Post-colonialism and migration

History

India as a colony:- British rule in India started in 1833 after long trading relations because of the BritishEast India Company (founded 1606) and ended in 1947 with India declaringIndependence

- India became more unified, safer and better developed in matters of technology,economy and equality- Britain ended slavery → brought freedom and independence- Introduced its legal and administrative system- Key facts about India after 1947: • 1 027 015 billion citizens (2001)• Official languages: Hindi and English• Religion: Hinduism (75%), Islam (12%),Christianity (6%)• National capital: New DelhiDivision of India &Pakistan:- supporters of India’s independence (Ghandi and Nehru) weren’t able to avoid thedivision of the Indian subcontinent into three states- India (Hindu) and Pakistan (Muslim) became sovereign states whereas Sikkim(Buddhist) failed and was annexed by India- division accompanied by emigration and massacresKashmir conflict:- India and Pakistan lay claim on the region Kashmir- after three Kashmir wars in history since 1947 (47, 65, 99) one can recognize arelaxation of the situation- nevertheless has not been solved yet- conflict becomes more and more important because both states have nuclear weaponsand threatening relations to other parties in global politics (USA, Al Qaida)Explanation of “Post-colonialism”:- specifically post-modern intellectual discourse that holds together a set of theoriesfrom texts of film, philosophy and literature which are reactions to the cultural legacyof the colonialism- it is a literary theory- deals with novels written in colonies; examines culture and identity during colonialismand after having gained independence

Current situation and trends:- GB as a multiethnic state- different opinions: pro and con immigration- pro: value of cultural diversity- con: the British become a minority in their own country, dissolution of the Britishculture- Asian influences on the British culture: cuisine, films (Bend it like Beckham, East isEast) everything Asian has become fashionable- the biggest challenge facing the next generation of young Asians is how to becomecommitted citizens in a modern Britain without forgetting everything about their pastProblems of integration:- discrimination and racism- many Muslims stick to their original culture instead of adopting the British cultureand becoming British Muslims- victim mentality of both – British and immigrants- isolation and ghetto life (endogamy: genetic diseases)

Facts on Immigration

Immigration to England:The immigration wave started in the 1950s and had its peak at the beginning of the1960s

- there was a high increase in a short time (example: 5 000 Pakistani in 1951, 25 000 in1961 and 199 700 in 1966)- the largest group are Indians (over 1 million); their first immigration wave startedshortly after having gained independence in 1947- the third largest group are Pakistani and Bangladeshis (over 700.000)- many Pakistani live in the West Midlands and in Greater London → “Asian suburbs”which don’t afford integration- religions of immigrants: 1 to 1.5 million Muslims, 500.000 Sikhs and 400.000 Hindus→ cultural diversity- politics: - until 1962, all Commonwealth citizens were allowed to immigrate toEngland- the high increase in population led to an intensification of immigrationrules → work permit necessary- Commission for Racial Equality → founded because of the RaceRelations Act in 1976, was supposed to support the elimination ofdiscrimination, the promotion of equality, of opportunity and of goodrace relations- important for the future and a successful integration: self – criticism, permanent anddemanding dialogue, respect for diversity and expression of common values

Films (East is East)

East is East (film):- story takes place in Manchester in the 70s- about the multicultural family Khan

- consisting of the Pakistani George (owner of atakeaway), his six sons (Nasir, Abdul, Tariq, Saleem, Maneer,Sajid), his daughter(Meena) and his English working-class wife (Ella)- patriarchal family structure, father is conservative and sticks to Muslim Pakistanitraditions- the kids are attached to the English culture and ignore their father’s prohibitions- after two arranged weddings are cancelled by the chosen sons, George becomesviolent towards his wife and Maneer- in the end when the family seams to collapse Ella is on the kids’ side and showsGeorge that his behaviour was wrong but also states that he remains the kids’ dad- characters:o Nasir: refused the arranged marriage, lives as a homosexual hatter in London,his name isn’t to be mentioned in the Khans‘ houseo Abdul: unconfident with his arranged marriage but not brave enough to revoltagainst ito Tariq: known as the greatest womanizer of the quarter, argues a lot withGeorge and tries to leave home because of the arranged marriageo Saleem: pretends to study engineering but indeed goes to an art academy, triesto stay uninvolved in all the issues and is very passiveo Maneer: respects George very much and copies his way of life, is alsofrightened of his dado Meena: refuses to wear a Sari, plays footballo Sajid: very timid in front of George, always hides behind his jacket, likes tomake fun with his siblings, too young to discuss with his fatherTraditional vs. Non-traditional behavior: Traditional:They shouldn’t eat pork The children have to attend a Muslim school Arranged marriages Traditional gifts They aren’t allowed to take part in ChristianactivitiesPatriarchal family structure Non-traditionalThey eat pork in secretThe children don’t speak UrduNon-traditional activities like going to a clubor meeting British girls“George” has got an English name and wifeThe children don’t have to wear traditionalclothes in their everyday lifeThey don’t pray every daySaleem studies arts

Current Situation & Trends

- GB as a multiethnic state- different opinions: pro and con immigration

- GB as a multiethnic state- different opinions: pro and con immigration- pro: value of cultural diversity- con: the British become a minority in their own country, dissolution of the Britishculture- Asian influences on the British culture: cuisine, films (Bend it like Beckham, East isEast) everything Asian has become fashionable- the biggest challenge facing the next generation of young Asians is how to becomecommitted citizens in a modern Britain without forgetting everything about their pastProblems of integration:- discrimination and racism- many Muslims stick to their original culture instead of adopting the British cultureand becoming British Muslims- victim mentality of both – British and immigrants- isolation and ghetto life (endogamy: genetic diseases)

Literature

Excerpt from “White teeth” by Zadie Smith (one of a few successful writers focusingon the inner conflict between different cultures)

excerpt from “White teeth” by Zadie Smith (one of a few successful writers focusingon the inner conflict between different cultures)→ Samad Iqbal and his wife Alsana are Bangladeshis living in England and havingdifferent opinions on • Rushdie’s book• tolerance: he wants to protect his own culture and doesn’ttolerate other opinions on it, she accepts other people anddoesn’t want to oppress them• culture: he wants his wife to act like a Bengali and religion hasto be shielded from abuse, however she wants to act neitherBengali nor English because she believes in the culture mix