ABCD in 2021

Growing up, I would hear the phrase “That’s so American” or “You have become such an American” all the time from family and the Indian community as a whole. Whether it be questioning traditions or sharing my perspective on what is happening in India, I would be met with dismissal that I was young, naive, and corrupted by the American education system. This begs the question: why do we put the homeland on such a pedestal?

My family, like many others, moved to the United States for work and built a life here. In that respect, America is described as the land of opportunity whereas South Asia is lacking in opportunities for a better life. However, once arriving in the United States my family and the Hindu community we belong to clung strongly to the cultural and religious bonds we left behind. Hinduism, India and the homeland became sacrosanct; only to be regarded with nostalgia and deference. For me, I had the chance to live in India and the United States and meld these identities into my own. This was the only way to honor my heritage and live in my new country. But this made me an “ABCD” - or more accurately, a “CD.”

When I first heard about “ABCD,” I found (and still find) it to be pejorative; as though America confuses South Asians from who they should be. Maybe we should focus on why we are so fearful of being Americanized? Maybe we should find ways to blend our heritage and culture with aspects of our American identities that suit us best? Maybe we restrict the label “ABCD” for those who are doing the difficult work of discovering their identity?

Identity is difficult. As I have struggled to combine my Indian identity with my American one, I have felt lost and confused. However, I respect and value each part of my identity equally. Maybe instead of striving to be what our parents and communities tell us to be, we can define our own identities. Instead of ABCD, I could be IAFIO (not as catchy, admittedly): Indian-American Figuring it Out.

by Kartik Ramkumar