The J-TAC

Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Opinion

Katy Thompson

I am going to start this editorial by saying that it may be a little biased. I say that because I have an accurate frame of reference for this discussion to take place. My step-father is Indian (not Native American, but Indian) and so I have spent most of my life being very aware of the plight of Indian subculture in the United States. Though most of these changes have gone unnoticed to the untrained eye, it is not a coincidence that Slumdog Millionare, a low-budget quasi-documentary with a quirky plot, showing what life in India is really like won best picture at this year's Academy Awards, it is just the most recent step in a long line of advancement that has been decades in the making in the United States.

I have throughout my life found it astounding that the United States was so behind on embracing the Indian culture, Britain has strong ties to India because of its holding as an imperialist venture and because of this Indian culture and Indians themselves have diffused throughout Europe. Because the British used Indians to man the Great Railroads in Africa, there are still a great number of Indians that live there, too.

Until 2002's hit Bend it Like Beckham, India had been shunted from popular culture American movies since the 1970's. Mississippi Masala, a 1991 film starring a young Denzel Washington who falls in love with a Indian girl whose family owns a motel in the American South was previously the Indian movie of note (or lack thereof). However, Bend it Like Beckham helped make Americans realize that Indian culture was interesting, entertaining and non-stereotypical.

The movie's Indian star, Parminder Nagra was then cast on the popular television show "ER" and became the first Indian actor or actress on a prime time live-action show. Previously the only large Indian reference in any TV show had been Apu Nahasapeemapetilon from "The Simpsons." Apu's role had been expanded with character popularity and the issue of Indian culture was highly discussed in the episode where Apu must have an arranged marriage to Manjula.

With the popularity of Bend it Like Beckham the stage was set for another movie, and Harold and Kumar go to White Castle followed, making Kal Penn an even bigger sensation, which he followed with Van Wilder 2: Rise of Taj before doing a serious Indian movie in the Namesake and later following with a stint on "House, M.D." as the highly liked Dr. Kutchner.

Continued...

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