Being an immigrant in any country means having to fit into the cultural norms of the country you have immigrated to. This can become especially difficult knowing there is a cultural overlap, and oftentimes, this results in internal conflicts to “try and fit in.” Any minority will unfortunately be subject to some level of harassment or discrimination. Additionally, personal conflict on how to fit into both cultural groups is also harmful. Being an Indian American, there are cultural expectations and traditions my family brought with them when they moved to the United States. Sometimes, these expectations might seem “unfamiliar” to those who are not aware of my culture, especially in comparison to the society’s standards in the United States. Despite the country being considered “diverse,” minority groups face a daily struggle to fit in.
Being in a public setting, if you do not look like you belong, chances are you do not feel like you belong. If you come to school wearing a turban, people ask why they cannot see your hair. If you wear a burqa, you are called slurs and are subject to talk about how it’s “weird” and how people “feel bad for you.” On the other hand, if you have box braids, an extra eye fold, or something that is “trendy,” people will culturally appropriate parts of your background. All while at home, you find yourself in a bind. Why do I have to wear such clothing? Why do I have to abide by these traditions? The response you receive from your family is often condescending and follows as, “it is a part of our culture.” Even so, your culture is not the expectation, it is the anomaly. Current society does not accept and normalize your traditions. In turn, this makes it hard for us to identify within a cultural group. Our parents, loved ones, and friends have also immigrated and they are struggling to find their place in society as well. All we know is that it is the familial expectation to stick to our roots, but it is society’s expectation to leave that behind and follow in place with our counterparts.
These difficult responses generally greet two groups of people: those who are willing to face the differences and find a middle ground, and those who have struggled enough in both cultural groups to commit to only one. This is how languages are lost, how people go to great lengths to lighten their skin tone, and how everyone slowly migrates to crop tops and shorts. Cultural aspects of our everyday life are lost to American ideologies and the desire to be accepted.
In an ideal society, everyone would appreciate each other\’s traditions and cultural backgrounds, learn from them, and treat them just as their own. However, as much as our society wishes to achieve this paragon, it nonetheless remains unattainable. Therefore, we must focus on our own individual efforts to promote inclusion, which, collectively, builds to a more equitable future. Encourage yourself to learn about other cultures, not their stereotypical appearances. Strive to accept others in the same way you want to be accepted.
I cannot change the mindset of others, and therefore, I cannot make others see beyond my caramel skin tone. However, I can accept others and I can spread awareness so we do not have to stay in this close-minded view of the world. I hope we can come together as individuals and fight the social barrier, even if that means waiting in anticipation to see if we are accepted. As long as we can accept ourselves, and understand that being different is not undesirable, being different is treasured.