social, religious, economic, and political conditions that existed during a certain time and place. These relevant factors profuse mass influence into a filmmakers decisions while in the production process of a film. Additionally, these components have the role of establishing distinct trends in the film industry. Each movement has its own purpose for creating each film in regards to a stylistic standpoint.