I walked into Borders determined to get in and get out. I quickly grabbed my book and power-walked to the check out. As I retrieved my credit card from my purse, the cashier uttered, "Um, there's a line." I looked behind me to see a line of people, wrapped around every corner, almost reaching the middle of the store. I am not sure how I missed this clearly evident line, but I shamefully walked to the back embarrassed for my mistake. Being the dedicated reader I am, I waited in line for a good half hour. Behind me, I noticed an Indian woman. She wore a white coat and jeans and carried a simple, beige purse. Her dark skin and black hair was the only hint to her heritage. I did not mean to stare but I felt curious as to see what book she was buying. The book was some sort of guide for the INS Citizenship Test. Then, the woman answered the phone and said, "Hi Baba." I knew she must have been talking to her father since Gogol called his father Baba as well. I was so bored waiting in line I could not help but to listen to her conversation. She attempted to describe to her father what Borders was. She kept repeating "Library Baba" and saying simple phrases such as "books." She had a prevalent, heavy Indian accent. After she hung up the phone, she let out a long sigh.
I couldn't help but feel sorry for this woman. Whether she was buying the book for herself or her father she clearly felt flustered by her phone conversation. I imagined myself in her position and how it must have felt for her to educate her father on the American lifestyle. I assume she must have to explain a lot to him if he did not know what Borders was. I remember feeling annoyed and frustrated with Ashima at the beginning of the story. Her stubbornness towards accepting an American lifestyle bothered me. The situation in the Borders line today caused me to reflect on my past feelings. I would feel so alone and isolated if I lived somewhere where I had to pass a test in order to belong. My heart went out for this woman and the struggles she must face every day.
I have several friends whose parents are foreign born and they too share similar experiences as the woman you noticed. They often have to explain to their parents some aspects of American culture that I take for granted. Although I feel sympathy for them sometimes, I also envy the fact that they can experience multiple cultures, whereas I only experience American culture.
ReplyDelete