When I was in high school, I made a button to wear that said, “Kiss Me, I’m American.” It was around the 4th of July and I thought it was pretty clever. A fellow Indian teenager asked why I was wearing it because I was so clearly Indian. But, what does “American” mean and why can’t I be both?
ABCD. This stands for American Born Confused Desi and I think it is a pretty fair term for a person like me. Being American to me is about being a part of a culture. It is about being a part of the global melting pot. A fusion of international cultures is a big part of this country’s culture and that’s what makes it awesome. We are not just Indian, Chinese, Mexican, German, Colombian, Lebanese, Kenyan, or of any one heritage. We are American. And sometimes, some of us are confused.
Being born and brought up in the Midwest by immigrant parents, I felt like I almost had two lives. An American one at school with my friends and an Indian one at home and with my Bengali community. The two really didn’t start blending for me until later in high school we we started to drive. The two sets of friends started to mix. And this happened even more in college. That is when I think the meaning of being “American” solidified a little more for me. My friends and I came from different backgrounds and family histories, but we all came together and shared being American.
I still feel strongly rooted to the Indian traditions and culture instilled in me from my parents and extended family. It’s exciting to share this part of me with others who are not as familiar with it. It is also something I find comfort in sharing with my Indian friends. Many of my first generation Indian friends are also ABCDs like me, trying to find their way in being American while still remaining close to their roots. My kids won’t be as “Indian” as me. They get an immersion of Indian culture here and there. That is ok. Being American, we are blessed to be able to experience bits of culture from all over the world. Pretty amazing.