Growing up Indian-American gave me the best of both worlds

I’m an Indian American and I hate being categorized. Many Indian-Americans are aware of the terms “FOB” which means “fresh off the boat”, or “white-washed,” which means exactly what it sounds like. These two terms are the worst thing a culture could do to itself.

Honestly, I grew up in America in a household raised by two amazing, hardworking Indian immigrants – so I’m proud of the two cultures I exhibit.

Here’s a picture of my adorable parents

My parents moved here when I was two and half years old, so obviously I don’t have an Indian accent or know how to fluently speak any Indian languages but that does not make me “white-washed.” So many times, I have had Indian kids themselves say to me, “yeah but you’re basically white Shruthi, you don’t even count.”

Excuse me what? I was born in India, I grew up with parents who spoke to me in my native language, Telugu, and every Friday night when we were younger, we watched Hindi movies for movie night, so please don’t try to rid me of my culture for being American. On the contrary, because my parents spoke to me in Telugu and we watched Bollywood movies, does not automatically make me “fobby.” What it does make me is Indian-American.

I have been blessed to be exposed to two cultures and have become a product of my environment, as well as my heritage. What most kids don’t understand is that being the children of immigrants, we don’t have to automatically be categorized within ourselves; it’s okay to be a character of both cultures and to be proud of who you are. In fact, it is SO much fun being a part of two cultures and morphing it into what you want to make who you are.

I couldn’t even imagine what my life would be like if I didn’t get to dress up in Indian clothes and attend insanely fun Indian parties (because obviously any little occasion calls for celebration), but I also couldn’t imagine what my life would be like without Taco Bell (judge me, it’s fine, it’s a gross guilty pleasure) and my amazing friends of all cultures, which I wouldn’t have been able to relate to if I wasn’t American.

Being Indian, I get to learn and understand other languages, eat delicious foods (Pani Puri, am I right, folks?), and learn morals and stories from Hindu scriptures for any problem I ever face in life (shout out to my mom).

Dressing up in Indian clothes is honestly an euphoric experience

But being American, I get to have the privilege of attending school and growing up with kids from all over the world, indulging in burgers and tailgates, as well as being whoever I want to be.

Nothing like a night in with best friends from high school. Note: diversity gets wild

Classic Temple Tailgating, wouldn’t trade it in for anything

So next time you think about using the terms “white-washed” or “fobby,” just take a second and think if you really want to separate those terms when you can damn well be both and be proud – why not have the best of both worlds?