Bharati Mukherjee

We are writing about stereotypes and how certain men and women are talking a lot about ending stereotypes and bringing independence and freedom but at some point they fail to do so and again create their own stereotype. Khademul Islam has made some great observations about Bharati Mukherjee (July 3, 2004). But Nilofar Khan's observations (Star Magazine, July 2, 2004) are superficial.

Nilofar Khan says that Mukherjee tries to justify her Americanness. But at the same time she is not uncritical . What we want to say is that Mukherjee has made some important statements in her talk about Euro-centric white racism and Brahmin hierarchy. However, Mukherjee made some blatant statements to a broad minded journalist Bill Moyers, "Muslim bosses, hatred etc;" We do not expect Mukherjee, who is intelligent and talented, to make such one-sided statements (as Khademul Islam says that she kept talking about racism and yet her answer was short about fanatics and fundamentalists when she talks about Islam). From a person like Mukherjee, We expect a better understanding about the good and peaceful side of any race, people or religion whether they are Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Muslims etc; there are peaceful Muslims such as Maulana Wahiuddin (India) and the wise and humorous Sufis. We are not fanatics. All we are pointing out is that certain people want to fight women's or people's stereotypes and they end up creating stereotypes.

Bharati Mukherjee failed to generate a "buzz" in Dhaka or a "ripple" and although she believed in cultural diplomacy to counteract stereotypes about America, "she proved to be futile" (Khademul Islam). She writes "I must find my way" (Sanskrit Sloka), but she loses her way.