Is Heroes Racist? Someone Thinks So.

Sam · 09-30-2009, 01:53 AM

Got this email a few minutes ago. I don't know why she sent it to me. She either thinks I run the show (in which case she's really not that bright), or she wanted to vent. Either way, here it is in its entirety:

Quote:

Hello,

My name is Anjalee Verma and I watch Heroes. I am a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I watch Heroes. Or rather, WATCHED Heroes. My friends watch Heroes. We love the show.

However in the episode aired on Tuesday September 29, 2009 at 9pm, I witnessed Claire, the main character act in an atrociously ignorant manner. She went to lunch with her father and friend and they ordered indian food. The food, when described by claire, was reduced to colors. The names of dishes, when uttered by her father were intentionally mis-pronounced to justify an estrangement and alien nature of the food in general. And in addition to this, when her friend articulating that she was worried what to do about not enjoying the food, Claire advised her to simply spit it in the napkin. Prior to trying it whatsoever.

Why this appalling:
I'm indian. I'm a human being. I eat those dishes regularly. They are not dog food, much less colors. This is the unbelievably offensive to me in that Claire, the main beloved character of Heroes, is an ignorant fool.
This undoubtedly impacts the lens through which I view the show.
I no longer have any compassion towards her character.
She is an ignorant human being, not to mention disrespectful.
I'm articulating it this way, simply to ward off any creative license arguments that the writers may throw out in response to this.

This is a larger problem. It deals with the show itself. The quality is a reflection on the writers, producers, editors, the whole network itself. I'm not happy.

This is far from the last that you will be hearing about this illicit violation of taste and social responsibility that a show as widely broadcasted as Heroes as demonstrated.

Thank You,
Anjalee Verma

So what do you think? Is Heroes racist because it used Indian food for comedic purposes? This person thinks so.

Demolition · 09-30-2009, 02:18 AM

I don't think it is. It has plenty of races in it, I don't see how it's racist.
Just my oppinion.

The_Heroic_Loser · 09-30-2009, 02:59 AM

Yes, the show's writers hate all things Indian. That's why one of the main characters since the beginning has been an Indian man.

Demolition · 09-30-2009, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Heroic_Loser

Yes, the show's writers hate all things Indian. That's why one of the main characters since the beginning has been an Indian man.

OMG! Mohinder! wow, how could I forget him? >.>

Heliosphere · 09-30-2009, 08:33 AM

I don't think Heroes is racist, I think it just shows how deep the character of Claire is.

Claire is, in my opinion, one of the more immature/spoiled characters on the show, and that scene pretty much fit into her character. I wasn't upset with the show, I was just annoyed/offended at how dumb Claire was being. Her Father was obviously a fan of Indian food, and the fact that he mispronounced the dishes was probably because like most people who aren't Indian, he just mispronounced it! I have some Indian friends and even though I've heard them speak their language loads of times, I still can't properly pronounce any Hindi words for the life of me! I've been pretty happy with the show so far. I'm half-Japanese, so even though I have to admit that Hiro can be a little over the top sometimes with the Japanese-ness, I still love his character!

On top of that, Mohinder and Chandra Suresh are main characters, and the show has really displayed Indian culture positively.

I can understand how Ms. Verma was offended though, I was even a little taken aback at how close minded Claire and Gretchen were being over the food. It was embarrasing for their characters, and didn't add any good aspects to them at all. It just made me like Claire even less than I already did, and add a negative point to Gretchen's character.

Esquin · 09-30-2009, 08:33 AM

I can hate whatever food I like, doesn't make me racist.

benderboyboy · 09-30-2009, 12:01 PM

Agreeing with Esquin.

If this mail could qualify for failblog, I put it on now. However sadly, it doesn't.

Ogyn · 09-30-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

Got this email a few minutes ago. I don't know why she sent it to me. She either thinks I run the show (in which case she's really not that bright), or she wanted to vent. Either way, here it is in its entirety:

So what do you think? Is Heroes racist because it used Indian food for comedic purposes? This person thinks so.

Wait,I don't understand.Someone saw the site/forum and email to you ? xD And She thinks that you run the show ?! Where that came from xD ?

I hate chineese food so what i have to hate the people too ?Lol !
I'dont think 'Heroes' is racist : ) !

Sam · 09-30-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ogyn

Wait,I don't understand.Someone saw the site/forum and email to you ? xD And She thinks that you run the show ?! Where that came from xD ?

That would be my guess, yes. She's not the first. This actually happens a lot.

Heliosphere · 09-30-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ogyn

I hate chineese food so what i have to hate the people too ?Lol !
I'dont think 'Heroes' is racist : ) !

Hahaha, I know and agree with what you're saying! I still think you shouldn't talk about how much you hate someone's cultural food though, that might hurt their feelings. I don't like a lot of food, but I avoid ranting about how much I hate it.

I didn't even realize the lady emailed this site, that's kinda funny.