Richard Crasta
Published: 2011-04-09
Total Pages: 214
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Imagine Edward Said, George Carlin, and Malcolm X jointly writing a book about universal racism from a cosmopolitan Indian's perspective and compiling “The Fourteen Commandments of Impressing the Whites” delivered by a White God? Impressing the Whites is exactly that kind of book. It had a controversial reception when first published in India, where it was featured on national television and briefly made an online bestseller list. Ferociously satirical and idealistic in turns, “Impressing the Whites” suggests ways in which the world might be made fairer for its increasingly multicolored inhabitants. The book also urges that diverse cultures and peoples retain their authenticity what makes them unique rather than succumbing to the universal tendency towards standardization. "The reader laughs, squirms, recognizes his/her own hypocrisy and the blatant absurdity of most unquestioned social conventions. Zany exuberance . . . mischievous.", says one review. Ferociously satirical, idealistic, and politically incorrect (because political correctness becomes a barrier to thought and expression), it is an argument for diverse cultures and peoples remaining authentic rather than succumbing to a global, McDonaldsized culture.It also examines the dilemma faced by non-white people forced to strive to be judged and found worthy by the West, but also yearn to be authentic. What does this situation mean for authenticity, honesty, integrity, and a mutually respectful and honest communication between West and East? "Boldly goes where no Indian writer has gone before."--The Asian Age, Book Pick of the Fortnight.