Dhakians vs. Sylhetis

In Brick Lane Monica Ali deals with the many issues that come with the mixing of cultures in a globalized world. Although Ali does a good job of displaying the many differences between the Bangladeshi culture and that of the U.S. she also shows how they share human similarities. Although the U.S. has a more materialistic society the Bangladeshis are not so different in that both have social classes. All countries in the world are based on a system of classes. In the U.S. there are the rich and the poor just as there are in Bangladesh. Money does not have everything to do with it; there is something to be said for sub cultures that define your place in society.  In Both cultures Ali points out that there exists discrimination: “is it better than our own country, or is it worse? If it is worse, then why is he here? If it is better, then why does e complain?” (47) The difference between the two however is the groups that are being discriminated. In the U.S., the Bangladeshis are seen as foreigners and are stereotyped as all being poor and uneducated. It is for this reason that Chanu claims he cannot get the promotion he deserves. “If they see us rise then they are resentful because we have left our proper place… the middle classes are more secure and therefore more relaxed” (21) this would make Chanu out to be the victim to be pitied. Ali points out however that this same sort of social structure and discrimination exists Within the Bangladeshi community. In Bangladesh, Dhaka is the metropolitan capitol where Chanu is from while Sylhet is located in the north-east on the edge of the country. Chanu not only uses all his degrees to make himself feel important however he also uses his association with other Dhakians to make him better compared to others. Chanu show that within Bangladesh there is the same unjust dynamic. For example: “this area is very respectable. None of your Sylhetis here. If you see a brown face you can guarantee it’s not from Sylhet” (73) Here Chanu blatantly classifies being of Sylheti origin as being lower than himself just as many in the U.S.  see the Bangladeshis to be below them. Through this parallel Ali bring s up an interesting question of racism. Although In this book the Bangladeshis seem to be the victims the truth is that all people not just the whites are racist. Ali shows that we all want to believe we are better than others and that we deserve things more therefore we try to seek out a group to blame. This is well outlined in Chanu’s desire to return home: “Here I am only a small man, but there… I could be big.” (93) Ali suggests that racism and discrimination stems not from actual hate for the “other” but from the human desire to progress and make something better of one’s life.