Influence of Indian Culture on my American Upbringing

Underneath the skin, every human being is the same. We all have the same body parts and the same necessities - to eat, breathe, and drink in order to survive. What sets us apart is what lies above; each person is different, carefully sculpted from a mixture of genes. A human being is different from all other species in that it is heavily influenced by the environment, and most importantly, culture. Each person is unique, having a personality, a set of values, and a list of goals that are created as a result of the influence of his culture.

The Indian culture does not just include the classical dancing and singing. It does not even include just religion and the study of various gods and scriptures. The Indian culture is more of a way of life and the values it conveys and teaches through various aspects like the arts and religion. Having an Indian background sets me apart from many Americans .I get the best of two cultures, two ways of life. Sometimes it can be confusing and other times, downright frustrating. It did not always seem fair to me that I had to go sing at another temple on a Saturday morning and my friends got to sleep in, or that my friends got to have a good time at a party that I was not allowed to attend. I cannot count the numerous times that I had wished my Indian culture away, or felt pangs of longing for a life that I could never have.

As a child gets older, an appreciation for his life begins to develop. Those irksome music classes inadvertently become enjoyable and the monthly temple visits become relaxing. These once bothersome activities give definition to my life by instilling values that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Seemingly endless music competitions and music classes allowed for the development of an appreciation of the Indian arts. As a result of discovering my own talent, I began to understand and appreciate everyone else's individual and unique abilities. Daily prayer and a strong faith in God allowed me to have faith in myself and my abilities.

Having an Indian background in an American society can either be a nightmare or a blessing, depending on how one looks at it. People say that having a mixed culture only confuses the child. I say it makes me just a little more unique