For citizens born in America, the term “multicultural” tends to sit on a spectrum of meanings, generally connoting something good.
For many people, that means celebrating the culture into which they weren’t born. For others, it was something that could only be tolerated. And, for minorities, “multicultural” means a threat to traditional ways of life, which are lost because of the inflow of foreign or non-majority cultures.
“Thankfully, my experience in the United States has generally been very gracious; however, as a true immigrant, ‘multicultural’ is arguably more meaningful,” said Simi K. Rao, who emigrated from India in her early 20s. He works as a doctor and lives with his family in the United States.
The US immigrant population makes up more than 41.3 million, or 13 percent, of the total population of 316.1 million, according to estimates from the 2013 US Census Bureau’s Survey of American Communities.
“Immigration is, in part, what continues to make this a great country, and I think it will be helpful for more Americans to know what the immigrant experience is like,” said Rao, author of the new novel “The Accidental Wife” (http://simikrao.com/), which explores the benefits and drama that are often connected to many people’s immigrant and multicultural experiences.
Rao lists some of those details.
• A very enriching multicultural experience. Born right in the middle of India, Rao is in a position to travel to both the northern and southern regions of the country. He absorbed the multicultural flavors of his country of birth and was able to appreciate the variety of India, which frequently has historical roots. Her time in America has allowed her to appreciate her native culture more, “and, I can also appreciate the US when I’m away from it,” she says.
• You can appreciate what you have in both countries. “In many ways, I am fortunate to have the means to visit India,” he said, adding that having two globally important countries to call home had its benefits. “Many immigrants to America over the centuries have been too poor to visit their native homes.”
• Fewer people understand the feeling of the double house. Although there’s a sizeable community of Indian Americans in the United States, not all immigrants know where to go or how to relate to each other during transition. Immigrants to America tend to have clear goals and, over time, the new country feels more and more like home. However, its roots are still felt in one’s country of origin, which may have very different cultural norms.
• There are pluses and minuses in every culture. America is the first developed country in the world that still has problems such as advertisements for unhealthy products such as cigarettes and a society that’s less friendly to people from other countries. And, sadly, racism continues to be deeply rooted in society – a problem that immigrants often face.
India still has a long way to go with civil liberties, including an historical and unjust caste system and all-too-common discrimination and violence against women.
“And these differences don’t strike a balance,” Rao said. “An immigrant has to adjust to these differences and try to overcome them and it happens a lot. Fortunately, it can enrich our thoughts and experiences. I would like to think that I have a better humanity – more compassion – because of my multicultural background.”
About Simi K. Rao
Simi K. Rao (http://simikrao.com/) was born in India and has lived in the United States for several years, working as a doctor. “The Accidental Wife” is her second novel. Inspiration for her books, and other projects, comes from her own experiences with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and family connections, and stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances. Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of present-day American culture mixed with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life. He lives in Denver with his family.
