From The Peopling of New York City

Response to Interview 1

My first interview with Parochial Vicar David Fairwhether had both advantages and disadvantages. One of the benefits included increasing awareness about the Christian-Hindu riots and opening the Reverend’s eyes to being more in touch with what is happening in this community. Also, I learned more about the role that the church plays into the lives of parishioners. People confide in pastors and church officials when discussing familial matters and conflicts back home. I had hoped to gain a deeper understanding of Christian South Asian families. Although I began to dig deep into the heart of religious tensions in the church, Reverend Fairwhether denied my interest in such personal matters. He began to stutter, hesitate and avoid my questions about tension just as I began to reach the peak of the interview. Of course, I had expected that this would not be an easy task and finding answers to such delicate questions would be difficult.

This first interview has helped me discover my focus in this research project in terms of who would be more open and honest about such sensitive questions: someone who is more knowledgeable and familiar with the religious riots directly. My next interview would be an Indian family in Jackson Heights that can more candidly speak about any personal conflicts or tension between fellow South Asians of differing religions. Also, getting a firsthand account on the situation from an Indian family that must interact with South Asians of varying religions on a daily basis would reveal any underlying tensions of the neighborhood in tone and dialogue. --Yzakiniaeiz 17:32, 6 April 2009 (UTC)