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For this project, our group devised a podcast that encompasses the ubiquity of Desi Elitism, alternatively called the burger culture, particularly in Pakistan and India. We briefly go over the history of colonialism in the subcontinent and the endless struggle of South Asians to unlearn their colonial hangover. We opted for the creative final project format because we used a lot of media representation of this culture and some satire that has sprung up, criticizing it for the manifestation of classism that it truly is.
Moreover, we decided to explore this topic because “burger” culture has so much scope for academic exploration in the context of postcolonialism and classism, but is rarely explored. It is of great importance because it propagates elitism and capitalist motives in society that stems directly from westernization. Our work will directly be tied down with Bell Hooks, Timothy Mitchell, and Ania Loobma’s readings exploring the persistence of colonialism and the ways in which it has grounded itself in South Asian society under the guise of globalization and the free market system.
Excellent… illuminating… wonderful use of images and narration.
Thank you so much! We really appreciate this!
It’s my first time to hear or know about the connection between the burger culture and Pakistan what an interesting topic to find out more about colonialization in Pakistan and how it’s related to burgers.
Glad you found it interesting!
I really enjoyed this project! it was very insightful to see how this culture originated and what it means in todays word. I really related to this project as I have grown up looking at “burger aunties!”
also loved the surprise in the video 😉
Thank you Mishaal and thanks for letting us film you for it! Red is such a loud colour indeed.
Interesting perspectives on “burgerism” and cultural appropriation in Pakistani society. I think this is a topic that goes relatively unnoticed. We tend to play off the term, “burger” as a joke but it has a certain context to it which builds from various cultural and historical accounts. I see that my feature has also made the final cut for your podcast, which i’m glad it did. Great job guys!
Thank you and thanks for your take on burger culture and for letting us film you!
BORGIR!
No but this video about the seemingly innocuous topic of burgers offers a greater incite between elitism, westernism that still perpetuates in South Asia.
My dad tells me of how this sort of “Burger Culture,” emerged in the past 20 years since the 2001 invasion in Afghanistan as the most elite and overpriced restaurant in Kabul was a British inspired Fish and Chips shop. As a sign of elitism, many young people would go to these types of restaurants in Kabul as a sign of social status when much more cheaper and tastier food was being made just a few blocks away. However the issue lied in the fact the food was Afghan and was much cheaper and less chic than the western inspired restaurants and cafe.
Good Podcast, 10/10
Thanks, Hasena! Your dad’s anecdote is actually really interesting and it’s even more interesting to see how food plays a role in colonial rhetoric.
I love the topic! I love how the topic is named Burgerism because it adds a touch of humor to a dark, problematic topic. I first thought the topic is more light because of the name, but now I realize it’s a great way to make the topic seem approachable.
You might like our Satire tab! A lot of comedians make a lot of content about this culture because approaching it with humour is really fun and makes conversations around it easy and comfortable
It was a very interesting topic that I had never heard about and I found your approach really creative. Thank you for your insightful information on a topic that is not that known about around the world.
Thank you so much for the kind words!
It’s a very interacting video, and topic discussed. I love that it’s an issue that I have never heard about and comes from personal experience and culture. On the other hand, the edit and the video made the podcast engaging and exciting to watch throughout because of the variety of techniques used.
Thank you, Shouq!
I really enjoyed listening to your podcast, it was eye-opening as I have never heard of this culture before. The video was great and I liked how it had videos and other imagery to engage the viewers even more.
My initial thought about this topic was that it would be the same as the terms “chicken nuggets,” or “mcChicken” here in Qatar. As those terms mean that we are “white-washed” or that we are not apart of the culture.
Good job on this podcast, it was great!
I think the best part of doing this project was that I am getting to learn so much about how similar words exist in other countries and cultures. I had no idea about the chicken nuggets or McChicken terms
I absolutely loved watching your video discussing burger culture in Pakistan, especially since I have also been curious about the particular term and behavior. I liked the inclusion of thoughts from other students and how insightful, open, and free the conversation flowed between Haleema and Sarah.
Thank you Tayyibah! Had you heard of the term before?
This was interesting to watch, when I first read the description about your topic I had a different perspective on what was going to be presented, I like how you guys worked together to present something that reflects on your own culture as well. This was educational and the link between the concept of the word burger and its background with post colonialism was something I never heard of. Great job guys!
This project was very insightful and educated me on topics I haven’t heard of before. The burger culture concept in Pakistan is new to me and I will continue further exploring after this project spiked my interest. Loved the podcast ! well done guys
Thanks a lot!
Hello guys! This podcast was very informative and very interesting. I knew from the very first what this talk is going to be about. But now I feel as though I am more informed on it. I believe that the “Burger culture” is in many countries but has a different term to it if it makes sense in a way? But anyways, thank you for sharing this project to the rest of us who are eager to learn more about it. It was honestly very informative, again, and very insightful. Well done!
Thanks a lot!