The question of identity

I've spent the past few weeks being examined by assorted medical greybeards and then, more interestingly, getting involved in this conference (Thanks to Sunny Hundal for the pdf).

Panellists involved the polymaths Paul Gilroy and Tariq Ramadan, the incisive Dinesh Bhugra, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (who left without debating her rather provocative ideas), Charles Husband and a galaxy of luminaries (refer pdf, if interested).

Paul Gilroy spoke of the inevitability of multiculturalism as a means of economic survival and how the experience of being a Black man in Hoxton has progressively changed for the better.Tariq Ramadan, a sparely elegant theorist, and a profoundly modern Islamic thinker, was the clear public favourite, coming in on both days and leading a breakout session on the second day- titled 'Multiple Identities- perceptions of the self'. Tariq spoke of Western politicians struggling to retain relevance in policy vacuums by creating a culture of fear (the world is full of terrorists, you aren't safe, let us protect you by taking away some more of your liberties, let's point fingers at any available aspect of non-Western life that appeal to the your basest fears e.g. the veil and hence, create some more resentment and some more terrorists so that we can remain relevant). Charles Husband spoke of the 'liberal' media's discomfiture with the sudden realization that minorities that used to be disempowered and therefore, could be benevolently patronized (you poor disempowered sod, come, let me hold your hand and lead you to a better place) are now on level terms in many areas of human activity. And actually competing, winning and buying up chunks of the economy, creating a profound internal tension that dare not speak it's name openly, but takes form in organized, subtle demonizations of the Other. He also, interestingly, pointed out how secularism can be as implacably dogmatic as any religion. Sunny and Tariq spoke of the impact of Globalization on social justice and the progressive marginalization of the White working class. Sunny also spoke of the poisonously reactionary culture of self-appointed, unrepresentative 'leadership' that bedevils ethnic minorities in Britain.Yasmin Alibhai-Brown spoke of the common threads between oppressions e. g. of religion and feminism. Dinesh Bhugra spoke of the profound impact of migration and social alienation on rates of mental illness in general and schizophrenia in particular, in people of all ethnicities across the board.

A common thread in my conversations throughout the conference, with people as disparate as English Professors of citizenship, Norwegian economists and South African journalists was the Idea of India as the classic multicultural template. Come to think of it, despite the constant sense of a society waiting to explode under the weight of its contradictions, we actually haven't, for well nigh 59 years, despite the best attempts of the retreating Empire, extreme Hindu nationalism, fanatic regionalism and opportunistic parochialism. Though, as the Lady, a veteran of conflicts, disasters and conferences of this sort, keeps telling me, we can't afford to be complacent at all. Absolutely. But still, there is something there to be proud about.

And finally, Tariq Ramadan asked us this profoundly searching question- in a globalized world, is the Question of Identity ever as simple as 'I am Western and you are not?' Or even 'I am a Muslim/Christian/Hindu/Buddhist/Rastafarian and you are not?'

No.

Not for me, nor for probably anyone at the Conference, for this was the idea that drew the most approval from this multicultural, international gathering of some of the most influential voices of these and coming times.

And so, let me try and list my identities as they come into my head-

1. I am a Londoner;

2. I am an Indian;

3. I am a health professional;

4. I am a doctor;

5. I am an academic;

6. I am an artist;

7. I am an athlete;

8. I am a tri-religionist; one by birth, another by upbringing, and a third by inclination;

9. I am a partner and a lover;

10. I am a man;

11. I am a socialist capitalist and democrat, in the sense that I believe that capitalism can be harnessed to ensure social justice;

12. I am an economist by aspiration;

13. I am a liberal and a libertarian; and finally (since I need to get some sleep)

14. I am also what each one of you see me as.

So, before I sign off, what are you?


P.S. We are trying to get a podcast of the Conference organized and I will link if this works out. If. Update: Until that happens, here is the New Generation Network's Manifesto on Race and Faith.