"If you're Indian and you love to party..."
+ a guest writer returns!
Shelby here—
Everyone welcome back Vidha! As an avid fan, she enthusiastically volunteered to talk about The Office for our theme week. Vidha, the metaphorical floor is yours.
As Shelby stated in her piece yesterday, some people are OFFICE OBSESSED. Hi, I’m some people, and I am Office obsessed. I watched episodes of the show randomly as a middle-schooler, and re-watched the entire show when it debuted on Netflix. I have it running in the background while I cook, and chuckle at The Office outtakes on Youtube when I am down in the dumps and need a laugh. My younger brother and I have a long-standing tradition of watching Kevin Malone spill his chili together anytime I travel back to visit my family, and I frequently peruse Dunderpedia for additional nuggets of The Office wisdom. As a child, I wondered if the corporate world was anything like The Office. As an adult, I can confirm that in fact, it is (having spent hours comparing my real cube-mates to those on TV). I guess you could say I'm one of many “World’s Best Fans”.
In 2006, Mindy Kaling wrote the single most memorable piece of The Office that I have had the privilege of witnessing—the infamous “Diwali” episode. 15 years later, and the piles of shoes on the floor of the school hallway, the chubby aunties gossiping in the back corner, and the jarringly bright-colored outfits and decorations still hold a special place in my heart, bringing back fond memories of my own childhood as a nerdy Indian kid celebrating Hinduism in the ‘burbs. Kaling captures the beauty of Diwali and the characteristic cringe of our favorite characters in one hilarious and heartwarming episode. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Diwali, it is, as Dwight Schrute so effortlessly describes, “a celebration of the coronation of the god-king Rama after his epic battle with Ravana, the demon king of Lanka”, or essentially, the triumph of good over evil. The term Diwali itself stems from the Sanskrit Deepawali, which translates to rows of lighted lamps. What Diwali is not, is a costume party, as world’s best boss Michael Scott initially assumes (thus cueing more laughs and shudders as we live vicariously through his ignorance).
The authenticity with which Kaling shows a typical Hindu holiday as it is celebrated by the Hindu / Indian diaspora in the United States is perhaps the most beautiful part of this episode. The spicy samosas, make-shift stages in a school gym, choreographed Bollywood dances, judgemental elders, and overall commitment to reality is evident throughout the episode. The Office’s “Diwali” is a perfect depiction of my lived experience. I remember dragging one of my best friends, Dallas, to our annual Janmashtami (another Hindu holiday) celebration at a conference center in Houston many moons ago, and did the same with my buddy Joe a few years later (just as Kelly dragged Ryan and her friends). I guarantee if you asked them what they experienced, it would be some combination of food, music, dancing, and moms trying to get their daughters hitched to the next available med student—aka the typical Indian event.
Kaling hits the nail on the head, or rather, dips the samosa in the chutney, with her portrayal of Kelly Kapoor’s experience as an Indian American who is trying to show her colleagues (and romantic interest) a piece of her colorful world, even when she doesn’t really know what is being celebrated. Some individuals may be taken aback at the comments or questions raised in this episode, but this comes from the general ignorance of its characters rather than the intention to offend. If you were to ask any young Hindu American, I am sure they have been faced with the “Do you pray to cows” and “Why do you have so many Gods” questions - proof positive that even to this day we have folks who have work to do in learning about others—myself included. This is yet another reason why I cherish this episode and this show so much—their exaggerated depiction of reality isn’t really that exaggerated.
By far the best part of these 30 minutes of hilarity is Michael Scott’s signature “Diwali Song,” where he concludes both the celebration and the episode with a phrase that I would happily get drunkenly tattooed on me: “If you're Indian and you love to party, have a happy, happy, happy, happy Diwali!” If we learn anything from this episode (and interactions with Indian-Americans and Hindu-Americans across the country), it is that Indians DO love to party, and we LOVE having a happy Diwali!
Shit We’re Loving: WATCH
Vidha’s Pick: “The Diwali Song”
The most iconic portion of this memorable and, as always in true Office style, cringey song!
Show Your Support: National Black Business Month
Founded in 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Fredrick E. Jordan Sr, National Black Business Month is focused on supporting and promoting Black-owned businesses while driving “the policy agenda affecting the almost 3 million African-American businesses.” Black business owners account for about 10 percent of U.S. businesses and about 30 percent of all minority-owned businesses. Instead of one specific charity, we’ve pulled together some online resources that put shopping Black-owned businesses right in your hands.
THE NILE LIST is an online directory of Black-owned businesses. The site knows a Black maker for everything on your list. Simply type in what you’re looking to buy (I searched “candles”) and an impressive list of online brands and stores pops up.
THE BLACK MALL is also an online businesses directory, but also a marketplace that connected the Black community with Black-owned businesses and products. They also cater to Black businesses that don’t have brick and mortar locations by hosting vendor or trade shows, called Ujamaa Markets.
Next time you feel that Leo shopping kick, check out this huge list of Black-owned businesses to find some awesome new places to shop. And, as always, check out your local neighborhood Black-owned businesses!
Daily Intention:
Today I will…
Wikipedia a holiday or custom from a culture/religion/country I have always been interested in learning about!
Here’s some nifty buttons for you to press, enjoy: