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If our Bollywood party isn't a celebration and appreciation of Bollywood culture, I don't know what is. How many of you have seen a popular Bollywood film (or 10)? How many of you regularly listen to Bollywood soundtracks, Najma, Bally Sagoo, Asha Bohsley, or even Ravi Shankar. I would guesss that the closest most people come to Ravi Shankar is Nora Jones. I would suspect that many have eaten some sort of Indian food, but have you eaten Dhosa for breakfast? (Not that I'm promising anything.)
The world is a large, varried and wonderful place. There are many takes on what's right, what's wrong, were you go after you die, what is appropriate in love and lust, how you celebrate holidays - why wouldn't ANYONE want to learn about, experience or celebrate these differences?
EVERY culture has it's extremists, those who feel that hate is the way to lead your life. No matter what culture they are attached to, I find them all very sad. But, I will never throw out the wonderful parts of a culture because of the extremists. That would only make me one of them.
This NYE, we will be celebrating the joy and color that is Bollywood and, by extention, the beauty, art, culture and cuisine of one of the most fascinating countries in the world. If someone finds this racist, then feel free to stay at home and comsume Wonder Bread and Tang.
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