Image is nothing: Pakistan as Andre Agassi

It is an indictment of our elite that it seeks validation of our country from the West.

Nadir Hassan May 20, 2012
Even before he had won anything of note, tennis player Andre Agassi became a celebrity thanks to his “Image is Everything” ads for Cannon, which capitalised on his ridiculous blonde locks and cut-off denim shorts.

[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpuFEpbE0d0]]

Although he would go on to reveal that the hair was augmented by a toupee and win a bunch of majors on his way to becoming a truly legendary player, Agassi admitted in his searing autobiography" Open" that he was never comfortable with his rockstar status, unearned that it was.

The lesson is clear: image is a self-created illusion that we generally use to mask our insecurities.

In the tortured analogy I am about inflict on all you unfortunate readers, Pakistan, or rather its upwardly-mobile classes, are Agassi, and the rest of the world can stand in for Cannon. Too many of us are willing to confuse image with achievement but the worst part is that the image we are trying to conjure is not our own but that of the entire country.

There is nothing wrong with frivolity for the sake of frivolity. The problem arises when we feel a pang of guilt for doing something that is fun and decide to soothe ourselves by claiming that we are only trying to project a softer image of Pakistan. On a purely personal level, this is very annoying for its obvious fakery. No one waltzes down a catwalk out of sheer anger at a New York Times front page story on the Taliban. Anyone who edits a lifestyle magazine only because our arts and crafts industry hasn’t been given its due in Vanity Fair might want to find a new job.

Promoting Pakistan’s “image” has effects more pernicious than simple irritation at the sheer stupidity and dishonesty of the enterprise. By using this line of argument we are essentially adopting a defensive posture. We allow the rest of the world to define what Pakistan is and then argue that, sure, we may be a failing state but there is some hope because we have pretty models. By being so reactive we have already accepted a flawed Western premise.

To return to tennis for a bit, consider the well-received speech Aisamul-Haq gave after reaching the final in the US Open doubles tournament.

[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYU2RdkLkZQ]]

Here was a sportsman in his prime having to essentially say that not all Pakistanis are terrorists. As image-building goes, this is a very debasing way to accomplish it. Even if Aisam’s spontaneous words were understandable, the reaction to his speech back home was anything but. We celebrated him not for being a damn fine tennis player but for building bridges and contributing to the world’s understanding of Pakistan without realising that such abasement only shows our yearning for outside approval and our dependency on them to define us as a nation.

It is an indictment of our elite that it seeks validation of our country from the West. Better not to talk about ourselves with outsiders at all than to buy into their narrative. Image is nothing if it isn’t accompanied by self-awareness.

Read more by Nadir here or follow him on Twitter @Nadir_Hassan 
WRITTEN BY:
Nadir Hassan An Islamabad based journalist who tweets at @Nadir_Hassan.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (26)

Agreed | 11 years ago | Reply @American Pakistani: Congratulations on your brilliant words on Anoop. While arguing that Pakistan's removal was a blessing for India and trying their best to belittle it, Indians like Anoop spend day in and day out stalking a Pakistani website. Clearly they're not over the loss they claim was such a blessing
Mahi | 11 years ago | Reply @Anoop: Even I also thought of NOT commenting out of fear of giving honour to your comment but I'll still post to address some of your concerns. YES unfortunately Osama was found in Pakistan,so the rest are living in Pakistan as well?what a logic,and why is EVERY word of America being taken as a sacrosanct???They say Zaharwi is here,FINE,all they gotta do is to PROVIDE evidence of his presence in Pakistan and take the action,what's stopping them? Also my intention was NOT to debate on Osama being found and killed in Pakistan,I feel disgusted by the actions of our politicians myself,I don't think you or ANYONE has to inform me what they did in the past or what they are doing presently is justified,I don't have no say for the Pakistani or any politicians,but the point you raised is still questionable you are holding a WHOLE nation of 18 crore people responsible for something they've NO hand in.I was speaking on behalf of innocent,peace loving citizens NOT the one's you mentioned! And don't provide any further evidences,I believe you :P
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ