While reading the introduction and chapter two of this week’s assigned text, I found myself appreciating the balanced perspectives that Jegathesan presents. In chapter two, Jegathesan delves into the topic of language, drawing on historical narratives to reveal the viewpoint that colonizers held and strived to normalize. The discussion extends to the consequences of portraying laborers as inferior and the implications of such a stance. Jegathesan contrasts this by portraying an alternative perspective, particularly through the anecdote of a female laborer dismissed and sent home. This incident is used to illustrate a missed opportunity for the supervisor to ‘understand why she is laughing,’ highlighting how such actions inadvertently fostered a sense of solidarity among the Tamil community (pg 60). In terms of the pure format of the text, I found it to be very helpful to really understand what was happening and where things moved from there. I also found it interesting to think about how these different actions are perpetuating curated narratives at the same time that I also learn about them for the first time.
I found myself also thinking about language and how the language that is used as a tool for oppression is also used to uplift. Specifically in the areas where the language is used incorrectly and how these moments can be both.