Do you feel more British/Aussie/American then Pakistani?
I was born in Britain, but dont really give it much thought. I mean, I’m far more British then Pakistani in terms of how I act, think and in concepts which are grounded in culture-this is my culture, but in some things I still support Pakistan…its an uncontrolable thing.
So which is it?
Whats your country-or are we just in a no mans land. To Pakistani to be accepted, but to Western to be “real” Pakistanis?
I used to think I was balanced out. Ya know, with my Indian culture and my American culture. Now, ever since I reverted to Islam, I feel distant from both, I feel like I'm more Muslim then anything else ever. Living in America, I feel like im living here because I was brought to expand my knowledge of Islam to kaffirs, but at the same, to show them how we can still live in peace with each other. However, I don't feel too uncomfortable here, I know what American culture is like, and I know my limits.
I didn't really feel Pakistani until I went to Pakistan and saw it for myself. Growing up, we wore shalwar kameez everywhere, watched the dramas/movies, ate the food, etc. and although I was extremely comfortable with this, I never really took it all as 'Pakistani' ... hmmm ... this makes no sense. :D I mean, it was my culture, but I never really experienced it first-hand in Pakistan. To me, it was just something we did at home.
Personally speaking, I needed to go to Pakistan and see it for myself before I was able to say, "o.k. this is me, I am Pakistani and this is where I come from". I say this because although we were taught the culture, sent to Urdu classes, etc. I had never actually physically been to Pakistan until last October at the age of 24.
Now, after going and seeing where I'm from, seeing where my parents were born and where they used to live in Karachi, I can say that I am Pakistani. I never felt like this two years ago. Two years ago, I also saw myself as a western born and raised girl of Pakistani decent. Now, I see myself as a Pakistani-Canadian.
Confusing, but makes sense to me. :p
I grew up going to Pakistani dinners, wearing Pakistani clothes, eating Pakistani food, but I don't know that I would call myself solely Pakistani. In fact, when I was younger, I would've insisted that I was American, and nothing more.
My connection to another culture is part of what makes me American, since I always felt that that diversity and connection is what America is all about.
I feel strong ties to Pakistan, I visit there regularly, I love it, often I want to live there. But I don't know that I can call myself Pakistani. I am Pakistani American.
As for religion, I think I am more consciously a Muslim when I am in America. I am more comfortable in my religion here. I don't know why that is.
About your last point, legbreakgoogly:
[quote]
Whats your country-or are we just in a no mans land. To Pakistani to be accepted, but to Western to be "real" Pakistanis?
[/quote]
I don't know, but in some ways, I feel I am not "Western" enough to be Pakistani :p
I guess we are somewhat in no-man's land. But it's kind of neat to be able to have enough perspective on a culture to see both its strengths and weakness and to be able to decide where you fit in for yourself.
ummz, if i cuold break things down i think id say i was 60-70% pakistani and the rest being australian.. when i was younger i always thought i was pure pakistani, like 100% and would cry if someone called me an australian (i was very distraught when i got my aussie citizenship).. but now, i feel honoured to be an aussie and still be pakistani.
as with sahar.. i grew up going to paki dinners/functions/cultural nights u name it.. going to an aussie thing was odd and thats why i never thought of being anything but a Pakistani..
but once u start working or going to uni, u interact with so many other cultures, that u realise how wonderful it is being part of this aussie culture, thats a mix of 100's of other cultures
^ are you guys serious? You grew up in a ulticultural society and didn;t interact or mix with other cultures? A life wasted if you ask me.
^ Who said we didn't?
Matsui.. yeah it is quite sad.. the only interaction i had as a kid with other cutlures was at school... and the rest of the time i spent with other paki families..
i dont think its as wasted as u think though. When ur kid, you need some sort of foundation, u need to belong and i felt just that.. :)
I didnt really do the whole Asian culture thing. I still dont really like Asian food, prefer mash. :)
Is Australia highly racist as a society. I have friends in WA near Perth and they say its not so bad....but other people who have been there say its a mass of people shouting "Asian invasion"...?
I'm a British Pakistani. I have a sense of being drawn to Pakistan-but thats almost subconscious. I reject many of the aspects of traditional Pakistani culture.
I feel that for the Americans here it is slightly easier to find a balance and feel ok with it. I mean the US was never really an imperial power (bar the Phillipines) so the people there wouldnt have a baggage of being the historic imperial masters.
The US is a melting pot of cultures from its inception, whilst Britain has a long standing History of physical domination of the colored people of this world which builds into the national persona a deeper racism.
Make sense?
my parents were always against sending us to islamic school and anywhere they thought our heads would be filled with biased jargon.. so even pakistani functions were limited..
now, my parents would be happier if i went out with aussies than pakistanis.. its wierd
legbreakgoogly... uve got me to the 76th person i know whose asked whether OZ is racist..
it really depends on where you are or what u choose to listen to.. i find it to be an awesome country to live in.. and if i had kids, id love to bring them up here
Well is it?
I have a favorable view of Aust (cos of the Cricket)-and have a mate at Claufield Grammar in Melb who is Iranian and really likes it, but others have complained.
I assume the big cities are ok, but what about the rural places , or the small towns like Wooloongong?
^ umm i dunno.. it comes down to attitude..
i had a mate who was an international student from Pakistan and he worked in a rural area somewhere in NSW.. and he was very well received being the only desi there
i have a lot of hijabi friends, and they get so much respect from "aussies"
u mean Caulfield Grammar right? hehe
Yeah..
They play Wesley at the Cricket. Big derby right?
Love to come to Aust. :)
I have met so many nice folks from Aussie that I don;t know where this siht about them being racist cones from. They are loads of fun, outgoing and wonderful people. I love you, my Pakistani australians guppies. 
i think so... im not sure where Caulfield Grammar is ... its prob near the racecourse.. hmm
Matty.. we love u too hehe
people should ignore the one or two comments that are made to them.. why live in a knot all ur life? move out if u cant handle the .05% of idiots here.. besides they're prob just upset their team lost the footy
Is CG better then Wesley College?
ummm im not sure.. i think wesley people are meant to be the stuck up ones.. i'll find out from my 15 yr old friend.. she knows which ones better
Aussies are great, friendly people....
I have been there twice and had no racial problems as such.
.