LOL.
Protest racially motivated violence in Melbourne by dining at your local Indian restaurant on Wednesday 24 February 2010.
“Years ago, “FTW” used to have a very negative meaning: “f**k the world”. This was a term commonly used by social rebels, anarchists and anti-authoritarian types to express frustration with modern society. Gratefully, this antisocial meaning has dramatically faded in use in the 21st century, and people largely use “for the win” as the modern meaning for this acronym now…”
Might I ask why you’re promoting this self-indulgent shit that will only exploit already underpaid workers so white people can feel good about themselves?
Somebody sent me a link on Facebook, so I threw up here.
It seems like a fairly silly, but relatively harmless, exercise; I’m not sure that its only effect will be to “exploit already underpaid workers” — presumably, with an increase in trade, business owners will experience some additional profit, some non-Indian diners may feel slightly better about themselves, and maybe a ‘positive’ headline will be generated.
I reckon there’s a bit more to it than that – have a look at http://nonviolencenet.wordpress.com/2010/02/15/vindaloo-against-violence-nonviolent-solidarity-over-dinner/
I’ve even quoted Fire Fly above – be interested to hear what you think.
anth
Hi @ndy, Long time reader first time commenter.
I think this is a great idea. Self indulgent it may be but what could possibly be bad about showing support for the Indian community, condemning violence against Indians, eating a curry (and probably some lamb momos) and feeling good about yourself? As an exploited underpaid white worker I could really use some comfort food.
Hmmm.
Dunno.
Fire Fly doesn’t really go into a lotta detail so, y’know…
Anyway, yes, I suppose VvV could be described as “an act of nonviolent solidarity” (Anthony), altho’ I think the term ‘symbolic’ could be added (which, tho’ it’s often interpreted as such, does not imply ‘meaningless’). I also suppose that VvV could be denigrated for its inadequacy — but then, based on what’s been written about it, as well as Mia Northrop’s comments, it doesn’t purport to be The Solution to The Problem of racially-motivated violence towards Indians (and those assumed to be).
A number of other issues present themselves at this point. One is the nature and extent of such racially-motivated violence in Melbourne; another is the media treatment it’s received (both in Australia and India); the meaning of such events (especially what it says about Australia, and especially Melbourne); and how civil society can or should respond.
Fwiw, I’ve been informed that there is actually a small group or a number of small groups of yoof in Melbourne’s north-western suburbs (principally) for whom assaulting Indian students is a kinda sport, a racist permutation on a criminal lifestyle that is otherwise a routine part of everyday life for yoof on da margins of society. Insofar as such behaviour finds its justification in more generalised attitudes of racial hostility…
Husband: It’s a fair cop, but society is to blame.
Michael Palin: Right, we’ll arrest them instead!
John Cleese: Come on, you! Are you in society? Are you in society?
Wife: Ho, ho, ho, ho…
Michael Palin: Right, we’d like to conclude this arrest with a hymn.
I am a bit of a dickhead myself.