By: Your Indian Gal
Ah, the question we Indians are always asked even though there are over 20 languages spoken in India and “Indian” is not one of them. I remember being embarrassed to speak my language, Hindi, outside of the household. I would always talk in English around white people so I wouldn’t be looked at weirdly. Wow have I grown from that. I speak Hindi to my parents and siblings in public whenever I get the chance; I get to be secretive around those who don’t understand me. “Oh you speak Indian, say a word!” When I was younger, I didn’t know what word I could teach them, but now teaching curse words has become my favorite thing to do. I have been judged for being bilingual and speaking Hindi in public, but I also get judged by my Indian relatives for having an American accent when I speak Hindi…..getting judged from both sides is not helpful at all. But, I am thankful that I can speak Hindi in an American accent, it gives it a little twist.
Being born as an Indian-American, I grew up watching movies like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (look up this movie on Netflix, it is the best thing ever!) and singing to Shava Shava. I dream about having my big fat Indian wedding with five different outfits……yes it’s over the top, but we like to have fun! While in college, I learned so much about myself and learned to accept my identity as an Indian; going to a predominantly white high school, I tried to keep my identity hush hush. In college, I didn’t care what others thought, I would eat Indian food in front of others and also dress in kurtas. I have learned that you should not push away identities you grew up around, instead learn to embrace them and educate others around you. I am a proud Indian-American, who watches Bollywood, and speaks perfect Hindi with an American accent!
-Your Indian Gal
The Indian Flag
(https://unsplash.com/photos/-KZwA8snEh4)