Interesting observation. I used to live in a part of Northern California that has a large East Indian population, mostly recent immigrants. They tend to live in the same neighborhoods, and wear traditional dress (best term I can come up with for “what they wore at home”), and don’t mix much with the locals. The kids seem to assimilate quickly and look like every other American kid you see.
There is a lot of prejudice among the locals: the traditional American response to anything that “doesn’t look or act like us.” We did the same thing to the Italians, the Irish, Germans, and other groups.
I wonder if, in another 50 years, what elements of India will integrate themselves into American culture. For example, pizza and spaghetti, St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras, salsa dancing.
I used to know an Indian neurologist who always did hospital rounds in a sari. She had the most beautiful clothing, and wore it well. And it didn’t inhibit her job: I once helped her to a spinal tap on a patient at the bedside.
I could wear a sari . . . but I’d probably look fat in it.
Krishna, I love the perspective you have in growing up the way you did. I thought I had it tough starting off in a rural part of the US then moving to what was basically inner-city. I love the US because of it’s diversity. Unfortunately as Theala says above the latest group in always has a tough time. The next generation of each of the “new-comers” adapts well and this country changes a little as well with this influence. I love this ol’ “Melting Pot” we have here. It sure would be a boring place without the many flavors offered.
hen I was a kid I was poor but went to a rich kids school,almost by accident I ended up living in the wealthy section,Rich kids can smell out poor kids,I suppose the same clothes and lack of designer jeans was a dead give away and on top of it all I had a minor learning disability and was shipped on the SMALL Bus To another school for half a day for learning only to share a room with troubled kid and retarded children,and that wasn’t something a poor white trash kid with a learning problem could hide.But It shaped me,and made me who I am,when I was a child It was a curse but looking back it made me more compassionate to others that are different ,It made me realize that status is only an illusion and that everyone in one way or another is in some state of dysfunction!Your comic made me feel sad,and that is the highest compliment you could have,to move someone emotionally with your work!
10+++
thank you argonsassistant – I guess that’s my take away too. I feel that much more concern and compassion for others because of what I’ve experienced. It definitely shaped who I’ve become.
hey Krishna. I’ve always read your web-comic but this is the 1st time i’ve decided to post something. Let’s just say that this one hits home! Let’s just replace the American in A..B.C.D. to Australian.
Interesting observation. I used to live in a part of Northern California that has a large East Indian population, mostly recent immigrants. They tend to live in the same neighborhoods, and wear traditional dress (best term I can come up with for “what they wore at home”), and don’t mix much with the locals. The kids seem to assimilate quickly and look like every other American kid you see.
There is a lot of prejudice among the locals: the traditional American response to anything that “doesn’t look or act like us.” We did the same thing to the Italians, the Irish, Germans, and other groups.
I wonder if, in another 50 years, what elements of India will integrate themselves into American culture. For example, pizza and spaghetti, St. Patrick’s Day, Mardi Gras, salsa dancing.
I used to know an Indian neurologist who always did hospital rounds in a sari. She had the most beautiful clothing, and wore it well. And it didn’t inhibit her job: I once helped her to a spinal tap on a patient at the bedside.
I could wear a sari . . . but I’d probably look fat in it.
Krishna, I love the perspective you have in growing up the way you did. I thought I had it tough starting off in a rural part of the US then moving to what was basically inner-city. I love the US because of it’s diversity. Unfortunately as Theala says above the latest group in always has a tough time. The next generation of each of the “new-comers” adapts well and this country changes a little as well with this influence. I love this ol’ “Melting Pot” we have here. It sure would be a boring place without the many flavors offered.
hen I was a kid I was poor but went to a rich kids school,almost by accident I ended up living in the wealthy section,Rich kids can smell out poor kids,I suppose the same clothes and lack of designer jeans was a dead give away and on top of it all I had a minor learning disability and was shipped on the SMALL Bus To another school for half a day for learning only to share a room with troubled kid and retarded children,and that wasn’t something a poor white trash kid with a learning problem could hide.But It shaped me,and made me who I am,when I was a child It was a curse but looking back it made me more compassionate to others that are different ,It made me realize that status is only an illusion and that everyone in one way or another is in some state of dysfunction!Your comic made me feel sad,and that is the highest compliment you could have,to move someone emotionally with your work!
10+++
thank you argonsassistant – I guess that’s my take away too. I feel that much more concern and compassion for others because of what I’ve experienced. It definitely shaped who I’ve become.
@theala sildorian: no one looks fat in a sari
@krishna: great illustration of what we try to do, and how we end up.
hey Krishna. I’ve always read your web-comic but this is the 1st time i’ve decided to post something. Let’s just say that this one hits home! Let’s just replace the American in A..B.C.D. to Australian.