From: jsahasi@aisun2.ai.uga.edu (Jayesh Sahasi [MSAI])
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian,soc.culture.pakistan
Subject: Re: Testing Please ignore..........
Keywords: Ignore
Date: 7 Oct 92 11:43:33 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AI Programs, University of Georgia, Athens



In article <BvpH86.9wE@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> trinas@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Speedy Gonzalez) writes:
>In (alok.vijayvargia) writes:
>>9) They are of Indian origin - same skin, features
>
>Oh, there's a reason!!!!!!!  I don't know, my skin's kinda dry...
>what if he doesn't have dry skin? :)
>>10) Affirmative Action - give them a chance  :-)
>Now - THAT's a reason!!!!!!!


>>One reason not to marry a person with features same as yours is, in
>>terms of evolution, you are not adding to the gene-bank (or nature)
>>more variety, at least one more unique genome, that can face up to the
>>elements that attempt to obstruct our, that is humans, smooth
>>progress. 

True, diversity usually does imply strength!

>>If that sounds geeky, in other words, you are taking your marriage
>>into an evolutionary cul-de-sac. Or you are becoming like the Lockhorn
>>family (refer to funnies).

>>Of course, this is my personal concoction. Did anyone come across in
>>science books evidence to support this lockhorn theory? 

Like you say, India does have a diverse gene pool, it is easily large
enough to be self-sustaining without any dangers like your lockhorn
theory proposes.  But, as one adds more and more restrictions to the
type of people one marries, the probability of "lockhornism" does increase.

>>By the way, India has some of the most diverse gene bank, given its
>>history full of foreign invasions. As an aficianado of evolutionary
>>theory, I can dare say that the Indian subcontinent has the most
>>accomodating people, compared to a younger civilization here say,
>>because of the inter-racial alliances, although not everything out
>>there has been perfect. 

I don't know about accomodating!  In my experience, unfortunately,
Indians are the most rascist group that I have encountered (except
perhaps the chinese).  But of course, this is just my own opinion,
you are free to disagree.

>>Contrast that with Israel where Arab-Jew marriages are shunned upon,
>>and so the off-spring from such marriages tends to be politically and
>>culturally victimized, which is not the case in Indian inter-caste or
>>inter-religious marriages. 

The quintessence of discrimination usually has to do with outward
appearances:  something that at once sets someone apart as "different"-
in India, you can't tell by looking at someone that they are in an
inter-caste or inter-religious marriage.  That is why the culture SEEMS
more tolerant.  Try marrying an african-american and take her to see
mom- then we'll talk!!

>>However, a serious flaw in all political systems, out of conceit than
>>anything else in my opinion, including in US, is that you can't exist
>>(can you?) as a citizen of a state by declaring yourself as a no-race,
>>no-color, no-religion person. If the government were to add this to
>>the bill of rights, one could see more inter-racial marriages, because
>>their off-spring is not threatened to be wiped out, not by the natural
>>evolutionary process, but by the artificial barriers of government
>>rule.

The problem is, by simply declaring oneself no-race,no-color,no-religion,
one can't change how others perceive you.  And discrimination is about
what others think of you, not who you are!

>>Has any IA or II given thought to their off-spring when their marriage
>>is inter-racial such as: indian vs. african-american, indian vs.
>>chinese, indian vs. anglo-saxon? Much curious to listen these views,
>>given the level of garbage floating about sexist men like me. :-)

Yes, I have.  My relationship with her lasted 3 years, ample time to 
think about all the ramifications.  Well, the facts are, and I have been
made painfully aware of this, it will be relatively difficult for a
mixed couple (and consequently the children) to interact as a part of
Indian culture in the U.S.  However, as a consolation, a Harvard study
dated about 2 years ago does clearly demonstrate that the children of 
such marriages are as a whole, better adjusted, have more friends at school,
feel comfortable with both groups, and are academically superior to their
counterparts (on average).  All this, of course, is in the U.S.:  In India,
I feel sorry for the Inter-racial marriage that has to go thru that!!

Jayesh Sahasi

>>Murthy