Indian American Culture

Over the course of history, South Asians have been mistreated and undermined within American society. This is especially evident after the terror attacks of 9/11 in which Americans shunned its South Asian Population, and reduced them to devastating stereotypes. This has created tension and hostility within the South Asian community, thus pressuring them to being more Americanized, and further creating a fixation towards becoming more white. The obsession with American culture has caused many to conform, leaving behind cultural and religious parts of their identities. It is necessary to explore the history behind the mistreatment of South Asians to understand why the change in identity such as those portrayed with Changez in The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Amir in Disgraced have occurred. These main characters of South Asian descent make it is clear that the American dream for immigrants creates a constant struggle between national and transnational identities as racism and hostility are being thrust upon them by American society.

Native American culture originated in some parts North America. These countries are known as the United States of America and some parts of Canada. In the United States, there are 6.6 million Native Americans, which form about 2.0 percent of the population (Bureau, 2016). Europe had realized there were about 50 million people already living the “new world” and these people were called Native Americans. Native Americans were originally called Indians, but later through history they formed a new name. These people were called this because of them being native to the “new world” and the American part came after the colonist named the United States. Throughout history, Native Americans believed that using raw material in nature was the best way to provide for their people. Their culture thought no part of an animal should go to waste. They would eat the meat, use the skin for clothing, and make jewelry from the bones. Over the years a lot of their culture and customs were lost due to conforming with society. Their languages were referred to as “Indigenous Languages” because of them being extremely complicated and diverse. Some important factors that help understand the foundation of Native American culture are their rituals/practices, death ceremonies, holidays, family, and stereotypes.

1. What were the common characteristics of all Indian cultures in the New World, and what were the important differences among them?

American Indian music has, throughout the history of the native people, been a major part in the life of a tribe’s cultural expression. The Southern Plains American Indians have learned, from their ancestors/elders, the delicate rhythmic communication as youth, and have carried the expression throughout their lives. The songs of the Southern Plains American Indians represent their artistic language as a diminishing minority group. Through song, American Indians communicate their beliefs and values as a distinct society. American Indians use equipment such as drums, vocals, and dance during the performance of their, often, monophonic language with a rare heterophony texture.

Native American lives were much different before the arrival of Europeans. Due to the fact that there was a multitude of tribes, cultures differ greatly amongst different groups. Native Americans hiked over the land bridge, the Bering Strait, more than 12.000 years ago. Among this group of people, scientist divided them into 10 different culture areas: the Arctic, California, the Great Basin, the Northeast, the Northeast Coast, the Southeast, the Southwest, the Subarctic, the Plains and the Plateau.

The names we are given are essential in forming our identity. It is the way we are addressed by everyone starting from birth. It is the beginning of how we define ourselves in our own terms `as a result of growing up and experiencing life. In Indian culture, from The Namesake, the grandmother chooses a good name for the child before they are born. Gogol was supposed to be a pet name only used by family and close friends. For Gogol, his name highlights his differences to everyone else, but more importantly, himself. He endures a consistent struggle with his two cultures throughout the novel. He, as a young adult, is searching for acceptance of both his traditional Indian culture and American culture. The Namesake, explores the theme of identity by examining the differences of both cultures. He has two names and therefore two identities, Gogol and Nikhil, and throughout the novel he looks for a way to incorporate them into one whole.

My Indian ethnicity is one of the major things that define me as a person. There are many things in my Indian culture that have contributed to who I am today. The small Indian community in Kenya that I lived in is a major influence to how I was raised. For example, my cousins and I grew up together and this created a very strong bond among us cousins. Every weekend we would have weekly trips to different amusement parks and zoos. This strong bond between us cousins signifies our care for one another and our strong relationship. This is a strong bond that can never be broken, so even now we keep in touch and help one another out get through difficult situations. LIke this year I am helping Divya, my cousin that lives in Kenya, get his application ready for Drexel University.

India is a country divided by its people, cultures and norms. Every state in the country hold its own different values and beliefs. Being the 7th largest country in the world, it is home to over a billion people. The country has said to have a total of 1652 languages spoken, where only 31 of them are official. Let’s not even get started on the number of casts and cultures that exist in the country, because the state I’m from, alone has over at least 10. Lack of respect for each other, the failure of the education system, and lack of empathy are what’s keeping India fractured. How can we expect so many people, who speak different languages, believe in different gods, eat different food, wear different clothes, and who believe in different rituals, to ever be united as one whole nation?

The Asian Indian American (also known as Indo-Indians) community is a vast one that contribute to more several facets of life in the United States. Some of these encompass the economic, political, and social historical contributions of Indo-Indians to American society. Other aspects will include the type of education levels, education system, and the role of education, as well as the constructs of family and religion within the family and the effects of Asian Indian Americans on pop culture.

One of the most visible changes to the human landscape of China over the past few decades has been the change in dress code. Many men now wear suits and ties and women tend to wear skirts and blouses of a modest cut. It is advisable to have smart business attire with you when visiting.

Business clothing is no different then in Poland. Men should wear a traditional, dark suit with white shirt and a

Observing practices and customs from extended family during yearly visits is not sufficient enough for me to feel completely immersed within the Indian world. Due to this, I don’t always understand what is expected of me. At times my foreign nature has created barriers between those who were completely part of the culture and me.

It is vital to communicate effectively. Avoid using words that hold multiple meanings. For example, the words date and foot both have multiple meanings. Indians prefer to do business with those they know. Respect and trust are vital to building a relationship. Generally speaking, it is preferred to already have a personal relationship before doing business. It is suggested to be introduced by a third party for instant credibility (India, 2015).

“Three day bonanza of fun, dance and merriment, with an army of well wishers in the thousands- is that what it is?” my friend Colin echoed on the phone with an infectious enthusiasm. I had just mentioned to him that I was traveling to India to attend a wedding. In the same breath, he continued “Bring me stories and pictures, and get me nuggets of eastern wisdom, I am fascinated by the different cultures.” Colin’s quest for learning brought a question that was in the back of my mind to the forefront.

India is located in continent Asia. It is Federal republic government. Its official language is Hindi and there are 14 other languages e.g. Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu and Punjabi. The major religion that is follow by majority of people is Hinduism. In India people speaks different languages, dress differently, follow different religions, eat different food but they all have the same nature. Whether it is a happy occasion or a moment of sadness people participate in it with feeling of happiness or pain. A festival or a celebration is never constrained to a family or home. They whole community or neighborhood is involved in bringing a