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March 09, 2005

Drop it like a FOBHumor

SM reader, Kikali K. sends me this humorous send up of Snoop Dogg’s inane song, Drop It Like It’s Hot. I normally don’t support FOB humor but this is pretty funny. Looks like it was shown at the 2005 SASA conference. Check it out.

dropitfob.jpg

abhi on March 9, 2005 03:40 PM in Humor · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post



1 reader linked

¤ absolutgcs.org said: first there was the indian remix of 'welcome to atlanta'...

and how there's this via sepiamutiny. funny stuff. they mention this was played at the sasa conference in LA. it might have been interesting to go, but i don't know if i would have enjoyed myself or found myself disgusted....
March 9, 2005 06:23 PM

77 comments

 1 · Horrified on March 9, 2005 05:23 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

A mean-spirited, unfunny and disgusting display of intolerance. It's baffling why American born and raised desis find it acceptable to maliciously ridicule immigrants. Especially from Northwestern students, who should have more common sense. What a travesty.


 2 · Abhi on March 9, 2005 05:35 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Horrified,
That is just one of the reason that I think SASA sucks. On the flip side however its not THAT bad and Bollywood movies portray American and UK born desis in an even worse light in my opinion. This is obviously a spoof(even if in poor taste) whereas in Bollywood movies they sanctimoniously pretend they are doing an accurate portrayal of "ABCDs."


 3 · sluggo on March 9, 2005 05:35 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Mean spirited? I don't think so. Unfunny? Well it wasn't brilliant, but it wasn't bad either. Intolerant? Not really, there were no racial epithets, it was primarily making fun at stereotypes....how is that different many comedians who do so towards racial/gender stereotypes?


 4 · Sluggo on March 9, 2005 05:42 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

By the way, Northwestern or a community college what difference does it make in terms of intolerance


 5 · rajesh on March 9, 2005 05:49 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

I didn't think it was particularly mean-spirited or disgusting. Tasteless maybe, but a lot of funny stuff is tasteless. But, this wasn't that funny either. There are only so many ways to deliver the same joke before people start figuring out that they've it before. But then again, maybe I'm missing something in my old age and this is hi-diddle-arious; it's been known to happen.


 6 · Horrified as well on March 9, 2005 06:52 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Abhi, there is a difference.

Not all the US/UK born kids shown in the Bollywood movies are as stereotypical as any form of humor in movies or jokes like this, made by the ABCD community here representing the "FOBs"

Moreover in most Bollywood movies everything is unrealistic and not a true representative of how every Indian thinks. However things like this video stem from SASA like organizations that exist in every school in the country and actually reflect the way how they think of any Indian immigrants!


 7 · VM on March 9, 2005 07:13 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

..me thinks the ABCDs have a FOB complex...


 8 · Deepa on March 9, 2005 07:45 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Horrified, it's all in your perspective. In India recently I kept reading in serious newspapers the most appalling stereotypes of NRI's and so-called ABCD's. Even the name ABCD is far more insulting than FOB.


 9 · Deepa on March 9, 2005 07:54 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

...Although, this clip is really offensive. It reminds me of a skit I heard on the radio last night involving a character called "Swami," an Indian to whom the DJ was outsourcing his job.

It's offensive when whites do it and it's offensive when we do it.


 10 · absolutgcs on March 9, 2005 08:36 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

to be so offended by this is a bit disheartening. should we not laugh at russell peters and his social commentary on the differences between him and his father? there is no point in being so serious about this within the community. if it were coming from outside the community, it would be a different issue. i, as an abd (american born desi), am not confused nor malicious in enjoying jokes about fobs, hell some of my closest friends from school were fobs. from outside the community, proving the humor about fobs is authentic and not malicious is much more difficult. that comes with the territory of being similar or different, imho.


 11 · rajesh on March 9, 2005 09:04 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Is there a particular lyric that makes this so offensive, or is it just the idea itself? It seems kind of harmless to me. And unfunny, but harmless nonetheless.


 12 · Raju on March 9, 2005 09:05 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Its sad that these guy are being creative and down by using stereotypes of the desi community

it was kinda of creative in a mean-spirited way


 13 · Blank on March 9, 2005 09:13 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

By the way, FOB is a term used for ALL immigrants who are new to the country. "Fresh off the boat", as in folks who just stepped off the boat in NY or wherever.

I've heard other immigrant communities use it too.

Indian movies and concepts are biased against ABCDs.

I claim to be an ABCD-EFG-FOB. All of them apply to me.

American Born Confused Desi
Exported from Gujarat
Fresh off the Boat


 14 · SK on March 9, 2005 10:43 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Lighten up guys...

I'm a FOB myself and found it pretty hilarious...OK.. after a while it starts to hurt.. touching a raw nerve, I guess, as far as the ladies are concerned.. :-)......but all desis (FOBs and ABCDs alike) should learn to take things less seriously.


 15 · Horrofied as well on March 9, 2005 11:08 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

I am not offended by humor that is balanced and not targetted to a particular section of people.

Whatever little I have seen of Russell Peters he never really singles out anyone as a FOB. His humor is based on making fun of all Indians FOBs or otherwise, infact people of all races. Another example is the hit BBC series Goodness Gracious Me which pokes fun of the entire immigrant community - first generation or not. And it actually is funny.

But this kinda humor specially coming from SASA organizations is defi. not funny...and yes I find it offensive too. You think they wouldve aired something trying to make fun of the confusion of ABCDs at the SASA show?


 16 · Manish Vij on March 9, 2005 11:14 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)
... make fun of the confusion of ABCDs...

You implicitly assume next-gen desis are all confused, when in the U.S. they're like fish in water. There's nothing sexier than someone who can switch between cultures and is fluent in each. In fact, new immigration is often compelling drama precisely because it generates greater confusion.

And NGD's aren't trapped between worlds either, an original subculture is swelling. The classic response of those who don't intuit a new subculture is to dismiss it out of hand-- this is classic Crossing the Chasm.

As for this clip, it's mildly funny with pretty lame lyrics, but it's pretty slick on production values and sampled beats. Watch the guys in the background. It's got some satirical, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince flava.


 17 · Horrified actually on March 9, 2005 11:44 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

By saying that I did not mean that all.
I do not believe that ABCDs are confused but all FOBs dont wear 'chappals' on the street either.

Someone here asked me to see the humor in the clip, not believe everything and not take it seriously. That was my response...even when I dont believe that all American born Indians are confused, can I just say that - for the sake of humor?


 18 · rajesh on March 9, 2005 11:59 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)
You think they wouldve aired something trying to make fun of the confusion of ABCDs at the SASA show?

I'm not sure what offends you more - that the clip was made, or that it was shown in SASA. If SASA had shown a clip that poked fun at "ABCDs," would that make this any better in your eyes? You've made a couple of tables-turned analogies in your posts, so I'm curious.


 19 · Raju on March 10, 2005 12:32 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

actually wearing chapals on the street would be considered a pretty hip thing to do for, say, an indian-american hipster in a major city

thats why i don't like the foba-phobia...i think it is a phobia...the same phobia that used to keep the desi boys and girls faaaaar away from each other in grade school (i'm not like him/her; i'm different so don't belittle me)

i thought the sketch was not a solidarity thing, or really a shout-out to a shared heritage...it was foba-phobia


 20 · sd on March 10, 2005 01:37 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

The FOB thing wasn't so bad, it's just that it wasn't that creative... Seriously, it doesn't take much thought to make fun of FOBs because no matter what boat you get off of and where, at some point you look like a complete dumbass when new to a country. Here's a story:

A few years ago I moved to Mexico City and at the time, for whatever reason, I was having recurring headaches that required a heavy, daily-dose of drugs. Thus, every other day or so I'd go to the pharmacy and ask for pills using one of two phrases:

1) "Hola, tengo Dolores en mi cabeza, tiene Ibuprofen?"

or

2) "Buenas dias, tiene Ibuprofen? Tengo mucho dolares en mi cabeza."

On most days, the pharmacists would either look at me with blank irritation, shake their heads or rattle off some remark that would get a smirk from a customer in the pharmacy. And I never paid much attention until one morning a petite Rx greeted me with a grin and "Que tal, maricon?" ("What's up, faggot?")...

In the neighborhood I was living in, if someone calls you a "faggot," it's best to knock the situation out right away. But, having minimal language skills, I left and only after returning with my roommate and a brief bit of chest-puffing (they thought I'd come back to fight), here's what I was able to figure out:

When I said Phrase 1), this is what they heard:

"Hey, I've got this chick, Dolores, in my head--do you have any aspirin?"

And with Phrase 2):

"Good morning, I need some aspirin because I've just got too much money in my head."

My Spanish was just good enough to make people believe I knew what I was saying and just bad enough to turn a thought sour. And, the reason the guy was calling me a "faggot" was because he was thinking to himself, "Who's this pussy who, after a month, still can't get over his girl and why the f*ck does he think I give a shit?"

Worse, however, was the pharmacist who scowled at me every time I came in and who, after hearing the explanation from my roommate, nearly choked to death with laughter because, apparently, with his minor salary, he was so offended by my repeatedly saying "I have too much money" that for the last month he was selling me sugar tablets, not Ibuprofen.

So, cut the FOBs some slack, even if they insist on wearing slacks, Trax and whatever else rhymes with those two words.


 21 · Sepia Washington on March 10, 2005 03:13 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

SO(F)Bs.


 22 · DesiDancer on March 10, 2005 06:52 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

sd- LOVE the ibuprofen story!! Needed that this morning. thanks yaar!


 23 · Al Mujahid on March 10, 2005 09:27 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

I didnt think the clip was offensive. I think theres a difference between FOB's poking fun at ABCD's and ABCD's poking fun at FOB's.
FOB's dont normally avoid the ABCD's but the ABCD's who poke fun at the FOB's usually avoid them as well. Also some ABCD'S tend to be a little more vicious and actually look down upon the FOB's.
I find it interesting that some communities do not make 'fun' of their FOB's or atleast not to the same extent that some other communities do.
Indians and Asians (East Asians) tend to make fun of their FOB's way more than say Arabs, Persians or Afghans.
I wonder whats the reason behind it ? Are the differences between Desi ABCD's and FOB's more pronouced ? Is it the colonial mind set ? Maybe some other reason .......


 24 · RC on March 10, 2005 10:08 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Al Mujahid,
Your observation about other immigrant community's FOB is right on the money.
I think the reason is the "shame" that some people with lack of self confidence feel with being associated with "those" so not cool people in order to gain "approval" of the majority here. That is the reason why those who look down upon FOBs dont even want to associate with them.
I say the above knowing very well that generalizations arent the best things. There are plenty of proud American borns who are secure in their identity (and are able to assert their identity) enough so as not to look down upon their own kind.
When some American born (I hate the term ABCD, so pretnetious) make fun of FOBs (I am myslef, I dont know if it counts after 10 years or not) they do it NOT considering them one of their own and that is like beating up a weaker kid by a school bully.


 25 · ST on March 10, 2005 10:19 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Good point RC. You know what's funny is that my 1st generation parents (who came to the US in the 70s) even make fun of fobs now. I guess even immigrants who have been here for awhile want to distance themselves from the fobs somewhat.


 26 · Maitri on March 10, 2005 11:05 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

As long as we're talking about it, thought I'd bring up the small phenom of the uberFOB. This is someone who moved to the US a few years back but now make fun of the fresh arrivals. No jokes, this behavior is displayed by members of my extended family. With "American-accented" Indian English, they go to desi parties and refuse to mingle with the new guy/girl/couple who sit in a corner talking amongst themselves. UNLESS (a big unless) these FOBs are from one of the larger cities and have shown up in the latest Indian fashions and are about to dethrone the uberFOBs as the hot new things.

People/culture watching is fascinating. With a cup of rasagolas in my hand, I can sit for hours at these simple get-togethers and watch whole cultural pantomimes unfold.

Is it just me or are FOBs usually very kind to one another in the same boat, pardon the pun?


 27 · DesiDancer on March 10, 2005 11:09 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

I really don't understand the FOB-hating. Sure, growing up it was a really good alibi for my dad's little quirks, "he's FOB, don't mind him" but as an adult, born and raised in US, I have to say I LOVE FOBs. (dare we coin the term FOB-hag?)
I think it's a really great symbiosis, in that they've never met a girl like me (or Anna!)in that we can talk and hang out and they don't feel like I'm some didi or behenji, nor am I Kareena Kapoor's "Poo" character from K3G. I feel secure in asking some really silly or obtuse questions about our culture-- of which I have many questions, as my Dad came here in the mid-70's and has spent much of his time here trying to assimilate rather than preserve some sense of his/our culture-- enjoying similar interests, or trying new things. There are no cultural stigma with us, nobody judging, no aunties scolding. It's actually just adults discussing life, the different situations they were raised in, and how we view 2 different countries... bas.

With that said, I didn't find the video offensive at all. If they want to make a video and mock American Born Desis, I'll help write the screen play. I make sure to laugh at myself first thing in the morning, that way the rest of you can do it the rest of the day...


 28 · ST on March 10, 2005 11:23 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Yes, I have seen that fobs of a feather flock together.


 29 · rajesh on March 10, 2005 01:07 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)
I think the reason is the "shame" that some people with lack of self confidence feel with being associated with "those" so not cool people in order to gain "approval" of the majority here. That is the reason why those who look down upon FOBs dont even want to associate with them.

You see this crap in college campuses a lot, at least in the US. Even though it's not high school, a lot of people still think they're in a popularity contest, and that hanging out with people that may not fit their description of "cool" will hurt their social standing. It's stupid and childish, but it's the case with a LOT of people, desi or not. That's why I find it so difficult to see this as overly offensive. I view this as more of a jock vs. geek thing than actual racial prejudice. And based on personal high school experience the geeks usually wound up winning that battle in the end.


 30 · RC on March 10, 2005 02:03 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

rajesh,
Then how do you explain that other immigrant groups dont do this extent of FOB bashing. ???


 31 · Anon on March 10, 2005 02:16 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

RC,
That might be cause not all immigrants are considered as "uncool" as Indians.

Think Europeans or Australian speaking English in their accents vs Indians in theirs.


 32 · Abhi on March 10, 2005 02:18 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

RC and Al,
I think you guys are wrong on this one point. Other group DO make fun of "their" FOBs to the same (and sometimes greater) extent. Perhaps you didn't click on the link in my post above, "FOB Humor?" I have seen plenty of joke sketches by the Korean and Chinese communities over the years that are no different than what we see here.


 33 · ST on March 10, 2005 02:24 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

FOB-bashing applies mainly to Asian countries, China and Korea included. Europeans, Aussies, Latin Americans, etc. are considered "sexy" here so there is no need to bash them.


 34 · Al Mujahid on March 10, 2005 02:33 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Abhi,
I did not say that the Japanese and Koreans do not bash their FOB's.
This is what I stated " Indians and Asians (East Asians) tend to make fun of their FOB's way more than say Arabs, Persians or Afghans "

Anon and ST,
As I stated earlier, Arabs and Persians do not bash their FOB's or atleast no way near the degree the Desis so. You I am sure would agree with me that Arabs and Iranians are not considered cool in the US. I know a LOT of Arab/Iranian Americans and Arab/Irabian FOB. I have hung out with them, I have been to their parties and I have seem them interact with each other. They dont have the same tensions that ABCD and FOB Desis have.
Having said that, I agree that there's a coolness factor in play here, though I do not believe that the 'uncool' factor by itself explains this discrepancy.


 35 · ST on March 10, 2005 02:49 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Based on physical appearance alone, Arab/Iranian fobs don't racially stand out as much in the US b/c they look closer to whites. So any "fobby" mannerisms they exhibit aren't as easy for the general public to stereotype as those of desis/east Asians. Since this stereotype threat doesn't exist as much, there isn't much of a need for Arab/Iranian Americans to distance themselves from their fobs.


 36 · ST on March 10, 2005 02:58 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

I also think that the hyper-competitive nature of most desis plays a role in the large extent of their fob-bashing. Desis aren't really taught how to love and support others of their own race. I have seen this mentality in Chinese Americans as well.


 37 · RC on March 10, 2005 03:54 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

The ethnic shame phenomenon American born and even new immigrant desis have is the key factor, others are just excuses. IMO anyways


 38 · Roshni on March 10, 2005 07:05 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Are you people serious??? NRIs and ABCDs get made fun of all the time in India. People need to learn how to take a joke. WE ARE ALL INDIAN! By the way, the video was hilarious!


 39 · thalassa on March 10, 2005 07:48 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

It's really interesting to go through all these comments. I'm an Indian FOB and I've socialized with a lot of different ethnic groups in my school, especially the Greeks, Iranians and Vietnamese. Of these, the Greeks have the maximum interaction between FOBs and Greek-Americans, followed by Vietnamese and Iranians respectively. My boyfriend who's Greek says that within Greek-Americans, a boy from back home is quite a catch!

I don't really agree that Iranian-Americans are any better disposed towards their FOBs than Indian-Americans. Most of my Iranian friends complain about the unwillingness of Iranian-American women to date FOBs. I think a big fear is being used as a ticket to a green card.

I have noticed though that there has been a change in the FOBs who've been coming to the US in the last couple of years or so (I arrived in 2000). I think a lot of them are liberalization's children and are more globally savvy than certainly my generation of Indians are.


 40 · Saurav on March 11, 2005 01:49 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

I wish everyone would stop saying Indian when they mean desi or South Asian or brown. Anyway...

The song was offensive, but more in a pathetic way than a scary way. the kids who made that probably need some growth time and therapy more than anything else and will hopefully grow to regret that they were so lame once.

but summa y'all need to lighten up (not the fobs...the abcds like me with the overdeveloped guilt complexes :) ). can someone who's so pissed off about bollywood portrayals of abcds give an example? i don't watch enough, but i haven't seen anything that was much worse than aladdin's hilarious fob character in american desi.

On a more entertaining note, my (fob) friend Ayaz posted this at urban dictionary:

1. homofobia

The state of being a homoFOB. The state of loving oneself as a homosexual who is also a FOB or in other words fresh of the boat. Not to be confused with homophobia which has the opposite meaning yet similar sound.

We watched "La Mala Educacion" and then went for Sushi at Gotan's. We dissed ABCDs who think they are IT. Because it were WE homoFOBs who were IT. Then we sat around some bar table in the West Village and sang 70s songs by Noor Jehan and occasionally reminisced about the dialogue in movies like Sorraya Bhopali or Umrao Jaan. All in all, it was a very just a slice of my life full of homoFOBia.


 41 · epoch on March 11, 2005 02:28 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Ummm....WTF. I not so much offended by the video, as I am by the fact that it was shown at the SASA conference.

Honestly there are enough stereotypical depictions of desi folk in mainstream media. I thought student groups were about empowerment, not perpetuating stereotypes.

So why a South Asian student group would show this video at their convention is beyond me.


 42 · Gamesmaster G9 on March 11, 2005 03:25 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

This wasn't shown at the SASA conference, it was shown at the SASA 2005 Show, put on by Northwestern University's SASA chapter, which is ABCD-dominated. I actually attended the show, and this video was what started the program. If you thought that was offensive, you should have read the brochures.

PS - I don't think it was offensive - just catering to the taste of the audience.


 43 · Al Mujahid on March 11, 2005 09:25 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

"If you thought that was offensive, you should have read the brochures"
What was in the brochure ?
Salivates ;)


 44 · Gamesmaster G9 on March 11, 2005 12:34 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Basically describing the three types of FOBs (in their opinion) - the wannabe macho man, the Bollywood freak, and the studious PhD student.


 45 · rajesh on March 11, 2005 12:45 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Based on what you say is in this brochure, it sounds like Northwestern University's SASA Chapter is being run by some puerile jackasses.


 46 · Bystander on March 11, 2005 05:41 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

I'm not quite sure why you guys are hating on the video so much. It was in no way intended to make fun of immigrant indians, especially when all of our parents (including the guys who made the video) are immigrants. Had you actually been at the show, you would have seen that their next skits included mockeries of boy bands and kids with multiple face piercings, as well as a cute remake of a scene from 'dil chahta hai,' without making fun of it. Even more so, is it really that untrue when they rap about outsourcing and jobs going to india? - at least they worded it creatively. And while they indeed mocked stereotypes, they weren't very offensive in the manner that they did it (come on, "i am the boss, of ms-dos"...is that really insulting to anyone?) I think all these comments about the video stemming from FOB hatred and self-loathing are a result of people seeking and over-analyzing controversy in a place where no such issues even exist. These are not intolerant, ignorant boys who wrote this - they are aware, clever, and talented guys who were just trying to be funny, and they succeeded in doing so. The real fools out there will be the ones who watch this video and think it to be more than a joke.


 47 · Manish Vij on March 11, 2005 05:44 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)
I'm not quite sure why you guys are hating on the video so much.
Welcome to the Internet. Here's your orientation packet.

 48 · funnystuff on March 11, 2005 07:42 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

hey--just wondering how do you guys know it's northwestern's SASA?

i found it hilarious--thats what's good about our culture, we enjoy our own humor and its just some fun humor


 49 · Lame on March 11, 2005 08:19 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)
hey--just wondering how do you guys know it's northwestern's SASA?

Straight from the self-hating xenophobes' mouth. I got this email from one of them:

Hello Everyone,

My name is Himal Agarwal and I am a student at Northwestern University. Recently, I hosted the South Asian Students Alliance show at my school with two friends. In our opening video we made a parody of Snoop's "Drop it Like its Hot" and called it "Drop it Like a Fob." This video has been circulating a bit and some of you may have seen it already. Below is the link where you can watch this short video if you are interested. Thanks and enjoy.

http://homepage.mac.com/rbaruah/.cv/rbaruah/Movies/Drop%20It%20Like%20a%20FOB.mov-link.mov
Himal Agarwal
h-agarwal@northwestern.edu


 50 · Saurav on March 11, 2005 11:47 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Bystander, I'm trying to be on good behavior but there's one thing you wrote that I have to respond to:

It was in no way intended to make fun of immigrant indians...

Wow!

If you believe that, I've got a bridge on sale at E-bay (no reserve!).


 51 · people!! on March 12, 2005 12:41 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

i think its funny, it may be mean but immigrants also make fun of us. How did we get the "ABCD" title? Most degrade us more than we would of them, labelling us as sleezy, cultureless, no moral values.. and so on... Most bollywood movies portray us as someone that would not even fit into the community, as an outcast. and most often seen as the vilians.


 52 · Puratchi on March 12, 2005 12:50 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

There are a couple of things that need to be considered here. In any instance a pejorative is invoked, or an epithet is hurled, any form of emotional hurt that afflicts the person at the receiving end is very real. The jocular response of telling them to lighten up tends to reveal two things, firstly, the acknowledgement that something abrasive had been said, but should be dismissed or seen solely for its amusement value and devoid of implications. In essence, it is an attempt at decontextualizing it. The other, is the more overt delegitimization of the recipient's discord.
The etymology of "fob" is unclear, but intuitively it refers to those who arrive on American soil by sea. By extension, this would have been used to disparagingly describe either early Irish and Italian immigrants by a predominantly Puritan America, or later in the 20th century towards Cubans, or the boat people of Vietnam who literally washed up upon the shores of Hong Kong, Chiang-Mai, and Terengganu. Obviously it is used as a nefarious allegory towards people who arrive destitute, under duress, or both. Fob also characterizes the people's inability, refusal, or plain refrainment from conforming to new societal norms. It is obvious that it is this language that has been co-opted by most immigrant communities in the later half of the 20th century, and comes from a point of privilege and power. By having been born and naturalized in this country, they reassert their privilege, and reaffirm their power over their own kind who struggle with the simplest things like strange intonation and voice inflexions. In a desperate attempt at reconciling with this new cultural and existential dissonance, these new immigrants would either attempt to marginally adopt their new culture, like in speech which is usually impossible due to its ingrained nature, or revert to only what they know. Ultimately, both these coping mechanisms work to their detriment as far as their inter-personal dynamics with their naturalized peers go, because it forms the basis of which their derision is forged and perpetuated.
The notion of reverse-disparagement, the portrayal of NRIs as confused and audacious individuals in Indian cinema, does not hold up entirely, for this simple reason; the portrayals of NRIs is fictitious, the portrayals of FOBs is malicious. Anyone who has watched Indian cinema would not be hard pressed to concede that it is by no means an accurate account of reality (and therein lies its charm). Fixed linear plot trajectory is compromised time and again (Mumbai one minute, Mattehorn the next, nuff said), so naturally the collective validity in the portrayal of every character is non-existent, from the burly hero to the bumbling NRI. However, the same rhetoric cannot be employed with the "Drop it Like a Fob" video, because it shrouds its malicious intent with the cloak of satire. Although satire in its refined form is self-deprecating humor, that is not the case here because there exists the "us and them" dichotomy within the social context, "us" being the hip, urban, and synthetically endemic, "them" being the socially awkward, geeky, and pressed hair foreigners. The video merely serves as a tool of ridicule, and reinforces the power dynamic.
Of course, the most incensing feature of the video, is how it categorically eschews social consciousness by dropping gems like "Immigration comes to get you, marry like a fob..". In a time when the rampant subjugation of South Asians and people of color is done with the cover of immigration and security, the video posits a very simple solution to the infringement of civil liberties, by marriage to a citizen, which yet again invokes the power dynamic via dependency, ensconced deep within the subconscious. If only this sad attempt at humor was done with at least a modicum of sensitivity, it would have been palatable at best, yet still way off mark on amusing.


 53 · sd on March 12, 2005 02:00 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

"Why is everyone hating on this video..."

Well, if we remained silent, it's safe to say the "FOBs" would then believe all us ABCDs share the same funny-bone. But we don't and therein lies the point: don't use one of us to label all us and we won't either.

It's about mutual respect and if not that, maybe just realize that FOB-jokes had their heyday with Chico and the Man and died with Margaret Cho.

Now, if it were some midriff-baring Aunty singing "I don't think you're ready for this jelly..." or a NYC taxi-driver singing "I'm Singh Baby, yes I'm the real desi... Will the real Singh desi please stand up?" ...

Then we could do business.


 54 · Punjabi Boy on March 12, 2005 05:47 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)


American and British and Canadian Desis have been hated on FOR YEARS WITHOUT COMMENT!!!

We took it like men.

Some people cant take a joke.


 55 · RC on March 12, 2005 08:04 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

By making the stupid video the American Born juvenile jackasses just gave credence to one their own stereotypes (of bigotry against FOBs) There is no cure for stupid


 56 · Tejasvi on March 12, 2005 12:28 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

I asked my 'dogg' how I should respond to references that these creative satirists are being called 'purile jackasses', she licked herself and left the room.

This is all really too much. It's gotten to the point now that people can't be called fat, for fear of insulting fat people, and people can't be called slow runners or low jumpers, or some guy who just sucks at basketball can't be told so becuase his 'feeling's might be hurt.

I think that people should first develop a slightly thicker skin to these kinds of thing. I find little difference betweeen this video and weird al yankovic. These folks simply took a popular song and placed some well placed, and often funny lyrics to them. Tell me the truth, how many people do you know who have gone to India and gotten married in a week so that they can bring their wife here w/ a greencard? I know at least a couple. The point is that the FOB and ABCD have different social customs and mores, and making fun of one another is a fabulous way of bridging gaps and not isolating ourselves.

I would love to hear a video response to us second-gen Indians who think we are black, listen to hip-hop, go to Ivy-league schools and don't know how to kiss (reference to sepia posts)

In the end, the most important thing to do is just have a little sense of humor and realize that bagging on people because they are different is part of....my dogg is back in the room and I have to go.


 57 · RC on March 12, 2005 12:42 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

FOB and ABCD have different social customs and mores, and making fun of one another is a fabulous way of bridging gaps and not isolating ourselves.

>> bridging gap by making fun of them (in a way telling them how we are different from you and better than you) .. this is a new one :-))


 58 · tutti on March 12, 2005 01:08 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

why do u guys care so much it's a simple joke


 59 · Jeff on March 12, 2005 01:17 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Have you guys heard of MC VIKRAM? He has actually made some songs about fobs also, but the thing is I know the guy personally and he has a ton of fob friends that think his songs are hilarious. Believe me, he doesn't try to offend anybody by making these songs because the stuff that he talks about on his songs, he used to be and act that way himself. The reason why he's talking about it is because he's making a display of before his partial assimilation to the American culture. He's a really good friend of mine and he just loves getting people to laugh.

-Jeff


 60 · funnystuff on March 12, 2005 04:20 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Well, have you guys seen russell peters? you all would hate him...the only reason he made it into the comedy industry is through his jokes on all kinds of fobs!


 61 · rajesh on March 12, 2005 04:54 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)
It's gotten to the point now that people can't be called fat, for fear of insulting fat people

Yeah, I know what you mean. What's next - not being being able to call homosexuals 'faggots' anymore for fear of insulting their delicate egos? Or not being able to call the mentally retarded 'tards' while beating your chest repeatedly with the side of your hand? That would be a sad state of affairs, indeed.

I find little difference betweeen this video and weird al yankovic.

I agree completely.

should respond to references that these creative satirists are being called 'purile jackasses'

Sarcasm aside, I admit, calling them 'puerile jackasses' was over the top. I don't know these guys and it's possible they were just trying to do something fun, and like I said before I don't think this was malicious. I will try to be less judgemental in the future.


 62 · khar on March 12, 2005 08:14 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

u guys suck


 63 · Hardginger on March 12, 2005 08:40 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

"u guys suck"

some of us think an inch-deep, the rest think deeper. so, get your peanut-butter out of my chocolate.


 64 · Ballbeer on March 12, 2005 08:40 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

and stop hating on the haters.


 65 · krish on March 13, 2005 04:33 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

u guys a jipped!
its a parody and its damn creative!
and it definately is humourous!!
u's need to get a grip and stop acting like a bunch of goras who think everything is offensive!

THANK YOU COME AGAIN!


 66 · Al Mujahid on March 13, 2005 09:17 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

I dont think making jokes about FOB's is malicious per se. All jokes need to be considered on a case to case basis before they are classified as malicious. At the same time nor are all jokes not malicious. Some jokes are malicious or racist and they should be called as such.
I am however not a big fan of Margaret Cho. I dont have a problem with her making jokes about her once FOB family and mocking the accents of Korean FOBs. However what I dont like is the fact that when she pretends to speak like her family or a Korean FOB she starts squinting her eyes ( which is just weird because her eyes are already squinted, so she doesnt need to squint them anymore to look more 'asian') Anyway I find her squinting of eyes a little disturbing. Thats not making fun of people's accent. Thats making fun of the physical features of a whole race. Its akin to an African American comedian, inflating his nostrils or puffing up his lips, when he is pretending to speak like they do in the hood.


 67 · Aaditya on March 13, 2005 11:07 AM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

i'll tell you what this is - this is insane and disgusting. You guys wouldnt probably think so cuz u are groomed in a culture of insult invasion, WE ARE NOT

This shit right here is RACIST - just cuz u indian americans lost ur fucking identity to acting like black and/or white folks doesnt mean u bitches can patronize us with not being into all that crap - and fuck..if u actually do .. then u are more pathetic then i thought u guys were ..

HECK YEA .. .I AM PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN... WHY...cuz where i come from everyone has an identity and a sense of pride in that culture, which was, is and will be much richer than anything this bhenchot country will ever have.


 68 · aguy on March 13, 2005 12:31 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

haha, this country is the richest in the world, but whatever. do you not have any humor? these guys are just messing around, and it's a pretty funny video.

there's a fine line between pride in your own culture/race and just being arrogant and too defensive about it. some of you guys seriously need to watch comedy central or go watch a comedy movie


 69 · Malaika on March 13, 2005 01:10 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

hey lol.. dis wuz pretty gud tri tuh compare de real vid to deze Gz hahaha! its jkz


 70 · Harvin on March 13, 2005 02:26 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

the video is pretty funny...lyrics are great...check out our south asian comedy website www.pariandharvin.com and our rendition of "drop it like its chaat"...mind you we had never seen or heard of drop it like its fob...but i think it was cool


 71 · Harvin on March 13, 2005 02:27 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

here is the direct link to the video:
http://www.pariandharvin.com/videos/gwa_2005/snoopinder/snoopinder.wmv


 72 · Hardginger on March 13, 2005 05:20 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

"...and it definately is humourous!!"

Uh, Krish can't spell.


 73 · Ballbeer on March 13, 2005 05:21 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

If he could maybe we'd understand what he's talking about.


 74 · anoop fan on March 13, 2005 05:22 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

you guys are all retarded, this vid was funny as hell lighten up and pull the stick out of your ass


 75 · Joe on March 13, 2005 05:49 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

Where can I get the lyrics for this


 76 · Saurav (speaking on behalf of Saurav) on March 13, 2005 06:45 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

wow...drop it like it's chaat is so much more subtle and inclusive than drop it like a fob (despite the weird transgendered stereotype dancing in the background of whatever that was). maybe you can give lessons to the drop it like it's fob kids.


 77 · K.R. on March 13, 2005 07:17 PM · Direct link · “Quote”(?)

"you guys are all retarded, this vid was funny as hell lighten up and pull the stick out of your ass"

Son, you're grounded, go to your room. And tell your friends that until they learn how to read, write and speak, they can't come over anymore.


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