The Difference between Becoming American and Becoming Ethnic - Essay Example

Introduction: In this paper I will discuss the relationship between my ethnic and national identity, who my ancestors were and from their journey to my generation as Americans. There will be discussion about how I adopted ‘Americanization’ and how I live in America along with being in touch with our original roots. I will discuss about the similarities and the differences I faced being accepted in an American society. This will also discuss how I relate my experience as being and American with the experiences of the students who wrote essays in Thomas Dublin’s book- Becoming American, Becoming ethnic. I belong to a tribal family that resided in Yemen in Middle East Asia and moved to Saudi Arabia seventy years ago, they were Arabs by ethnicity. I can trace my family to my eighth great grand father. Since my family is Arab, the Arab language still prevails and colors of Arabic traditions and cultures are seen in my way of living. An Arab heritage means a diversity of people, nationalities and religions expressed through a single Arabic language. My family traditions have always been my area of interest that I often used to discuss with my paternal grand mother. She has told me about how my ancestors had lived and the great cultural heritage I possess as an Arab. Since my ancestors were Arabs they were Muslims and held a very strong Muslim culture. My grandmother also told me that my great grandfather moved from Yemen to Saudi Arabia for about 70 years ago. I’ve moved to America for my higher education and am an International student in the American society. When I shifted to America I faced the differences in language, cultural values and religion, despite of all the differences I tried to be assimilated in the American culture and worked for the progress of the American economy. Being an Arab the cultural and religious differences have been vast between me and American society. Being a Muslim in America is a different experience. Islam is a mosaic of many racial and national groups in America. Like most of the Muslims in America, I tried to assimilate in the American culture along with preserving my religious and cultural values. Due to the bitter historical relationships between Islam and America, which are the results of the Crusades and European colonialism and the 9/11 event, the American society finds it difficult to incorporate a Muslim in its society. Nevertheless, I have balanced experiences regarding the matter. Due to my affiliation with the educated class of the society, I am seen with much respect and broader mind. I am not seen as a ‘terrorist’ in general, however mostly people do stereotype Muslims as terrorists and much racism is also seen at many class of American society like Puwat Charukamnoetkanok faced racism and difficulties in being accepted by the American society in the Dublin book ( Dublin. 222). Due to large presence of Muslims in America I have not faced much difficulty in finding companionship. There are many other international Arab students in my college. Usually we can find a mosque (prayer area) in every locality in America. This aspect of American society looks mesmerizing, as how liberal the American society is to provide the freedom to openly be a Muslim unlike many countries in the world. We are allowed to pray five times a day openly. On the other hand, being a Muslim finding ‘halal’ food is a problem while residing in a non-Muslim country. Despite of being a minority I am impressed how easy it is to find halal food in super stores like Karen A. Gryga in the Dublin’s book adopted American things in the Polish way (Dublin. 60). My adjustment with my Arab Muslim ways of living hasn’t been a very daunting problem due to the presence of large Muslim community in America. My native language is Arabic but English being an international language had been taught at many levels of my schooling. I am fluent in English and used to speak English as my second language in Saudi Arabia. I still converse in Arabic with my family and with the Muslim Arab community residing in America. Communication barrier has never been a concern in America and language has never been a problem. Speaking of the traditions and customs I have adopted the American culture well and at the same time is in touch with my own Arab culture roots. Many conservative Muslims in America don’t find the adoption of this culture very right. Many values and practices differ in the two societies, for e.g. in Arabia like many Muslim countries shaking hands between a male and a female isn’t taken very pleasantly while in American society refusing to shake hands is disrespect. Similarly, in Arabia men greet by kissing on cheeks and are a sign of hospitality on the other hand in the American society this is seen as a sign of homosexuality. Such vast differences in the practices and the customs made me took some time to fully understand the differences in the society. Being in America, I celebrate both the American festivals and the festivals related to my homeland and Muslim society. I celebrate Christmas and Easter with the Christian community in America and am very open to their belief like Marc Turetzky in Dublin’s book celebrated all American occasions (Dublin. 63). I visit my Christian friends on the Christmas Eve and Easter and open presents with them. I celebrate these occasions with the same festivity and spirit as they do. As a Muslim, I celebrate two occasions in the year that come according to the Islamic calendar. These are called ‘Eid’ which are the most precious and sacred events for Muslims throughout the world. On Eid, I celebrate with the Muslim community and friends; however it is worth mentioning that many liberal Americans also celebrate Eid along with us in the same spirit. However, these occasions away from my homeland are just another day in America where the joy is shared with the family over a phone call. I see myself as an acculturated individual who has adopted the American culture and has partially assimilated in the American society and at the same time is in touch with his Arab ethnic roots. I have faced issues like Muslims being stereotyped as terrorists, racism and differences in customs but on the other hand have seen the positive aspects of the American society like freedom of thought, beliefs and practices. Works Cited Dublin, Thomas. Becoming American, Becoming Ethnic: College Students Explore Their Roots. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1996. Print. Read More