Bengali. Bengali-American. American. Terrorist. These have been my labels all throughout high school and before. You may think I’m just another Asian immigrant but I’ve been a part of three cultures in the last 18 years,
Growing up in Bangladesh, I was bullied for being feminine to the point where I cried almost every night in bed. My backpack was torn apart by kids and my lunch stolen regularly. None of those mattered to my parents because they just cared about me getting a quality education. As a Bengali living in a strict community, I hid my feelings because expressing them would make my parents frustrated. They worried how I could go to college in the US for free but never bothered to hear my silent cries for help at night. The only person who took me seriously in our family was my aunt because my shy personality embarrassed my parents in society. Living in Bangladesh has taught me to be respectful and grateful to my elders, and no matter what they say or do, it’s always for our good. My parents have always dreamed of me becoming a doctor so that I could buy a big mansion for all of us to live in. …show more content…
The day I stopped considering anyone’s ethnicity or race and treated everyone equally was when I became a true American. I never did or will forget my Bengali roots. In addition to having a Bengali flag attached to my wall, I also have an American flag because that’s a part of my identity now.
I am immensely lucky to be a part of three cultures. One culture where I was strictly obedient and Bengali, one where I tried to be someone I wasn’t, and the last one is where I’m happily Bengali and American. When I take care of my aunt at home, I put my heart and soul into it because my because my Bengali culture has taught me to respect all my elders selflessly. As an American, I will speak up if I observe someone being racist, because I know what it’s like to be called a terrorist and feel
Growing up in Bangladesh, I was bullied for being feminine to the point where I cried almost every night in bed. My backpack was torn apart by kids and my lunch stolen regularly. None of those mattered to my parents because they just cared about me getting a quality education. As a Bengali living in a strict community, I hid my feelings because expressing them would make my parents frustrated. They worried how I could go to college in the US for free but never bothered to hear my silent cries for help at night. The only person who took me seriously in our family was my aunt because my shy personality embarrassed my parents in society. Living in Bangladesh has taught me to be respectful and grateful to my elders, and no matter what they say or do, it’s always for our good. My parents have always dreamed of me becoming a doctor so that I could buy a big mansion for all of us to live in. …show more content…
The day I stopped considering anyone’s ethnicity or race and treated everyone equally was when I became a true American. I never did or will forget my Bengali roots. In addition to having a Bengali flag attached to my wall, I also have an American flag because that’s a part of my identity now.
I am immensely lucky to be a part of three cultures. One culture where I was strictly obedient and Bengali, one where I tried to be someone I wasn’t, and the last one is where I’m happily Bengali and American. When I take care of my aunt at home, I put my heart and soul into it because my because my Bengali culture has taught me to respect all my elders selflessly. As an American, I will speak up if I observe someone being racist, because I know what it’s like to be called a terrorist and feel