British Indians : by Vinay Chhana from Hornchurch , East London
THE GOOD IMMIGRANT
Book Review
British Indians : by Vinay Chhana from Hornchurch , East London
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THE GOOD IMMIGRANT
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NAMASTE
We Prajapatis live in interesting times . Mass concern around “ immigration ” has resurfaced here in Britain in the last three years . In fact , a number of us Brits voted to “ take control ” of it in summer . “ Immigrants ” are often blamed for the unnecessary strain on the NHS and for claiming excessive housing and job seekers ’ allowances . Do you recognise it from past experience ?
Many of us Prajapatis hold British passports . Some of us were at some time “ immigrants .” People complained about us , threw stones at us , told us to go “ back home ” during the 1970 ’ s and 1980 ’ s . For second- and thirdgeneration Indians here , the lines are blurred . It ’ s neither clear if we still are “ immigrants ,” nor who we see as “ immigrants .”
Our identity does change based on the audience , and it seems that we ’ re used to it . We often define ourselves as British , sometimes Indian , sometimes Asian . Sometimes our background doesn ’ t matter . But today , it matters again .
Nikesh Shukla is a British Indian author , who fits into this group . He recently published a book , which brought together the views of a number of British people who are also Asian .
It ’ s called “ The Good Immigrant .” You may recognise faces such as Riz Ahmed and Himesh Patel ; the smart one from the film Four Lions and Tamwar in Eastenders . They ’ ve given their take on their experience as Asians in Britain .
Expect Yoga , Muslims and Bollywood
They find that the way others see our culture restricts us . The writer Nikesh Shukla is often frustrated by yoga enthusiasts who patronise him with a “ Namaste ”, comedian Nish Kumar couldn ’ t believe people on the internet thought he was a “ confused Muslim ” or the schoolmates of actor Himesh Patel laughing at him for suggesting they watch a Bollywood film ( It ’ s “ Rang de Basanti ” if you ’ re interested ).
44 vol . 41 | Prajapati Sandesh 2016
Those around us , who don ’ t know our experiences and identities , do restrict their knowledge of us to lifestyle options , religion and overly expressive film . Plain and simple , it ’ s the big broad differences that people see .
Expectations are great , but are we framing them ?
Journalist Kieran Yates ( yes she is Indian !) tells us of her frustration that her cousins in India call her “ a proper coconut ” i . e . she ’ s not Indian enough . Instead of taking offence , Yates wears it like a badge and acknowledges what unites her with her cousins . That includes singer Zayn Malik and today ’ s Bollywood films . They don ’ t like them for the same reasons , but it ’ s those subtle differences that matter .
Yates also recounts how funny she finds the skin whitening cream “ Fair ’ N ’ Lovely .” Commonplace in India , but a horrifying idea to Brits ,
“ I LEARNED QUICKLY THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN JOKES THE WHITE COMMUNITY CAN ’ T EVER REALLY FIND FUNNY BECAUSE
THE PUNCHLINE MEANS WADING THROUGH GASPS OF HORROR OR
SYMPATHY , OR WORSE , LENGTHY
EXPLANATIONS WHENEVER YOU MAKE A QUIP ABOUT SKIN LIGHTENING , ARRANGED
MARRIAGE OR HATE CRIMES .”
Again , British Asian identity changes with the audience . Yates says , “ I know when to keep quiet … keeping your head down is part of the immigrant experience .” Up until now , we worried that our British neighbours ’ views restricted us , we also worried that we were losing our Indian identity . These issues appear greater in our minds than in reality .
We ’ re shown , above all , that we , as individuals , a community , and our perception in the media , have nothing to lose , and everything to gain .
The book teaches us that we have everything to gain from the influences around us . We can pick and choose . Yates sums up her own identity as “ Bhangra and grime playing out of your cousin ’ s BMW , sending pictures of you in Air Max 90 ’ s and a sari to a Whatsapp group .” Nish Kumar embraces his own identity “ an articulate British-Indian geek ” with inspiration from Jewish-American comedy . The challenge then is managing others ’ expectations of us .
Well , you could say “ it ’ s about being in on the joke ” when you reclaim parts of identity you ’ re supposed to feel ashamed about .
So British Asians , wear your identity like a badge , however it looks . Nish Kumar for instance has an “ ethnically ambiguous face .”
And tell your British and Indian neighbours what to expect of you , and your particular mix of British and Indian ( or African ).
“ dõs ¡ or wait is that AphÅ ¡ in a horrendously anglicised accent !
The Good Immigrant by Nikesh Shukla www . Amazon . co . uk £ 8.99
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