Vindaloo vocation currying favour

25 Jan 2010, 3:15 pm   -   Source: SBS - Shalailah Medhora
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Is the humble Indian curry the answer to stopping racial violence

Is the humble Indian curry the answer to stopping racial violence

They say food brings people together, and one Melbourne woman is working on just that as a way of denouncing racial violence in the city.

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They say food brings people together, and one Melbourne woman is working on just that as a way of denouncing racial violence in the city.

Mia Northrop has organised an event called Vindaloo Against Violence, which urges Melburnians to dine at their local Indian restaurant on February 24th as a way to show solidarity with the city's Indian community.

"The idea is simply for everyday people to come together to support their immigrant communities in a very Melbourne way: through great food," Ms Northrop writes on her website.

"Let’s signal to the Indian media and other international observers that everyday Australians do not accept racially motivated violence and racism."

The User Experience Consultant thought up the concept after returning home from living overseas.

'Horrifying' reports

She had seen the reports coming out of her home city and was 'horrified' at the idea of Australians being portrayed as racist thugs.

The 35-year old, who isn't of Indian heritage, set up the event shortly afterwards.

"The final straw came after reading The Age this weekend and seeing how some members of the Indian community were living in fear," Ms Northrop told SBS.

"I felt so helpless... what can we do?"

The initiative has already attracted a strong following, with a Facebook event going out to more than 1,600 people in just over 24 hours.

A twitter page on the event has also been created.

Twitter user indianfoodguide likened the non-violent approach as similar to that of Indian independence advocate Mahatma Gandhi.

Another user, TheToySociety, says the event should be held in other Australian cities.

"Just in Melbourne?" they write. "Can we do it in Sydney too?"

Ms Northrop denies she has any commercial reasons for putting on the event.

"I just thought the idea was really accessible for people who don't necessarily think of themselves as political," she says.
 

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Mrs.

Bharti - from Dingley, 2 years ago

What a graet idea.....Ms. Northrop. People who are making fuss about this idea ask them to come up with one of their own. It is so easy to be critical about others. After all of these " Racist " attacks on our innocent indian student ... here we still trying to be hospitable. For those who r thinking it's a great marketing idea ......" I GUESS THEY HYAVE NO CLUE HOW MUCH HARD WORK & EFFORT HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY REQUIRED" We r paying ur taxes & GST...so PPL can sit at home on dole

Great Idea

Kit - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

The best idea so far!!! Food unites all!!!! Enuf of bashing and more of eating....Cheers...

I'm with you, but . .

of the burbs - from earth, 2 years ago

I have a small, small problem. Of the four "Indian" restaurants in my vicinity, one is actually Pakistani, and 3 are run by Bangladeshis. There is a serious side to this. The average boofhead in Australia can't tell the difference between Indian, pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Nepali, Fijindian or Mauritian. I'm not sure how they pick Indians out for attack. POE PS One of the Bangladeshi establishments has the best food.

Vindaloo vs Violence

"Chookie" - from Gold Coast, 2 years ago

It is said "..ignorance breeds fear..." put both these together and it results in senseless attacks on innocent people, because they have different colour skin or accent..... VINDALOO .....any day! (Don't foget the yummy 'lussie' yougurt drink).

Let's support it

C.M. - from Sydney, 2 years ago

I personally dont think Australians are racist so I think this idea shows that Australians do care about this issue and that they want to make indians feel welcome in Victoria and everywhere in Australia. This is the 21st century so I feel that racism should now be a thing of the past so everyone could look to a brighter future.

are you people naive?

tim the enchanter - from auburn, 2 years ago

This buy a curry idea is a cynical grab for a dollar using the unfortunate death of an Indian national. We dont even know that it was a racially motivated attack.
Would Australians try to make a buck out of the Brit Lapthorne attack? I dont think so. How greedy, cynical and opportunistic are restauranters? Have they no shame? How dumb do the curry vendors think we are? Boycott Indian restaurants instead to show our disgust at this transparent grab for cash.

Ms

Annie Benfield - from Highett, Vic, 2 years ago

think this is a great idea! Any excuse for a great curry! We will be making a big booking at our fave Indian to support such a great cause! Should become a national event...............

Marketing genius

Con Anastasiou - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

Great marketing idea, Ms Northrop. Show solidarity with bashed people by enriching Indian restaurants. Here's an idea: guarantee that Indian restaurants in Melbourne will give a percentage of the take from any table identifying itself as responding to your idea to charity.

CURRY PRIDE!!!!!!!!!!

Cassie - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

That is the best idea any1 has come up with... Im Anglo-Indian but love my Indian food - has them almost everyday - if im lucky... lol CURRY PRIDE!!!!!!!!!!

Live Life !

Gilson - from Moonee Ponds, 2 years ago

That's really wonderful idea ! After all we all have come together from many countries to live life in one land -a wonderful land called Australia with wonderful people around. Let's unite and make Australia the most livable land on earth to- LIVE LIFE !

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