*Indian Kiss
Richard Gere is in big trouble for his public 'Indian' kiss earlier
this month. Richard sparked outrage among the communities of India
when he gave a smooch to Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty at an
HIV-Awareness event in New Delhi.
The kiss, which Shilpa didn't seem to mind so much, was a few
exaggerated pecks on the actress' cheek, but it angered the people
of India. It is not the same there as it is in America, so the
people protested the kiss, and a court judge issued an arrest
warrant for the American actor for violating India's Public
Obscenity Laws.
The judge who issued the warrant said the kiss "transgressed all
limits of vulgarity," according to published reports.
If you've ever watched movies of India, they never show kissing. No
one has public displays of affection in India, because it is
considered to be obscene, inappropriate, and vulgar. Yes, they
over-reacted - how could Richard have possibly known that kissing a
woman on the cheek would cause an uproar? It's ok in America, so he
assumed it's ok everywhere else.
While it really wasn't Richard's fault, he apologized to all who
were offended in statement issued by the 'Heroes Project', an
organization Richard Gere co-founded to fight AIDS in India: "What
is most important to me is that my intentions as an HIV/AIDS
advocate be made clear, and that my friends in India understand
that it has never been, nor could it ever be, my intention to
offend you."
"If that has happened, of course it is easy for me to offer a
sincere apology."
The communities of India need to be more understanding. Richard
didn't know any better, and his organization and help should not go
overlooked over a kiss.
