As a North East Indian living overseas, I have experienced
firsthand the struggles that come with trying to fit in and maintain my
identity in a foreign land. Despite being a part of the diverse and vibrant
Indian community, we often feel like outsiders due to the stereotypes and
misconceptions that exist about our culture, appearance, and language. In this
blog post, I will share 30 common struggles that North East Indians face
overseas and how we can overcome them.
1.
People not believing we are from India: As
North East Indians, we look different from the rest of the country due to our
Mongoloid features, which leads to many people questioning whether we are truly
Indian.
2.
The stereotype of what Indians are
supposed to look like: Due to the lack of representation of
North East Indians in mainstream media, people often assume that all Indians
look a certain way, leading to further confusion and misconceptions.
3.
Comments like "You don't look
Indian": This is a common remark that North East
Indians hear frequently, which can be frustrating and hurtful.
4.
Dealing with generalized views of India: Many
foreigners have a preconceived notion of what India is like based on what they
see in movies or on TV, which often does not represent the diversity of the
country.
6.
Dealing with language barriers:
North East Indians often speak their own dialects, which can be vastly
different from Hindi or English, making communication with non-North East
Indians difficult.
7.
Feeling like outsiders within the Indian
community: While we are all Indian, the cultural differences between
North East and other parts of India can create feelings of isolation within the
Indian community.
8.
Being asked if we are Chinese or Korean: Due
to our Mongoloid features, many people assume that we are from other Asian
countries.
9.
Being forced to assimilate:
North East Indians often feel pressured to assimilate to the dominant culture
and way of life in the country they are living in, which can be challenging.
10.
Struggling to maintain our cultural
identity: With the pressure to assimilate, it can be challenging to
maintain our cultural practices and traditions while living overseas.
11.
Dealing with discrimination and racism:
North East Indians are often the targets of discrimination and racism due to
their appearance and cultural differences.
12.
Struggling to find products that cater to
our skin and hair types: Due to our unique appearance, finding
products that cater to our specific skin and hair types can be a challenge.
13.
Being misunderstood due to language and
cultural differences: North East Indians often find themselves
misunderstood or misinterpreted due to language and cultural barriers.
14.
Being exoticized:
North East Indians are often viewed as exotic and fetishized due to their
appearance and cultural differences.
15.
Being expected to know Hindi: Many
non-Indians assume that all Indians speak Hindi, which can be frustrating for
North East Indians who speak their own dialects.
16.
Being stereotyped as good at martial
arts: Due to the popularity of martial arts in the North East,
many people assume that all North East Indians are skilled in martial arts.
17.
Dealing with homesickness:
Being far away from family and friends can be challenging, and North East
Indians often struggle with feelings of homesickness and isolation while living
overseas.
18.
Feeling disconnected from our roots: As
North East Indians, our cultural heritage is an important part of our identity,
and being away from our homeland can make us feel disconnected from our roots.
19.
Struggling to explain our cultural
practices to others: North East Indian culture is vastly different
from the rest of India, and explaining our practices and traditions to others
can be challenging.
20.
Being asked if we eat dog meat: This
is a common stereotype about North East Indians, and can be offensive and
hurtful.
21.
Being ignored in conversations about
India: North East Indians are often left out of conversations
about India, which can be frustrating and isolating.
22.
Being treated differently by other
Indians: Due to our cultural differences, North East Indians are
sometimes treated differently by other Indians, which can lead to further
feelings of isolation.
23. Struggling to find our traditional clothing:
24.
Being asked if we are from China or
Japan: This is another common assumption due to our Mongoloid
features, and can be frustrating and hurtful.
25.
Being asked if we know other North East
Indians: Due to the assumption that all North East Indians know
each other, we are often asked if we know other North East Indians, even if we
are from different regions.
26.
Struggling to find a sense of community:
North East Indians often struggle to find a sense of community and belonging
while living overseas.
27.
Being asked if we are from Nepal: Due
to our unique appearance, many people assume that we are from Nepal, which can
be frustrating and hurtful.
28.
Dealing with cultural appropriation:
North East Indian culture is often appropriated by non-North East Indians,
which can be offensive and disrespectful.
29.
Feeling like we have to constantly
educate others about our culture: Due to the lack of awareness
about North East Indian culture, we often feel like we have to constantly
educate others about our traditions and practices.
30.
Being proud of our North East Indian
identity: Despite the challenges that come with living overseas as a
North East Indian, we are proud of our cultural heritage and identity, and will
continue to fight for representation and understanding.
In conclusion, being a North East Indian living overseas comes with a unique set of challenges, from dealing with stereotypes and misconceptions to struggling to maintain our cultural identity. However, by educating others about our culture and traditions and finding a sense of community, we can overcome these challenges and find pride in our North East Indian identity.
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