Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage.
Like many of my female peers, I was raised with stories about princesses and queens to look up to. However, these royals were not clad head-to-toe in fluffy ballgowns and tiaras. They were the courageous ranis of India-my parents' birthplace-who exchanged their jewels for armor over their saris to fight for their kingdoms' freedom. In my darkest times, my mom would always remind me of our ancestors being these very heroes who would sacrifice their lives to save hundreds of others. She taught me that an Indian woman is a warrior in her own way, whether to water the battlefield with her blood or pack up everything she's ever known for the hope of a brighter future.
Being raised in two cultures fostered a constant battle throughout my life. Although I held American citizenship, straying slightly from the norm meant isolation, like entering Walmart with a kurti fresh from an Indian function, pierced by strangers' sharp stares. Desi people in the media were painted as backward caricatures, leaving me without a Hannah Montana of my own. But as the arrows of different expectations rained down on me, I found a resolution - I was going to become my own role model. Using the voice I have been blessed with, I've been able to help run the functions that I used to dissociate from. Here, I notice other little Desi girls run and dance with glee to blasting Bollywood music, and I see the rani inside of them shine. Beautiful, bodacious, brave. As the Ashoka Chakra in the center of the Indian flag represents the power of progress, these moments remind me that although the path you carve could be a mere pair of jagged lines, those who follow get to charge down a new road.
Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it.
Like many of my female peers, I was raised with stories about princesses and queens to look up to. However, these royals were not clad head-to-toe in fluffy ballgowns and tiaras. They were the courageous ranis of India-my parents' birthplace-who exchanged their jewels for armor over their saris to fight for their kingdoms' freedom. In my darkest times, my mom would always remind me of our ancestors being these very heroes who would sacrifice their lives to save hundreds of others. She taught me that an Indian woman is a warrior in her own way, whether to water the battlefield with her blood or pack up everything she's ever known for the hope of a brighter future.
Being raised in two cultures fostered a constant battle throughout my life. Although I held American citizenship, straying slightly from the norm meant isolation, like entering Walmart with a kurti fresh from an Indian function, pierced by strangers' sharp stares. Desi people in the media were painted as backward caricatures, leaving me without a Hannah Montana of my own. But as the arrows of different expectations rained down on me, I found a resolution - I was going to become my own role model. Using the voice I have been blessed with, I've been able to help run the functions that I used to dissociate from. Here, I notice other little Desi girls run and dance with glee to blasting Bollywood music, and I see the rani inside of them shine. Beautiful, bodacious, brave. As the Ashoka Chakra in the center of the Indian flag represents the power of progress, these moments remind me that although the path you carve could be a mere pair of jagged lines, those who follow get to charge down a new road.
