At some point in the news reporting I realized first that the word Canada is never used. It is always reported that International Indian Film Academy Awards is visiting "North America for the first time". Once or twice is fair usage but when I consistently see and hear such an omission of the host country's name... ?
That isn't even what prompted this entry.
Jermaine Jackson is a musical performer for the IIFA Rocks fashion show at the Ricoh Coliseum. Say what? When MJ, Michael Jackson was alive, he had never visited this entire country (!) except for a single 'world tour' show in 1984. I don't know whether his brother Jermaine has appeared here besides during that one family performance. We have an extraordinary amount of cross border movie and television activity; yet I have not heard of Jermaine (or any other Jackson family performers) having otherwise visited Toronto or anywhere else in upper North America Canada throughout the past quarter century.
Why wouldn't IIFA hire a local music talent? Triumph is an example of a major Canadian success story and is from this region as well. They had even reunited a couple years ago at our national music awards telecast. Plus, their song lyrics are often as positive as any Bollywood Musical Number's.
Looking for an entertainer that is more dance-oriented? We have those too.
This is Canada. We spared soldiers to India during WWII in case of an attack there, from the Japanese who had taken over across the Far East. Are there broadcast television channels in New York City or Chicago or Atlanta etc., also dedicated to airing programs, news, and films about and from India and the entire South Asian region? Here there is and for over twenty years at that.
We have hundreds of thousands of South Asians living in Canada, all free to worship, to live work raise families and celebrate, and to promote or protest any of their causes publicly.
The least IIFA organizers could do is refer to CANADA more than "North America", and include a leading Canadian musical act over a non-visiting American*.
* Donny Osmond would have made for a great, and family friendly, American born choice. He has previously worked right here in Toronto (!) and continues to make music performances in Canada - including an appearance with his sister Marie in only a few weeks' time.
That isn't even what prompted this entry.
Jermaine Jackson is a musical performer for the IIFA Rocks fashion show at the Ricoh Coliseum. Say what? When MJ, Michael Jackson was alive, he had never visited this entire country (!) except for a single 'world tour' show in 1984. I don't know whether his brother Jermaine has appeared here besides during that one family performance. We have an extraordinary amount of cross border movie and television activity; yet I have not heard of Jermaine (or any other Jackson family performers) having otherwise visited Toronto or anywhere else in upper North America Canada throughout the past quarter century.
Why wouldn't IIFA hire a local music talent? Triumph is an example of a major Canadian success story and is from this region as well. They had even reunited a couple years ago at our national music awards telecast. Plus, their song lyrics are often as positive as any Bollywood Musical Number's.
Looking for an entertainer that is more dance-oriented? We have those too.
This is Canada. We spared soldiers to India during WWII in case of an attack there, from the Japanese who had taken over across the Far East. Are there broadcast television channels in New York City or Chicago or Atlanta etc., also dedicated to airing programs, news, and films about and from India and the entire South Asian region? Here there is and for over twenty years at that.
We have hundreds of thousands of South Asians living in Canada, all free to worship, to live work raise families and celebrate, and to promote or protest any of their causes publicly.
The least IIFA organizers could do is refer to CANADA more than "North America", and include a leading Canadian musical act over a non-visiting American*.
* Donny Osmond would have made for a great, and family friendly, American born choice. He has previously worked right here in Toronto (!) and continues to make music performances in Canada - including an appearance with his sister Marie in only a few weeks' time.
No comments:
Post a Comment