Throughout my life, I have been lucky enough to identify myself with two cultures, an Indian and an American.
I am an American born.
My family’s roots go all the way back to South Asia.
And as for the confused part, having two cultures can definitely be confusing at times.
Background Story
My parents, who were born and raised in India, had a very different lifestyle there. After marriage, my parents left everything they had in India and moved to The United States aspiring towards the American dream. Coming to this country with only one hundred dollars in their pocket, they quickly embarked on the working life where they partook in many jobs to hold a steady income. 10 years later, having three daughters- 10 years old, 5 years old , and 1 month old- their life turned around with an outlook of great success and happiness.
Coming from a family with three daughters and no sons, my sisters and I were raised to be independent, courageous, and to have great integrity. We are classified as “first generation South Asians”.
Being a first generationer
Because my parents were born in another country, and my sisters and I were born in America, that makes us “first generationers”. This title holds big responsibilities upon us that other children born in this country may not understand.
For first generationers, our confusion stems from tasks of developing a new identity, in which we often have to do so without the guidance of our parents or the support from our community.
And that is both difficult and confusing.
Caught between cultures
Having two cultures can be confusing in a sense that you are living with two completely different identities. There tends to always be a dramatic difference in messages that come from our public lives versus our home lives. In this world we face challenges where the expectations of our family values contrast the larger culture. Sometimes it feels like I am “too American” to be a part of the Indian culture where some would think I am “white-washed”, and other times “too Indian” to be apart of the American culture. So what exactly am I?
Family Support
My parents taught my sisters and I to always think smartly and to never take things for granted. We were taught to cherish everything we have and to never forget our roots. From a young age my parents never failed to teach us about the Indian culture. Although English was our first language and we were raised as Americans, my sisters and I still connected with our Indian culture by celebrating all the holidays and attending Sunday school at our temple where were learned the history and beautiful language of the Hindu religion. After growing up and going to school and family events, I now realize how lucky my sisters and I are to be able to celebrate and be a part of more than one culture. We are able to see the beauty and importance of both cultures.
Although at times it feels like I am caught between cultures, I consider myself lucky that I am able to connect to not only one but two different ethnicities. I do not believe I am “white-washed” nor am I “too Indian”.
Us first generationers will continue to fight adversity so that those too can see us as being fortunate with two identities.
Unruly Bodies 