Last week someone said to me: “Your children probably won’t be practicing Muslims like you. Every generation in America gets less attached to culture and religion and more assimilated to the American lifestyle.”
That really got me thinking... why can’t we have both?
I consider myself blessed to live in a nation full of such diversity, where people of different backgrounds come together in various communities. Although the majority of immigrants will say that they assimilate successfully into American culture over time, I think many would also agree that they manage to stay in touch with their roots.
Why should we have to lose our background, and forget the obstacles our ancestors overcame, their traditions, their values? When you come to America, you are obviously starting a new life. You are leaving behind a completely different community, but that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to keep the traditions of that community alive. You grow to understand and love everything the U.S. has to offer, but if you want to continue to learn about your original identity then I see nothing wrong with that. I hope my children will be practicing Muslims, and will appreciate not only their religion but their Egyptian heritage. I also hope they will take pride in being American, and contribute as much as they can to society.
In today’s political climate, it is easy to associate unique customs with fear and apprehension. But why fear outsiders when they are really just trying to hold onto a piece of the land they once called home? Before we make assumptions about languages or clothing or traditions, we should learn from one another. There’s still a lot of cultures and religions that I’m not familiar with, and I hope that I can continue to learn more about them. It shouldn’t be scary to meet someone who’s different than you; it should be exciting.
So, in response to the remark I heard last week, it is perfectly acceptable to practice your faith, to engage in activities of your culture, and to be proud of it. It doesn’t, or shouldn’t, make you un-American. You can maintain your sense of cultural and religious identity while embracing your role in American society. This is what ultimately make this such a unique nation to live in. While sharing so many similarities with your neighbor, you can also learn about an entire world you never knew existed—that’s what makes America great.
