Radhika's Creative Portfolio

I was drawn to the last scene of In The Name of God by Yasmina Khadra, where the protagonist is perched on a chair like a predatory eagle, after killing another man. I’ve chosen to depict this in my create piece this week, presenting a bald eagle wearing a crown. The bald eagle, as we all know, is the emblem of the United States of America. It was chosen for its long life and majestic appearance, which is definitely something to pride one’s self on. However, the bald eagle was also chosen because of the belief that it was only found in the United States of America. This thought itself seems quite problematic. It reminds me of the Reluctant Fundamentalist, where the protagonist Changez, a student from Pakistan, moves to the United States of America to attend Princeton university and then tries to settle in New York City for a job.

Unlike the bald eagle, many Americans today have origins outside of the United States of America. In fact, the USA prides itself on its inclusivity and welcoming status. Metropolitan cities like New York City, especially, are known for their diversity. Having said this, racism is still a pressing matter. With movements like Black Lives Matter, and the cases of racism at Mizzou and Yale University, we are reminded every day of the “othering” of societies, and religious groups! Furthermore, the fact that leaders like Donald Trump have received so much publicity and limelight indicates that there are some Americans who are exclusive, and narrow-minded, in thinking that other (non-white) races and religions are inferior! Changez, in The Reluctant Fundamentalist, was condescended to and patronized for being brown and Muslim, in the wake of 9/11, and he chose to leave the country and return to Pakistan. I wonder if such incidents worsen racism, by suggesting that racism does actually drive “others” out of a place, thereby satisfying racists by creating an exclusive, self-contained society? I empathize with Changez, as I can understand the humiliation a non-American goes through when an American patronizes their country, with questions like “how come your English is so good, and you don’t sound like Rajest Koothrapalli from the Big Bang Theory!” or, “We don’t say that in America!”

~ by radhikagoyal on December 11, 2015.