Introduction
Several people immigrate to different countries every year and this has continued to increase with modernism and globalization. Many countries such as the U.S., Britain, Australia, and Canada, among others receive numerous immigrants every year. This does not mean that life usually becomes smooth as soon as they enter into their new homes, instead, they face many challenges related to their identity that demand compromise of their traditions and cultures. Most surveys have shown that immigrants face many difficult challenges ranging from religious beliefs, culture, behavior, taboos, and needs, among others. This has to some extent, caused jitters and hardened survival for immigrants who go to their new countries with great enthusiasm hoping to find everything running smoother than in their homeland (Dangarembga, p. 112). The United States, Canada, and Australia receive most immigrants according to the surveys conducted over the years, and interestingly, they are a host to many immigrants who face these difficulties because they come from many different countries with different cultures. This paper will attempt to identify the bi-culturism and explore the identity crisis facing immigrants during transitioning into new countries.
Bi-culturism is the phenomenon in which one is caught up between one and another culture, and has to pursue them at the same time. On one hand, one is attached to his/her native culture which has been part of his/her life until the time of immigration, and on the other, he/she is faced with a new reality in the country of immigration, with the people practicing a completely different culture and values. It becomes quite difficult for such people to survive especially if hard hit on the critical issues they value like religion, taboos, among others. For instance, India has Muslims, Hindus, and Christians. When a Muslim Indian moves to the U.S and a Hindu also does, as well as a Christian. It is more probable that the Christian would most likely find it easy than the Muslim or Hindu, and it would be much tougher for the Muslim to adapt to the social life in the U.S. Moreover, a pagan who does not care will even enjoy much freedom. It is worth noting that different people immigrate for various reasons and these reasons are quite relevant in determining how fast they transition into a new environment. Most people immigrate in search of better lives, others asylums running away from their motherland for fear of death. These are the most affected and find transitioning very difficult as they seek to start a new life with worries of what could happen (Conde, p. 89).
Surveys
Survey shows that immigration has been a key component of population growth in the U.S; it has also conveyed that the varied cultures that constantly change have been a major contribution of immigration as people bring their respective cultures as well as to adapt existing ones. American history has had a trend of cultural change that can only be attributed to immigrants. The voting trend has constantly shifted with these events, crime rates following suit, and social mobility, which has been adversely affected. It has been established that the U.S immigrants taken as permanent residents are more than any other recipient country. This was mainly due to the introduction of a liberated policy on immigration in 1965. Their numbers have quadrupled over the years and they stood at about 38 million in 2007. This portrays the implication of their cultural difference in the country and can serve as proof to the varied cultures and shifting voter trends over the years (Xinhua News Agency, pp. 1-4).
Several immigrants also come illegally into the U.S and this has been a major problem. Proposals have come up regarding control measures to this form of movement, especially along the U.S Mexico border. These immigrants face severe consequences, by risking into a new land illegally and the problems they face in the country are uncountable. Getting formal employment, as an illegal immigrant is more difficult as it may amount to deportation. Acquiring a green card is even more difficult, with strict regulations safeguarding the policies on them. Facing life on the streets is quite rampant for these people and much worse, getting involved in illegal activities like drug trafficking due to their inability to access their basic needs (Santiago, p. 32).
In this essay, we shall consider a story from Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies called The Blessed House, which tells of Indian Americans and Indians are tied to two different cultures he refers to as, the new world and hereditary cultures. The story, in particular talks of two newlywed couples, Sanjeev who is a Hindu as well as his wife Twinkle, exploring their new Hartford house. The house is said to have previously been owned by a staunch Christian family who kept many biblical objects conveying Christianity throughout the house. This comes as a surprise to Sanjeev, who is greatly displeased by them given his different religion. Twinkle, however, is overjoyed with the artifacts and this causes arguments as Sanjeev insists they are Hindu and should not condone Christianity (Lahiri, pp. 136-157).
More problems are uncovered by this in their relationship and call for concern as Twinkle does not care about Sanjeev’s dislikes, while Sanjeev cares not about his wife’s spontaneity. Besides, Sanjeev is expecting visitors during his party organized for his workmates and finds this troubling, that is if they see the biblical portraits. A hot argument arises that culminates into tears, although they finally reach an agreement that she would enamor the guests. This reveals the dilemma that Sanjeev has to deal with, a beautiful wife against her irritating, unrealistic tendencies and naivety. The visitors come, and to Sanjeev’s surprise, they find more paraphernalia in the attic of Jesus Christ. Although he is angry and disgusted by the object, he resorts to moving it downstairs. Sanjeev seems so uncomfortable with the happenings that he fears losing his identity in the new life (Lahiri, pp. 136-157).
These among other stories and interviews of the immigrants are proof that the going gets tougher when one is faced with a choice between his/her culture and a new one, which constantly infringe on him. Several issues ranging from raising of children, marriage relationships, work relations, sports, among others cause issues to different cultures when they live in the same environment (Lahiri, pp. 136-157).
Discussion
From the case study, many issues arise of bi-culturism problems, Sanjeev does not want to embrace the new religion and leave it alone to let it prevail in his presence. He looks disgusted with everything about this new faith. Twinkle, on the other hand, looks spontaneous, and is interested in new things, she seems ready to accept the new life presented to her in the land. She does not seem distracted by the new revelations in the house and this is getting in Sanjeev’s nerves. This is quite prevalent because, people may come from the same culture (Chotiner, p. 1), but respond differently to new cultures. The concept of leaving behind his religious beliefs and embracing a new one is greatly affecting Sanjeev (Conde, p. 89). Although at end of the story, he is seen to be losing the fight as he obediently carries the attic of Jesus Christ downstairs. This may not necessarily imply so, as he may have done it to please the visitors and remain grudgingly with twinkle over the issue (Lahiri, pp. 136-157).
The prospect of another culture integrating into this newlywed couple is bringing disjoints in their early marriage. Their relationship is not as solid as is expected of them at this stage of their marriage. This brings out a clear view of the weight bi-culturism carries and its consequences. Twinkle does not mind her husband’s discomforts, and this is proving futile in cementing their relationship, which is core to their unity. There is a fight between two cultures from different countries and it is proving difficult to overcome, as Twinkle is already possessed of it. In the end, one has to give way and in most cases, it is the hereditary culture that usually degenerates and integrates with the new culture to form another culture. For instance, Twinkle spent most of her life in the U.S in California and had progressively adopted the new lifestyle while Sanjeev, spent most of his life in India (Lahiri, pp. 136-157).
They vary in many ways even though they come from the same religion and ethnicity. Furthermore, Twinkle does not know how to make Indian food, and Sanjeev is discontented with this, although, he acknowledges her energy and streak in the kitchen. It can be observed from the family that transitioning into a new life is quite difficult for immigrants and this can cause great damage to relationships, both at work and in families as seen in Sanjeev and Twinkle’s case (Lahiri, pp. 136-157).
Other issues that face immigrants include separation from family members and values, which they are critical of when they go back for a visit. The fear of losing family values and their repercussions on the overall scene is terrifying. Other immigrants also face the difficult decision of choosing between their families and green card. This is due to the time taken in processing documents that are usually long and would mean that couples stand a test of being separate for at least five years. This period of separation is too long for the nurturing of relationships within a family and is deemed to cause pain in an event of a breakup. Some cultures like Asians and particularly India where they still arrange marriages are proving difficult for immigrants. The immigrants, over time, acquire different cultures that are strange to their families and this causes jitters when there is a reunion of families, as they cannot quite understand one another (Lahiri, pp. 136-157).
Issues related to Identity crisis have been witnessed in the U.S and consist of cultural misunderstanding. Issues such as language barriers are vital especially when immigrants try to access facilities such as healthcare services, it is usually essential that the officers administering the services clearly understand patients, which is not always the case. This has forced the immigrants to put more effort into learning the new language, which is an introduction to a new culture. With time, they find themselves trapped between their origin and a new life. Exposure to taboos is quite rampant in their new lives. For instance, some forms of dressings offend the Muslims, and even Christians, but do not happen to others (Lahiri, pp. 136-157).
Some countries, like Saudi Arabia, where it is illegal to dress anyway would affect immigrants who move from it to many free countries like the U.S. They would be displeased with the kind of music, dressing, and behavior, but will have to respect them, as they have no power to bring their use to a stop. Other cultures, although very scarce nowadays due to economic disparities and modernization, do not encourage the female to work or take some responsibilities considered for males; these are issues that immigrants have to face in a new lifestyle, as the U.S where everyone’s right is of significance. Other issues include the interaction between the male and female sex. Cultures, especially from Arab countries for Instance in Somalia do not allow female patients to see male officers concerning their problems and give discreet information. Instead, they prefer fellow women officers, which contradicts with the cultures in western medicine. In this case, dealing with a female immigrant from Somalia in U.S hospitals would be very difficult (Lahiri, pp. 136-157).
Summary
The paper identifies bi-culturism in the story by Lahiri, of two newlywed couples of the same ethnicity, cultural background, but one from India and another, U.S. their likes and dislikes are different and this is due to the new culture presented to them. Twinkle having stayed in the U.S for a long, does not mind having an attic of Jesus in the house, while Sanjeev, is greatly displeased, the problems and issues surrounding their marriage emanate from this and proves difficult to solve. This is just one of the many ways through which bi-culturism leads to misunderstandings and can destroy families. The paper also talks of identity issues facing immigrants. The main disparity caused by bi-culturism is religion, which poses Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and others against each other. Mode of dressing is also a key element in bi-culturism that brings about issues (Lahiri, pp. 136-157).
Conclusion
Bi-culturism is an issue that faces all the immigrants coming into new environs. The issues must be controlled to ensure a fast and easy transition into the new culture. Immigrants face problems ranging from, religious differences, food preparations, and responsibilities of gender, cultural misunderstanding, and language barrier. This has made life more difficult for the immigrants, especially in their transitional period. Much has been done, however, regarding the policies to assist in their transition. Freedom of religion and speech is one of these and the government’s efforts in embracing different cultures have helped in ensuring faster transition. This, however, does not take away the constant issues facing families like that of Sanjeev and Twinkle. It is therefore imperative that more consideration is given to ways of mitigating the issue of identity during transitioning into a new culture (Chotiner, p. 1).
Works Cited
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- Conde, Maryse. I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem. Univ. of VA Press. 8. 01.2009. 0813927676
- Dangarembga, Tsitsi. Nervous Conditions. Lynne Rienner Publishers. 10.10.2004. 0954702336
- Lahiri, Jhumpa. Interpreter of Maladies.Mariner Books. pp. 136-157:039592720X. 1999. Web.
- Santiago, Danny. Famous All Over Town. Penguin Books. 606. 01. 1990. 0452259746
- Xinhua News Agency. U.S. population hits 300 million. Chinaview. 2006.