PHAYVANH LUEKHAMHAN

Dear Editor:

Joel Stein’s “article” (“My Own Private India”) disturbs me and other people of color that I know not simply because his remarks are blatantly racist and not worthy of print, but because his rant is an example of the small-minded thinking that dots and clusters the forgotten parts of America, not just those big urban places we often hear from in the news.

Stein is implying that he is proud and unashamed to have committed crimes against his fellow neighbors (however small he might think them to be) and to have had racist friends and probably even participated in their exclusionary activities–I’m guessing he probably didn’t stop them.

What he fails to realize is that immigration, like productive communication, is not a one-sided activity. Yes, immigrants must, and often do, assimilate into their host countries, adapting to new cultures and so forth. But host communities need also to receive these new residents with respect and courtesy, and if possible, provide tools and services to ease their resettlement. This is what most Americans miss in discussing immigration law. Instead of a “they’re taking over” mentality (due in part to non-participation, ignorance, and short-sightedness), we need a “we’re all Americans” global approach, in which everyone is taken as an individual contributor in the strengthening fabric of our history.

Obviously the Indian residents in his former hometown have done well for themselves, despite Joel Stein’s staunch disapproval. What might feel “charmless”, “inappropriate”, and “unfamiliar” to Stein, might be the “beautiful”, “fitting”, and “homey” to someone else. But he might have figured that out had he the gall to talk to one of these new Americans.

Sincerely,

Phayvanh Luekhamhan

To read more:

http://www.feministing.com/archives/021690.html#more

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2010/06/29/indians-unamused-by-times-edison/

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/06/post-17.html

http://blog.angryasianman.com/2010/06/joel-stein-vs-indians-and-indians-are.html

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2010/06/29/indians-unamused-by-times-edison/

Addition: Kal Penn’s reponse:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kal-penn/the-hilarious-xenophobia_b_634264.html

Tags: Edison, Joel Stein, letter, Time Magazine

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