From: banerjee@titan.trl.OZ.AU (Arindam Banerjee)
Subject: Re: Problems faced by Indian immigrants not common to Chinese or
Organization: Telecom Research Labs, Melbourne, Australia
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 00:27:18 GMT

> Challenges:
> 
> (1) Religious misunderstanding
> 
> There is little understanding of Hinduism and Islam in the U.S..
> Many Chinese immigrants and some Japanese immigrants converted
> to Christianity and received acculturation help from church
> groups.  Few (if any) Hindus or Muslims have converted to
> Christianity.  The caste system does not transport outside of
> India, making it difficult to maintain traditions.

Very correct.  I would add that the ignorance of religions such as
Hinduism and Islam is less a challenge than the desire of U.S. people to
remain as ignorant as possible about these religions.
But do not blame the caste system so much, it really deals with a larger
social context, foer example the joint family system, or at least the
extended family. The real challenges regarding tradition relate to
maintaining the language and basic culture which come under threat.
  
> (2) The U.S. image of India
> 
> The 1900s romantic/exotic/mystic poor third-world image of India
> seen in American movies makes it hard to reconcile the highly
> skilled and educated professionals that have immigrated in the
> 1970s and 80s.  In some cases, the image of Gandhi suggests that
> Asian Indians are no "threat", whereas the image of Hare
> Krishnas might be an embarrassment.

You are again right, but you see, India's poverty is an embarrassment,
not a challenge for people who have left India for personal benefit. 
> (3) International Politics
> 
> The Gadar Movement in the early 1900s was an example of
> political activism (freedom fighters -v-terrorist?)  by the
> American A-I community causing grief to American politics since
> Britain was our ally in WW-I.  Oddly, India is an active
> democracy yet it receives little if any political recognition.
> Is this some after effect of British colonialism?  Are Asian
> Indians more involved in American politics because of their
> experience with democracy?  Do A-I hold a stronger long term
> goal of returning to India than immigrants from China or Japan?
>
I would say that India's support of the Soviet Union has not helped
immigrants in US. India also took a stand against the US about the
Vietnam war. The socialist and protectionist policies of the Indian Govt
have made India irrelevant to the West - though India is a democracy.
But things are changing, and fast.
 
> (4) Group Support
> 
> Are Asian Indians less likely to form immigrant supports groups
> than Chinese or Japanese?  India's history was full of large
> empires with many different languages and little mixing.  Some
> of this is reflected in the caste system.  Is there less sense
> of unity and more focus on individualism?

I would say that Indians get a great deal of support from family, caste
or region - based basis. I cannot compare with Chinese or Japanese.
Since the general Indian atitude is to accept places and people as they
are - this has a deep theological basis unconsciously felt - they do
blend into whatever surroundings they can reach, whether US or Africa or
Europe or even the Arab states.
You are wrong about mixing - we are a very mixed race inddeed. This is
because a high caste man could marry any woman of equivalent or lower
caste; their children would have his high caste. Our many different
languages have a common relation to the natural language Prakrit which
was subsequently refined to classical Sanskrit.
You are right about individualism - a Hindu's goal is to realize
salvation and how he does it is his own business, though he can get help
from his guru, or spiritual guide. We are all united - more or less - on
this issue, and this is our unity, but we are very disorganised, and now
that is the challenge.

Best wishes for your project. Email me if you wish.

Arindam Banerjee 
> I'd appreciate any comments, suggestions, and even arguments
> with the above.  My paper is due next Monday and I've discovered
> the internet is a fantastic way to discuss ideas.  I apologize
> in advance if my comments or questions are insulting to anyone,
> my intention is to learn.
> 
> Alex Miller     DISCLAIMER: my employer doesn't tell me opinions
> amiller@almaden.ibm.com     opinions, so these must be mine.
Xref: sparky soc.culture.indian:38044 soc.culture.sri-lanka:1340