[hingisundhorsa]

How long do we think this Indian protection of this island will last? The current Indian government, who Indian colleagues tell me is led by a mafia related Italian family, is one of the most corrupt in the world. It is only a matter of time before whichever intelligent anthropologist in the bureaucracy/judicary is currently protecting them falls by the wayside.

[eshvk]

I am curious. What is the purpose of your comment?

> How long do we think this Indian protection of this island will last? Is this a rhetorical question? A call to arms so that someone "more responsible" takes over the island and helps protect the "noble savage"? Or did you want an actual response?

> mafia related Italian family

Did you mean the Italian mafia? Because the only references to such a thing that I can find are from what look like conspiracy stories.

Alternatively, was the fact they were "Italian" supposed to count against them?

[cubancigar11]

I suppose what he/she means is that they are running it like a Mafia.

'was the fact they were "Italian" supposed to count against them?'

Shouldn't it? Specially in an article where uncontacted people, literally, kill people to avoid being contacted?

[eshvk]

> Shouldn't it? Specially in an article where uncontacted people, literally, kill people to avoid being contacted?

What now? Are you trying to say that someone being of Italian ethnicity makes them more ready to contact other people or what?

[cubancigar11]

If you mean to say that being Italian makes them more ready to look down on others, then of course YES. Euro-style nationalism and its other part known as Christianity are based upon the very idea of us-vs-them where 'we' are superior and have moral obligation to 'help' others.

[eshvk]

This is categorically racist. Think about what you are saying. You are saying that just because a person is Italian, they have a tendency to be superior; they are christian.

[cubancigar11]

"I'm like my mother, I stereotype. It's faster."

Seriously though, is there a way to be nationalist and not be racist? Nationalism, as a concept that started in Europe, is entrenched in racism. I can see that you are from USA from your anguish. But USA enjoys a very special history - that of no historical baggage that pits, say, French against the German, or Poland against Germany and Russia.

But back in Europe, 'racism', as it is taught, has been reduced to an outdated concept that has already been conquered. I can assure you it hasn't been. It has rather enabled many people to be racist without being called one.

Sorry, drifted away. Coming back to your point, people are racist. Italy and India share different narrated history - one of a old conqueror in decline and the other of a old underdeveloped civilization in turmoil after British left it out of pity. Everyone seems to believe it. All of their opinions are based upon it. It might be wrong to call Sonia (the Italian in question) racist because she is Italian, it is also not wrong to want to get rid of political bosses because they are Italian.

There is a lot that can be said here, but I guess I will have to resort to quoting from dusty books and running into abstract ideas.