I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting…

I would almost be happier if he ran Republican but with his real name and original faith.

First, Jindal is not the first Indian-American government official to be elected in the southeastern US. Check coverage on other politico types in South Carolina – Dino Teppara (senior staff for Joe Wilson, former co-chair of the Indian & Indian-American caucus) and Nicki Haley. The south also has quite a few black politicians, Jim Clyburn being the first to come to mind.

Jindal is strange as he converted to Catholicism FOR POLITICAL REASONS, not for any personal commitment to the faith.

I really like the south, by the way, I happen to think that the south is the part of the US that actually *got* what civil rights was all about (until disaster aka Katrina).

“What’s more, Mr Jindal’s independance of thought, his initiative, his conversion…

Another Ali Hirsi, in many ways.”

I have little sympathy for Ali Hirsi. She is a islamophobe of the worst kind, by saying that Islam by definition is a radical religion and cannot be reformed.

The author that coined that term is an ignoramus.

And as for the indictment of Mr Jindal’s Chrisitanity, as though it were somehow un-South Asian? Do people here realise that Christainity didn’t arrive in India with european colonialism, but rather has been present on the subcontinent since the 400s?

It predates the arrival of Islam by more than two centuries and is nearly 9 centuries older than Sikhism.

And with more than 60 million adherents it is also India’s fastest growing religious community, now outnumbering Sikhs by a ratio of almost two to one.

Revealing, then, that the mention Christian is absent from the side-bar list of ‘organisations’ on this blog.

With such glaring ommissions emerging from a such morass of soft prejudice, is it any wonder Sunny is surprised, in fact broad-sided?

What’s more, Mr Jindal’s independance of thought, his initiative, his conversion and his ability to ignore the destructive tenors of a self-serving race industry mean that he connects with the larger world, that he can see Whites for who they are and is, thus, a very black sheep, indeed!

And a very WELCOME ONE.

Another Ali Hirsi, in many ways.

“whseem to indicate the need for external approbation in the face of a deep-seated inferiority complex.”

That explanation is somewhat simplistic, Sonia. I do know a lot of people which I respect for their achievements, despite not agreeing with their political views. I am not so narrow-minded to discredit people just because their views are different from mine. That does not imply that I have an deep-seated inferiority complex.

Now, I am happy when Indians do well – no matter their religion or political views, and I believe Bobby Jindal’s win is a good thing. If he didn’t win, guess what? Another person with similar conservative views would have won. At least with Jindal’s victory in the deep South, will inspire others to follow suit… and that cannot be a bad thing. Do not underestimate the power of role-models in society.

Yes of course the politcs should trump the ethnicity. But it is still interesting, and suitable fodder for Pickled Politics to discuss the issue.

Note how the glass ceiling breakers are so often those who adopt the politics of the establishment (or at least the prevailing hegemony). Are they less “threatening” to the white majority? Is radical policies AND radical skin colour just too much to bear?

and good points too Rohin. “Are Indians still so desperate for ratification and achievement that they latch on to any brownface no matter who they are?”.. good question. seems to be the case.

and if that were the case…I would say ( ooh bring it on folks) that that would seem to indicate the need for external approbation in the face of a deep-seated inferiority complex.

why hang on to such complexes? now that is internalising racism and victimhood- in such a silly way – because then, it doesn’t matter if there arent any White or Blue people left in the World to treat you badly, you’ll just treat yourself badly cos you dont think you deserve any better.

(like women often do in patriarchal societies, when there aren’t any men left to tell them to put their dopatta on straight, and not have any fun, because they just tell each other, or the younger women)

Shame the neutrality doesn’t extend to other faiths

“I find it quite nauseating that Indians, be they here, America or India, are automatically gratified to see this victory, despite Jindal being such a morally repugnant politician.”

I can understand that you find his beliefs repugnant… but morally repugnant? My… that sounds more like a judgement of his character rather than his beliefs.

“Are Indians still so desperate for ratification and achievement that they latch on to any brownface no matter who they are?”

Anyone who fights and achieves something – fair and square – despite all the odds, deserves credit in my book. Specially after having failed for being brown. And even though I disagree with his views, he does inspire me. He is the first Indian-American governor, and even if you don’t want to admit it because he is not a liberal or progressive: he has indeed broken a glass ceiling. So he is not just a brownface.

Of course, if he fucks up as a governor and becomes as incompetent as Bush, then I will take everything back.

“But to be honest, I think American rednecks with stupid right wing views are not actually stupid enough to ignore what someone speaks for.”

It didn’t happen four years ago. But hey stupid rednecks… how can one count their stupid ways? I am glad we can discuss about this without caricaturing people for their beliefs.

If you agree with his policies, fair dos, you’re both nuts so go ahead and be proud.

If you don’t agree with his views, I don’t understand. Are Indians still so desperate for ratification and achievement that they latch on to any brownface no matter who they are?

Recognising a glass ceiling being broken…maybe. But to be honest, I think American rednecks with stupid right wing views are not actually stupid enough to ignore what someone speaks for. That Panorama episode referenced above had some shocking lines in it “I don’t like him…Obama, Osama…it’s too close for me.” But none of those types of lines would be said if Barack Obama said what those rednecks wanted. Because Jindal does, they like him. It’s not as thought they’ve embraced Indians, just a bible-totin’, Republican loon with a tan.

India is hardly what you’d call a ‘tolerant’ and ‘progressive’ nation……And yet none of you seem to care about real racism in the developing world. It’s all ‘Daily Express-this,’ ‘Melanie Philips-that,’

That’s because most of us here are British and are not (directly) from India or ‘the developing world’.

This is a pejorative term in British politics. Ask Ming Campbell.

I think ‘young, right-wing, skinny-ass Indian nutter’ should be one as well.

Fred – we’re based in the UK, not America.

Tim W. – good point.