No matter what community leaders say this is the reality among some HOA members in the Bridges community of Irving, Texas.
Just a week ago community heads in Dallas, TX met and urged the Telugu population which forms the largest segment of the Indian community in the area to maintain social decorum and avoid causing inconvenience to fellow Americans through loud public celebrations, traffic issues and other disturbances.
The appeal came ahead of Diwali encouraging everyone to celebrate with caution.
However, the Bridges Community WhatsApp group was soon flooded with grievances about the noise and fear caused by fireworks. Residents complained that the loud crackers frightened children, elderly people and even pets.
One comment read, “Several houses on Clementine setting them off too. Non-stop for hours. I guess laws don’t count here.”
Another said, “Sounded like grenades and high-powered rifles going off all around our home over and over for the second night in a row.”
When questioned, some Telugu youths reportedly responded, “If such loud crackers are sold in the U.S. why blame us for buying them?”, a reply seen by many as deeply irresponsible.
Another Telugu social media user countered, “Let the U.S. stop its gun culture first, that’s more dangerous than Diwali crackers.”
Sadly it seems the advice from Telugu elders in Dallas went unheeded. It is a pity and a warning for the future.
Telugu associations are concerned that such irresponsible behavior not only harms the image of Indians but could also endanger the safety of the entire community living in the United States, where gun culture and social intolerance are more common among some sections of the population.
