Week 6

Pryanka Narayan

ASA 141

Week 6                                    It’s hip to be Asian

            The article It’s hip to be Asian is a highly intriguing article as it discusses a salient concept within society today, the recent infatuation with Asian culture. For instance, prior to this notion, Asian culture was ridiculed for its differentiation of food, clothing, and culture, amongst the norm. Though recently the dynamic has changed, and now many people admire the culture, even to the extent of infatuation. Salwar-kameez, a traditional Punjabi suit, is an essential part of the South Asian culture. Though during the late  1990s the Punjabi suits had become a trendy concept and inserted into different diaspora economies. Many famous people such as Princess Diana and Emma Thompson and Jemima Goldsmith-Khan began wearing salwar-kameez. Other aspects of culture, such as food have also started to become trendy. There are grocery stores that have started to store pre-packed Indian sauces. Many of us are thrilled that the cultures that were once ridiculed for its distinctness, are now celebrated for its uniqueness, we must be mindful of how it is being portrayed. For instance, we must be aware that our cultures should not be marketed as being the next trend, rather it should be admired and respected for its meaning.  I really enjoyed reading this article, as this has been a concept that I have always pondered, but never knew the words to grasp my thoughts. Henna is well known for its beauty, and at concerts or events, there is almost always a Henna artist, and while many people become immersed in its beauty, they have no idea the history or reason as to what Henna really is. I think it's salient to remind ourselves, that while many of us live in the melting pot culture of the U.S., we should not let our cultures be marketed. We should encourage others to become involved within our culture traditions, but inform them of the meaning.