Food from home played a big part in her life. Kothari was born in New York City, to parents who held strongly to their Indian roots. As a child, Kothari longed to become more like her American friends, “I want to eat what the kids at school eat; bologna, hot dogs, salami - food my parents find reputant” (Kothari 172). As Kothari grows up, she remembers the times she wished she had a more “American” life, although now she appreciates Indian cooking more than ever. Kothari realizes the similarities she and her mother shared involving food “For my mother, giving up on her disgust of lobster, with its hard exterior and foreign smell, would mean renouncing some essential difference. It would mean becoming, decidedly, definitely, --- American. But I haven’t eaten lobster in years, in my kitchen there is a thirteen pound bag of batsmati rice, jars of lime pickles, and unlabeled bottles of spices” (Kothari 180). As Kothari grew older, she was able to identify herself as an individual, rather than having to live up to the standards of her American friends. She could be unique, different, and still a thriving American …show more content…
The common use of food, family, friends. dance, and literature within their cultures is what brings them, and many others together. These women found their identity in a new culture, but also in the culture they were born into. Through food, dance, and literature, you are given an insight to their stories, and how they took on new identities while still remaining steadfast to their home culture. Nafisi is brought together with women in her community through literature. Kothari relates to her Indian heritage through the food her parents prepare, and Cofer looks back on her family's gatherings and remembers how dancing brought them all together as a community. The stories from each of the women were inspiring in their own way. They are living examples that go to show how one can have feelings of both belonging and isolation within a culture, but through time, trials, and trying new things, you can find your identity, be successful and thrive while still keeping to your