Over the weekend, we saw a controversy unfold. In his new web series, called the ‘Anwernama’, Anwar Maqsood in one of the episodes interviews a Sindhi.
In an attempt to highlight a social issue, Anwar Maqsood also indulged in what we today identify as stereotyping
The Sindhi shown in Maqsood sb’s interview is a person who violates the law of the land and indulges in corrupt practices in order to run away from the responsibilities of earning a livelihood and keeps getting money by cheating the system in place.
People were quick to point out that the episode was an attempt to generalize the Sindhi population, which is very diverse in nature
Shame on you Mr. Anwar Maqsood.
This is biased and shameful. An artist shouldnt demonstrate his/her ethnic bias . Targeting whole Sindhi community is shameful. Racist ! #AnwarMaqsood— Sadiq Shoro (@sadiq_shoro) April 22, 2018
#AnwarMaqsood
He is so biased
He didn't give any positive gestures about sindhi's in his whole fucks…— WaHaB Soomro (@SoomroWahab1) April 22, 2018
#AnwarMaqsood Don't know why some media mockers show the face of a sindhi wadera or a currupt plitician, when sindh is filled with generious lovely people.
— Aqeel ahmed (@get2aqeelz) April 22, 2018
After listening an interview with a Sindhi an skit of #AnwarMaqsood one can say loudly that he is not an comedian or artist but a disgusting jerk full of racist shit. #ShameAnwarMaqsood
— Sadiq Bhanbhro (@Sbhanbhro) April 22, 2018
Many others also rightly pointed out that it was not considered controversial to indulge in such humor back in his younger days. They felt that it should not be a big deal today and people should learn to loosen up a bit
Learn to laugh at yourself and try not to overthink. It will help you to be less miserable as a person… #AnwarMaqsood is not racist.
— Uzair (@Uzair_Afaq) April 23, 2018
Hold on!
Why has everybody become so unnecessarily sensitive over humor? LOL cannot take it when someone points out the weakness in you. Better go fix it. #AnwarMaqsood 's contribution to art is way more than your entire existence. Stop disrespecting a legend— Sundus Asif (@SundusAsif) April 23, 2018
The problem, however, is that times have changed now. What was considered humorous in those days is now not so anymore. Labels such as racism and stereotyping have become prominent discussions
Both of these phenomenons are known to effect the lives of individuals because people consuming this content might actually emulate it in real life. While it was ok to stereotype an ethnicity or a particular group of people, in today’s world no one indulges in such a behaviour because we give everyone the space to be who they want to be and not generalize notions to the point that they start affecting the lives of individuals.
There is a thin line between racism and stereotyping for the sake of humour #AnwarMaqsood treaded the line for years, racism was funny back then, people have evolved, racism is not funny anymore.
— Mooroo (@Mooroo4) April 22, 2018
The reason why such backlash was witnessed was because artists and performers are expected to keep pace with the changes in the society
Thinkers, writers, poets, artists, intellectuals are mean to be reformists for society, nation, world/universe. But #AnwarMaqsood’s myopic thinking vindicates that he has not grown up intellectually yet. #PoorAnwarMaqsood https://t.co/q2a7jO5tN6
— Pirah Mangi (@pirahmangi) April 22, 2018
It is important for them to be sensitized to be able to respect sentiments, not misrepresent anyone and not indulge in stereotyping because it is merely an act of disrespect. This particular case will also push other artists to realize the sphere they work in now, the kind of access the public has and the need to be objective in their narrative creation.
It is also true that the work of Anwar Maqsood has always been reflective of the society. The aim has always been to push the masses to change
While no one can dare doubt the authenticity and dedication of purpose, the matter of fact is that times have changed now. Even if artists want to indulge in societal critique or critique of the system in place via satire or comedy, it has to adapt to modern techniques in order to ensure that no one is disrespected.
Truth is always hard to digest, by the way we Pakistanis never accept our faults and that is the main reason behind our destruction. This man speaking very true that actually remained PPP policy #AnwarMaqsood
— Abu Bakr Waqas (@MalikABbiotech) April 22, 2018
Hold on!
Why has everybody become so unnecessarily sensitive over humor? LOL cannot take it when someone points out the weakness in you. Better go fix it. #AnwarMaqsood 's contribution to art is way more than your entire existence. Stop disrespecting a legend— Sundus Asif (@SundusAsif) April 23, 2018
To all the people who thinks that #AnwarMaqsood is a racist, don't know what being racist is all about. For decades, he has shown the true face of people of Pakistan. Previously, the nation used to take that as constructive criticism. But now, they think they are the best nation
— Farrukh Nizam (@farrukh_nizam) April 22, 2018
#AnwarMaqsood A Big LOL for all trying to say this as racist. I think he is showing the true face of what is going in Sindh from Ages
— Zia Nasir (@Z_nasir1) April 22, 2018
This controversial video as well shows the amount of importance artists now need to give to their words. Had the video been phrased properly, people would have realized that it was not a generalization rather an attempt to show one of the many aspects of the Sindhi life. There is no denying that such issues exist, however, their treatment now needs to change if they are going to be adopted by artists.
This particular event points out how far we have come as a society
There was a time when it was considered perfectly normal to indulge in racism and stereotyping. And since that was the norm, we are often left with the question whether or not to witness history with today’s frame of reference. While that is up for debate, what is evident is that we have come a long way. We are at a point in history where we realize the sensitivities of people, we are starting to talk about the diversity of life, and we are pushing people to be better versions of themselves.
The same issue was faced by a lot of FRIENDS fans, recently when younger audience found many of the jokes, particularly aimed at Chandler and Ross, as homophobic and archaic for current time.
The fact that Mr. Maqsood apologized goes to show he is willing to learn and be adaptive, as an artist and anyone who is willing to accept their mistakes and genuinely learn should be welcomed
Apology should always be welcomed! It’s a lesson for others too! Let’s respect all languages and diverse idientitues! #AnwarMaqsood
— Aadi (@longtahalimain) April 22, 2018
He represents a generation which is perhaps in need of catching up, so that the art itself does not die. And this incident is not about targeting a particular person, rather about encouraging change. So the next time you have a conversation about it, instead of being the judge of someone’s character; focus more on what we need to change and the role you and I can play in it.
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