Essay On Chips Vs Chakri

I hail from a Hindu joint family in the South of India. My parents have inculcated the values of culture, religion, respect, love, humility and care for others ever since I was a child while my grandparents have coddled me with gifts and stories from their childhood in pre-independent India. I grew up in a multilingual

It is not uncommon to hear one recount their latest family reunion or trip with their cousins, but being a first generation immigrant, I sacrificed the luxury of taking my relatives for granted for the security of building a life in America. My parents, my brother, and I are the only ones in my family who live in the United States, thus a trip to India to visit my extended family after 4 years was an exciting yet overwhelming experience. Throughout the trip, I felt like a stranger in the country where I was born as so many things were unfamiliar, but there were a few places that reminded me of my childhood.

I chose to order a salad and an entrée that normally required silverware to eat. This way I could be sure that I was blatantly violating the social norm. Once I got my salad and started eating it with my hands I instantly drew quizzical glances from many people in the restaurant, and even harsher reactions from my peers I was sitting with. My peers, who were horrified that I would ever embarrass them in this kind of public setting gave me harsh words of criticism and told me to act my age. Other diners had changed their quizzical looks to scorns. Along with the initial berating, I also had my plate taken away from me by my peers since I could apparently not be trusted to behave appropriately. The meal continued and I was served my entrée, which was fish and rice. After eating my appetizer with my hands our table had gathered the attention of several customers and staff at the restaurant. Once I started to eat with my hands for the second time the reaction from those around me was much swifter and harsher. Not only did my peers scorn me, but I also received criticism by other people dinning near our table. The third time I tried to eat with my hands I was approached by a management member of the staff and told that I would need to leave if I continued

Growing up, I felt as if I had two identities, one as a Christian amongst many non-Christian Indians and the other as an Indian among many white people. Fitting into either group

Immigrants’ refusal to appreciate a fused culture promotes division. Mukherjee questions the idea of immigrants losing their culture for American ideals: “Parents express rage or despair at their U.S.-born children's forgetting of, or indifference to, some aspects of Indian culture,” to that Mukherjee asks, “Is it so terrible that our children are discovering or are inventing homelands for themselves?” (Mukherjee, 1997, para. 28). Many immigrants experience anger when their children no longer hold the ideals of their home country. This tension produced within the household hinders the unity within a resident country’s culture and encourages division within families. Using herself as an example, Mukherjee provides another instance of anger directed at her from her own subculture: “They direct their rage at me because, by becoming a U.S.

I was born into a loving family of two, speaking Papago, the native language of the Tohono O’odham people. Even though I grew up on the reservation with my traditions still alive, my family is catholic and for the reason, so am I. When I turned 6 years old I was sent to school where I was able to learn English for the first time. My father worked in Phoenix and not on tribal land to make more money.

America is suffocated in a thick coat of white idealism. The effects of this is everlasting on minority communities across the country. Not many individuals notice the whitewash that America is drenched in besides the individuals that live with the consequences of it. A whitewash, in societal terms is what describes a system that has a majority of a white perspective and overlaying ideals, norms and expectations that only supplement white idealism and privilege. The effects of a whitewashed society are incredibly influential in societal, cultural and economic ways

The famous American President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, once said "Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially are descended from immigrants and revolutionists." Franklin D. Roosevelt brings attention to the importance of one 's immigration history that has shaped the Western societies of the present. Being part of a first generation Canadian family, my family 's immigration history is still very recent. However, the decision to come to Canada was not one made in an instant, several historic forces influenced my family 's arrival to North America. To begin with, my grandmother, being part of my primary family, left her ancestral home in Lahore, Pakistan to come to India due to the Partition of India and Pakistan which had caused mass migration, religious conflict and she ultimately ended up in Amritsar. The Sikh Massacre of 1984 caused my primary family to move from Amritsar to Hoshiarpur, Punjab because of Sikh extremists, militaristic activity and the targeting of innocent Sikh civilians. Caste also had a big impact on my family since my mother married my father due to Caste, they were discriminated against frequently and finally moved to Canada in 1995 for better opportunities. The historical forces that brought my family to Canada are due to the Partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, Anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and to escape the Caste System of India.

Indian-Americans ranging from ages 16-24 that are first generation Americans undergo the stages of minority identity development. They are commonly placed in environments which force them to question their own identity. As they communicate with peers, they question themselves and their personal beliefs and customs. Occasionally, they view the majority culture as better than their own and may develop negative feelings of their Indian household upbringing. One may feel the need to internalize the values of the dominant culture of the community and change to fit the status quo. This is especially difficult for Indian-Americans because so many things that they are taught within the home are not normal for the majority culture therefore presenting a major division and causing an uproar in the home. Parents tend to view “normal” majority culture attributes as

Jess’ parents held on strongly to their religion and traditions and never fully integrated with Western ways of life. They lived in Hounslow neighborhood of West London, a community filled with Indians, and did not allow their children to make friends with anyone outside of their culture in order to avoid their children being negatively influenced by Western culture. “A stricter parenting style is believed to be necessary to develop the coping abilities to deal with racism and discrimination.” (Friedman, Bowden & Jones, 2009, p.384). Jess’ mother wanted both of her daughters to learn to cook traditional Indian food at a young age and find an Indian boy to get married to. She said, “I was married at your age. You don’t even want to learn

and a bunch people talking that almost sounded like a crowded school lunchroom. We had one connecting flight till our final destination Kenya. While in the Ethiopian airport, my Dad pointed out that there was a restaurant and that that he was hungry. While in the restaurant, I noticed that the waiter had not brought us water, so I asked my Mom to which she replied with “Here they won’t serve you water unless you ask for it. It’s to save water, which is pretty smart if you ask me.” When the waiter came to take our order, I was not ready and so I panicked and looked through as fast as I could saw what I thought looked like “Hamburger”, so I looked to the waiter, pointed at it on the menu and I said aloud “I’ll have the Hamburger.” As soon as he finished taking orders and walked away, I realized that what I had thought to be a hamburger was actually a “Humburger.” When the food arrived everything looked normal, but when I bit into it, It was the weirdest texture/taste I’ve ever experienced. The rest of the burger was normal but the meat was slimy and almost felt undercooked. Not the best way to start off my Africa trip, but it was a

Nearly every Saturday morning ever since I can remember has been the same: rising with the sun and getting ready early in the morning, followed by reciting ancient Tamil hymns praising ancient Hindu deities. This event will always connect me to my cultural identity and past, no matter where I choose to be in this world. Along with my cultural identity, my parents, and my experiences have shaped my personal life and aspirations. My cultural identity helps dictate the morals that I abide by and offer me guidance when needed. Both of my parents have instilled cherishable values that have helped me succeed in academics. Additionally, my experiences have taught me invaluable lessons and to enjoy the simplest aspects of life.

During the second or third week of school, there was a gala at the Schneider’s art museum that I went to. The only reason I went was because my roommate is an art major and had to go there for a class, so I decided to go with her so that she didn’t have to be alone. There was lots of finger food, people, and art pieces. The first thing I went for was the food. They had a few different types of cheese, and cheese is one of my favorite food items, so I was thrilled. I ate a few pieces of Gouda before noticing the other table of food, so I took some grapes covered in cream cheese and nuts before I moved onto looking at the art.

Eat it! Eat it! I dropped it in my mouth without a second thought, which probably wasn’t wise-but hey, I was ten-and then the war of spice and flavor began. “That wasn’t so bad I announced” But it turns out I spoke too soon, the burning sensation spreading like the plague in my mouth. The delicious burn of a really good spice or curry, that fiery goodness that makes you sweat and gives you a great tingling sensation, is for many people one of life’s greatest pleasures. Unfortunately, I am not one of those people. So imagine my surprise when its scaly skin grazes my tongue and the initial taste is sweet. Wow, that wasn’t so bad. I think to myself but it turns out i spoke to soon i start to realize as I take a big bite, the burst of juicy flavor

My cultural background and the groups that I am a part of can be divided into four categories: Educational, Social and Religious, National and Organizational. I come from a place where there are the highest number of languages and cultures reside, India which is meant for its religious and cultural beliefs and where there are people of different religions worshipping and following different gods and goddesses. It’s a birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, collectively known as Indian religions. I follow Jainism. Jainism is a religion that started back in India around the fifth century B.C.E. Jainism never approves of