Steve answers “Does anyone else think Mr. Simmons...”

Gordon Grant asked this question about Song of Kali:

Does anyone else think Mr. Simmons demonstrates a streak of racism in this book? The uniformly vile description of India and all the people he encounters there in contrast to the idyllic visions of Vermont, Colorado and his lovable, New Yorker friend Abe leaves a sour, xenophobic taste in my mouth.

Steve Simmons writes of 1977 Calcutta when, according to Wikipedia: "During the 1960s and 1970s, severe power shortages, strikes and a violent Marxist–Maois…moreSimmons writes of 1977 Calcutta when, according to Wikipedia: "During the 1960s and 1970s, severe power shortages, strikes and a violent Marxist–Maoist movement by groups known as the Naxalites damaged much of the city's infrastructure, resulting in economic stagnation. The Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 led to a massive influx of thousands of refugees, many of them penniless, that strained Kolkata's infrastructure." Wikipedia also notes that "...the city's economic recovery gathered momentum after the 1990s when India began to institute pro-market reforms. Since 2000, the information technology (IT) services sector has revitalized Kolkata's stagnant economy. The city is also experiencing marked growth in its manufacturing base." So, if this information is at all accurate, one would not find the absolute hellhole Simmons describes if one were to visit the city today. Though, with global warming wreaking havoc on the entire planet, I imagine the nightmarish weather Simmons describes has improved any.(less)

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