This ABPD is back, not that I have gone anywhere.

I was rather surprised of the various messages that I’ve received thanking me for this development of the term ‘ABPD.’ I return your thanks, but I must say, this term was within us all this while. It’s just a matter of how we decide to develop on it, to help it gradually evolve and settle within our communities. For that, I need everyone’s help and support.

I encourage those in the Indian community to stop using the term ‘ABCD.’ If your child does feel like they are stuck in a grey area, help them out by communicating with them along with understanding what it takes to being comfortable.

The concept of being comfortable is tricky. It comes and goes, it takes various shapes and forms. Just when you think you feel at ease with yourself, something from around the corner will catch you by surprise and cause you to contemplate whether or not you’re actually ‘comfortable.’

By becoming comfortable with ourselves, it requires great leaders and influences. The partial reason as to why a person may be conflicted of choosing which culture to identify with is because of peer pressure. One of the biggest names out there in headlines today is Donald Trump. I know, it’s rather unfortunate that I have succumbed to dragging him into this piece, but he has brought upon an unnecessary, incompetent fear to our nation that cannot go without mention. To compare a developing human being whom has no real raw sense as to what is going on as Trojan horse is just absurd. He has caused unnecessary havoc and chaos in what could have been contained and dismissed. The fear which people feel when meeting people not like themselves; well, he fed on it and the fire just seems to burn on. People of diverse culture grew to have no voice again. Especially with this recent presidential circus of an election-people who are the slightest bit different are seemingly shut down. Especially those of brown skin. It’s become the events of 9/11 all over again.

No wonder people of Indian descent are confused whether to stick to their roots. When people such as Trump are feeding off the fears of those considered ‘rightfully here,’ would they not rather be more American than lean towards their traditions and roots? It seems as if that is the root cause of why the problems arose in the first place right? Why bother even considering to be Indian, just be the typical American that society wants you to be- is that not the standard norm now?

Wrong, there are others out there fighting for inclusiveness within culture and diversity. People- leaders, are speaking out and for those who going through this struggle of identity of cultures. We have a tenfold of people who are speaking up for everyone who pushes being unique away. President Barack Obama had spoke out for the Muslim community who recently was under fire because of the massive shootings going around as well as ISIS. “You fit in here, right here. You’re right where you belong-you’re a part of America too. You are not Muslim or American. You are Muslim AND American” (White House Weekly Address 2/3/2016). My understanding of this was that when a person as powerful as the President of the United States- also to be considered to be the most powerful country, is recognizing that cultural identity is an evolving issue brings a warmth in our hearts with those struggling with this reality. He recognized the need to see each other as well as ourselves for who we are which is a blend of all cultures and their virtues. That is indeed the foundation of what is known as America. If we start to address and educate, speak to others about such prevailing topics, we may start to see a sense of community and togetherness rather than isolation and fear.

Yes, the President did indeed address this specifically to Muslims, but I feel that anyone of a diverse culture may relate. Whether you are Chinese, Canadian, African, Egyptian, Indian, etc., you are what you are and you should embrace it rather than push it aside because one told you to do so.

So, embrace your child for who they are. Stop comparing your children to others and creating unnecessary conflicts and tensions, it creates the possibility of having a low self-esteem.  Encourage them to be the best that they could possibly be (as cliche as that may sound), because it is the simple thoughts and concepts that matter. Tell them in the end, always be comfortable being YOU, because at the end of the day, it will be you and you alone… and no one can take that away even if they tried.