Kathakali Chatterjee wrote this article.
How many times you have answered the following questionnaire while completing a regular survey in your lifetime without even thinking much about it?
How many times you have answered the following questionnaire while completing a regular survey in your lifetime without even thinking much about it?
I recently came across the following comment while working with a survey related to student learning:
"I am an American, Goddammit!"
It was a response for an ordinary survey question:
Are you a:
I started imagining everyone around me responding the same way. I myself come from a very diverse background - my nationality is Indian, by ethnicity I am a Bengali, by caste I am a Hindu Brahmin, by appearance I am an average looking wheatish Bengali girl. How do I introduce myself? As a Bengali, as a Brahmin, or simply as an Indian? One of my cousins was born and brought up in the Middle East, went to an international school there, later married to a guy who was born and brought up in Canada with an Indian origin. My brother-in-law's parents are from UP.
Their mother language was different; my cousin and her husband didn't care - both of them spoke English. Now their child will be an American as they are in the USA now. How to introduce him/ her? By look -- as an Asian-Indian? By ethnicity -- a minority? How confusing! What will be his/ her reaction? "I am an American, Goddammit!"
In reality, the idea of identifying oneself just by nationality is pretty amazing but probably a bit utopian. It's almost impossible for me to identify myself as an Indian without connecting to my ethnicity, because as a concept the word "Indian" is nothing but a concoction of various cultural mix. I am fond of my own cuisine, which is far from any regular Indian dish that is served in any international eatery. I am proud of my literature which is just another Indian language that has nothing to do with rest of the Non Bengali population.
In fact, while looking back, I think I never felt motivated enough to learn, read and enjoy other literature in any other Indian language except Hindi. Did my preference for my own food, literature and culture make me territorial? I am not sure. I can speak, read and write two other Indian languages than my own. I don't like any other food except what I am familiar with, I enjoy the literature in my own language other than English, I mostly listen to Indian classical/semi-classical and modern songs which are not sung in Bengali.
I am a keen fan of Hollywood movies, seldom watch Bollywood and Bengali mainstream cinema. I am not religious, so my interest for our biggest festival is limited within the special editions of our popular Bengali magazines (published in the festival time) which I still relish. Some people were a little apprehensive about my affinity towards other cultures; my relatives accused me of being swayed by the glitz and glamour of global consumerism. Some of my friends called me snob.
The most fascinating part is -- that didn't make me any less "Indian" than others. Or, should I call myself a perfect example of "GAC" -- a Globally Adapted Citizen and wait till the term is incorporated in all the popular dictionaries?
It was a response for an ordinary survey question:
Are you a:
a) CaucasianI was not prepared for the answer. I didn't know how to react. It made me ponder. Is it a long-waited, much desired response in today's world where one's identity is not confined in one's race, ethnicity or the like? Or is it a dangerous over generalization that fails to protect one's individuality?
b) African American
c) Native American
d) Hispanic/Latino
e) Asian/Pacific islander f) Others
I started imagining everyone around me responding the same way. I myself come from a very diverse background - my nationality is Indian, by ethnicity I am a Bengali, by caste I am a Hindu Brahmin, by appearance I am an average looking wheatish Bengali girl. How do I introduce myself? As a Bengali, as a Brahmin, or simply as an Indian? One of my cousins was born and brought up in the Middle East, went to an international school there, later married to a guy who was born and brought up in Canada with an Indian origin. My brother-in-law's parents are from UP.
Their mother language was different; my cousin and her husband didn't care - both of them spoke English. Now their child will be an American as they are in the USA now. How to introduce him/ her? By look -- as an Asian-Indian? By ethnicity -- a minority? How confusing! What will be his/ her reaction? "I am an American, Goddammit!"
In reality, the idea of identifying oneself just by nationality is pretty amazing but probably a bit utopian. It's almost impossible for me to identify myself as an Indian without connecting to my ethnicity, because as a concept the word "Indian" is nothing but a concoction of various cultural mix. I am fond of my own cuisine, which is far from any regular Indian dish that is served in any international eatery. I am proud of my literature which is just another Indian language that has nothing to do with rest of the Non Bengali population.
In fact, while looking back, I think I never felt motivated enough to learn, read and enjoy other literature in any other Indian language except Hindi. Did my preference for my own food, literature and culture make me territorial? I am not sure. I can speak, read and write two other Indian languages than my own. I don't like any other food except what I am familiar with, I enjoy the literature in my own language other than English, I mostly listen to Indian classical/semi-classical and modern songs which are not sung in Bengali.
I am a keen fan of Hollywood movies, seldom watch Bollywood and Bengali mainstream cinema. I am not religious, so my interest for our biggest festival is limited within the special editions of our popular Bengali magazines (published in the festival time) which I still relish. Some people were a little apprehensive about my affinity towards other cultures; my relatives accused me of being swayed by the glitz and glamour of global consumerism. Some of my friends called me snob.
The most fascinating part is -- that didn't make me any less "Indian" than others. Or, should I call myself a perfect example of "GAC" -- a Globally Adapted Citizen and wait till the term is incorporated in all the popular dictionaries?
Applauds - well said. I hate this need to split us all up into little boxes and to create and re-enforce racial differences.
If I could I would put HUMAN.
This is a fascinating article, Katha! The obvious anger of the person taking the survey is compelling against your cool and intellectual wondering on an important matter.
Are we international citizens or not?
Do we honor our own ethnicity over become part of a larger group that may not share our same core values?
These are the important questions of our time.
Nicola, yes! "Human" - that is what we are!
I understand the reason to protect one's individuality and interest, but at the same time I feel the need to go beyond one's identity confined by mere race, ethnicity and the like.
Te million dollar question is "how"? and, "when"?
David, thank you!
Yes, I could feel the frustration of the participant and I think it might be an outcome of the social pressure to conform to a pattern of being identified by race, ethnicity and the like.
But at the same time, I understand the necessity of protecting a particular group’s interest.
It is very hard to keep your uniqueness intact and be a global citizen at the same time; I don’t even know if that is even feasible, moreover, are we ready for it?
Oh David, one of the links needs to fixed – “our biggest festival” should have the following link –
http://www.flickr.com/groups/festival/discuss/72157594292276578/
instead of the current one –
I think I goofed up while inserting the hyperlink.
How can I do this?
I love your Avatar is back, Katha! Remember to login here everyday when you post comments too, so we can see that beautiful face! :grin:
Being unique and a world citizen is a difficult manner for being. Fitting in means common denominators and losing all your hard edges. Fitting in demands circles, links and chaining. Individualism was built on butting heads and sharp elbows!
Right David, keeping a perspective that is someone's own is difficult. One needs to be very (probably with a capital V) open to accept and acknowledge others with all the differences they have.
But I can see a new generation emerging 20 years from now who will say – I am “GAC”!
That too without butting heads and sharp elbows!
Once your article is published, Katha, I am the only one who can fix code things like that. I fixed it for you.
Hi Katha!
Yes, I hope we can all get along better in an ever-shrinking world without killing each other in the process. Lower your arms. Wear hats. Things are immediately friendlier and less sharp. :grin:
Thanks for fixing up the link David!
Right! Why care which part of the globe you are from or who was your ancestors 10 genrations back or which religion do you belong to!
The most important aspect is whether I possess some basic human values to create and maintain a civilized, peaceful society.
Basic human values must rules us all, Katha, well said!
Oh, and LOG IN WHEN YOU POST SO WE CAN SEE YOUR AVATAR!
:mrgreen:
it's the same in malaysia, if not worse. some of the sillier things about asking a person's race is when the information is asked for a nationwide exam which is supposed to be anonymous and confidential. in the exam, the examiner wouldn't know your name, your gender, but they'd know if you're malay, chinese, indian or of other races! as if to subtly infer, if you're a malay examiner, you might want to be a little lenient on the marking with malay candidates...
and the ironic thing is, the government is trying to promote the mentality of bangsa malaysia (malaysian race).
Hey sulz!
It's good to have you back and having your opinion on this topic! Can you elaborate a little bit more on that? Do you have some kind of quota/reservation system there in Malaysia?
well, previously we used to have a quota system regarding entrance to public universities. 60% malay, 20% chinese, it goes something like this (i'm not exactly sure of the percentage). now it's all under a meritocracy system, though there are some sceptics who don't exactly trust the system.
referring to the previous comment, i'm not sure if there's a quota to explain the race segregation information, but that's beside the point, is it? oh, i made a mistake - it's not the race examiners would know, but they'd know if the candidate is muslim or non-muslim. it is said apparently that the information is needed to determine if a candidate is taking the islam education paper in the exams. which is bollocks, because examiners needn't know such information, and the relevant authorities have other methods to determine what papers did the candidate take.
I think that stating your nationality as your "race" is a patriotic move. individualism can be expressed through other elaborated means
Hi Katha,
When I read the title of your post and saw that you had relatives from the "UP," I immediately though of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
There is a brand new newspaper targeted to the Asian Community in Indiana that had an article about this topic. An Indiana resident from Indian -- that could be confusing in itself -- said he feels like he is American because of the time and investment he has put into his work and life here. However, he wrote that he is amazed when he goes home to India to visit that people tell him he hasn't been changed by America -- even though he feels that he has made major changes.
The author -- I wish I had a newspaper in front of me right now -- said it might be a sign that the two countries are become more alike in these days of instant communications and interchangeable customs.
I don't like those little boxes either.
I always fear they will hurt my sons in some way. I always wonder if people will expect more of my sons if they select Asian. Will being Asian mean that they have to get better grades in order to get into college because college admissions departments because of various preferences and quotas?
It's all so confusing.
thanks for the detailed information Sulz, you never know who needs what information for what purpose!
Hi bodicea,
You are right, stating nationality only as an identification definitely creates a stronger bond!
Hi Chris,
The credit for the title goes to David the genius - I was equally shocked!
I whole heartedly agree with you.
Think about me as an example; I study here, work here, pay tax here – whatever (good, bad, ugly…) happens to this country, I am affected, eventually my family (if any, here or in India) is also affected. Can I be indifferent to my immediate surroundings even if I am not an American? Can I just confine myself within the boundary of being an Indian?
Your son is an American, I don’t think he will face any problem as long as you or your wife do not try to make him a Philippine – then it is going to be a tug of war. My opinion is – incorporate some basic human values and let him experience the whole world – he will choose the best.
My mother is German, my fahter is French, I live in the UK and I learn Indian Classical Music ...
Welcom to Urban Semiotic Denise, and thank you for your comment! You have a miniature world in your house!
How do you introduce yourself? As a British? French? or, German?