Mishti!! What a wonderfully written piece - bridging the gap between cultures, families, what home means. "We are creatures of love, tribes, and connection. We need stories and symbols to share" Such a pleasure to read.
Thank you so much for reading this, dear friend! So much of your writing recently has resonated with my emerging thoughts on these themes too. A neighbor commented to me recently that more deeply knowing people and places often come down one phrase: all different, all the same. Within that, so many stories to unfold.
Didn’t realize this piece was from 2022 until I came to leave a comment.. If you had written and released this piece last week, it would’ve fit just fine - which says a lot about the tension of the present, and how we exercise animosity because of msm and louder voices out there.
I grew up in a small town close to Berrien Springs, and I now live in Austin. It’s beautiful to think of the ways my life could have unfolded if I had stayed.. maybe I’d find a Gandhi statue somewhere in that little downtown, something like you have in Secaucus.
I especially love the compassion with which you covered your experiences in, which is not easy as an Indian girl in a Camo jacket. I understand and resonate with that dichotomy, but it’s a small chunk of the battle our parents chose to fight and embrace when they chose to immigrate here years ago. I think that’s why I felt a lot of solace in your piece, although it’s 2 years old, it felt like a weighted blanket in this post-election winter.
This made my day to read — thank you so much, crazy that you stumbled across this essay now. Love hearing about your tracks from southwest Michigan to Austin and very grateful that a sense of love / compassion / curiosity came across in this piece. Hope to see more of that in the world, especially when people interact with different cultures (broadly defined). Things are so connected <3
"The story of Secaucus—or Queens, or Brooklyn—is part of America, perhaps even my favorite part of America. But when I was growing up, it always felt distinct from the real America."
This part at the beginning really resonated, and the rest of the piece was a beautiful read as well, thanks for sharing Mishti :)
Ahh, so glad this resonated, and thank you so much for reading it. Would love to talk next time we meet about your experiences / how they've evolved as well!
Your piece is as interesting as expected, Mishti. I love discovering parts of the world you visit and enjoy your descriptions of experiences. Even as I read it I was suddenly aware that I was also in a very small town in central India and interestingly enough we also referred to it as the “real India”. Keep writing and sharing your well written pieces.
Thank you so much for the kind words. That's such an interesting comment about your parallel experiences in India. There's something about small towns / more rural areas that invites at least the perception of authenticity or something 'real.' I wonder what that is!
My lovely friend Sophia Swanson sent this piece to me, and it really struck a chord. I’m from Stevensville/St. Joe, which as you probably know is only 15 minutes or so from Berrien, and it was great to hear this perspective.
I go to school at Dartmouth, so the classic Ivy League bubble’s feelings toward “Middle America” were always stunning and off-putting to me. College friends are shocked to learn I had friends in high school who weren’t white, can’t believe that I don’t wish hellfire upon all republicans (and I am super duper liberal), and don’t understand a lot of the conventions I find typical.
You illuminated a lot of the “quirks” of the heartland in this country and the supposedly strange but ultimately comprehensible contradictions of the land. I really loved viewing our area through your eyes. Not only that, but you’re a fantastic writer. Keep it up.
Hey Carter! Your message made my day. It's such a small world that got us to end up talking here, too! It means a lot that you thought I captured a slice of your home county with an empathetic eye. I loved it so much there, and it was my worst fear that I'd come off as judgmental or generalizing to people who have built lives there. I wish all of my friends from the NYC metro could do a swap and live in "middle America" and vice versa, because those "strange but ultimately comprehensible contradictions" often escape notice. Here's to more people getting more comfortable with the contractions, recognizing each other as messy and being okay living in gray areas, especially as 2024 looms closer. (P.S. St. Joe is a super special place. Next time I'm back, I'm going out for a surf!)
This was absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing. I would like with your permission to share with the staff of Ridgewood High School. Looking forward to catching up.
It's so wonderful to hear from you! I'd be honored if you wanted to share this with anyone, especially RHS staff — many of you are part of the reason that I seek out stories and write. Sending a big virtual hug and so much gratitude your way. I'd love to catch up anytime.
Late, but finally got to read this. Mishti, your words never cease to amaze me. There is so much beauty and truth in your writing and that rings true with this piece. Growing up with much of my family in the Midwest, it wasn’t until recent years when I’ve started to “other them.” It’s a good reflection that listening and compassion can go a long way! Love this! Thank you!
This piece is incredibly well written and evokes the sense of shared humanity you felt with the people you met. I enjoyed your impressionistic style of writing as well. You must collect these pieces into a book!
It is vital to recognize our shared humanity with others if political bridges are to be formed. By the same token, perhaps we should expect more from those we meet if those bridges are ever to materialize.
America is an incredibly rich country. It is also an incredibly poor one, and not economically. For instance, you can see it in the poverty of ethics and spirit characteristic of Republicans who condone inhumane practices such as the (sometimes permanent) "separation" of asylum-seeking children and their parents. The carpenter knew an incredible amount about nuclear science. How did he feel about climate science? How would the gun enthusiasts you met justify the prevailing view among their community that gun rights should be unrestricted, even in the face of routine mass shootings (like the one last night against Asians in California)? The woman at the Republican event smiled because you sang "I'm proud to be American". Would she have the same amiable thought if she heard you singing something in Hindi? Perhaps collecting assault rifles and guitars are not comparable?
I know you were a guest in that town and as such I wouldn't expect you to confront your hosts or their friends on these issues. It may have been rude or boorish to do so. But do spare a thought in your later assessment about the real-world implications of the abhorrent ideas held by some of the quaint, folksy, salt of the Earth you came across!
(By the way I'm only referring to the people whom you met at the gun range and the Republican tent, etc., and not to people in the town en masse).
My dear Lord - these last 22 years have honed you into a woman of real heart, passion, skills and substance. What an excellent piece of writing - and looking at it from the outside-in, just the kind of sentiment that America and other parts of the world need to see and feel.
This is the kind of thought leadership which changes lives and nations - I hope you go on to do the same.
I deeply regret not having spent many many more hours watching you grow up from that brilliant kid I loved chatting with, during those brief few years I spent Stateside, but I will make it a goal to try and remedy that as soon as possible.
Keep up the great work, sustain the passion and change the world!
Mishti!! What a wonderfully written piece - bridging the gap between cultures, families, what home means. "We are creatures of love, tribes, and connection. We need stories and symbols to share" Such a pleasure to read.
Thank you so much for reading this, dear friend! So much of your writing recently has resonated with my emerging thoughts on these themes too. A neighbor commented to me recently that more deeply knowing people and places often come down one phrase: all different, all the same. Within that, so many stories to unfold.
Didn’t realize this piece was from 2022 until I came to leave a comment.. If you had written and released this piece last week, it would’ve fit just fine - which says a lot about the tension of the present, and how we exercise animosity because of msm and louder voices out there.
I grew up in a small town close to Berrien Springs, and I now live in Austin. It’s beautiful to think of the ways my life could have unfolded if I had stayed.. maybe I’d find a Gandhi statue somewhere in that little downtown, something like you have in Secaucus.
I especially love the compassion with which you covered your experiences in, which is not easy as an Indian girl in a Camo jacket. I understand and resonate with that dichotomy, but it’s a small chunk of the battle our parents chose to fight and embrace when they chose to immigrate here years ago. I think that’s why I felt a lot of solace in your piece, although it’s 2 years old, it felt like a weighted blanket in this post-election winter.
This made my day to read — thank you so much, crazy that you stumbled across this essay now. Love hearing about your tracks from southwest Michigan to Austin and very grateful that a sense of love / compassion / curiosity came across in this piece. Hope to see more of that in the world, especially when people interact with different cultures (broadly defined). Things are so connected <3
"The story of Secaucus—or Queens, or Brooklyn—is part of America, perhaps even my favorite part of America. But when I was growing up, it always felt distinct from the real America."
This part at the beginning really resonated, and the rest of the piece was a beautiful read as well, thanks for sharing Mishti :)
Ahh, so glad this resonated, and thank you so much for reading it. Would love to talk next time we meet about your experiences / how they've evolved as well!
Your piece is as interesting as expected, Mishti. I love discovering parts of the world you visit and enjoy your descriptions of experiences. Even as I read it I was suddenly aware that I was also in a very small town in central India and interestingly enough we also referred to it as the “real India”. Keep writing and sharing your well written pieces.
Thank you so much for the kind words. That's such an interesting comment about your parallel experiences in India. There's something about small towns / more rural areas that invites at least the perception of authenticity or something 'real.' I wonder what that is!
Hey Mishti,
My lovely friend Sophia Swanson sent this piece to me, and it really struck a chord. I’m from Stevensville/St. Joe, which as you probably know is only 15 minutes or so from Berrien, and it was great to hear this perspective.
I go to school at Dartmouth, so the classic Ivy League bubble’s feelings toward “Middle America” were always stunning and off-putting to me. College friends are shocked to learn I had friends in high school who weren’t white, can’t believe that I don’t wish hellfire upon all republicans (and I am super duper liberal), and don’t understand a lot of the conventions I find typical.
You illuminated a lot of the “quirks” of the heartland in this country and the supposedly strange but ultimately comprehensible contradictions of the land. I really loved viewing our area through your eyes. Not only that, but you’re a fantastic writer. Keep it up.
PS: the fair is great. A special treat, honestly.
Thanks for the insight!
Carter
Hey Carter! Your message made my day. It's such a small world that got us to end up talking here, too! It means a lot that you thought I captured a slice of your home county with an empathetic eye. I loved it so much there, and it was my worst fear that I'd come off as judgmental or generalizing to people who have built lives there. I wish all of my friends from the NYC metro could do a swap and live in "middle America" and vice versa, because those "strange but ultimately comprehensible contradictions" often escape notice. Here's to more people getting more comfortable with the contractions, recognizing each other as messy and being okay living in gray areas, especially as 2024 looms closer. (P.S. St. Joe is a super special place. Next time I'm back, I'm going out for a surf!)
Well done, Mishti!
This is one of the best things I’ve read in a long time. We need more of these stories! We are all more similar than we are different.
Great job! We are proud of you.
Mr. Bailey
RHS
Thanks, Mr. Bailey! It's awesome to hear from you. The encouragement means a lot and definitely motivates me to keep on writing in 2023!
Mishti,
This was absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing. I would like with your permission to share with the staff of Ridgewood High School. Looking forward to catching up.
It's so wonderful to hear from you! I'd be honored if you wanted to share this with anyone, especially RHS staff — many of you are part of the reason that I seek out stories and write. Sending a big virtual hug and so much gratitude your way. I'd love to catch up anytime.
Late, but finally got to read this. Mishti, your words never cease to amaze me. There is so much beauty and truth in your writing and that rings true with this piece. Growing up with much of my family in the Midwest, it wasn’t until recent years when I’ve started to “other them.” It’s a good reflection that listening and compassion can go a long way! Love this! Thank you!
Hi Mishti,
This piece is incredibly well written and evokes the sense of shared humanity you felt with the people you met. I enjoyed your impressionistic style of writing as well. You must collect these pieces into a book!
It is vital to recognize our shared humanity with others if political bridges are to be formed. By the same token, perhaps we should expect more from those we meet if those bridges are ever to materialize.
America is an incredibly rich country. It is also an incredibly poor one, and not economically. For instance, you can see it in the poverty of ethics and spirit characteristic of Republicans who condone inhumane practices such as the (sometimes permanent) "separation" of asylum-seeking children and their parents. The carpenter knew an incredible amount about nuclear science. How did he feel about climate science? How would the gun enthusiasts you met justify the prevailing view among their community that gun rights should be unrestricted, even in the face of routine mass shootings (like the one last night against Asians in California)? The woman at the Republican event smiled because you sang "I'm proud to be American". Would she have the same amiable thought if she heard you singing something in Hindi? Perhaps collecting assault rifles and guitars are not comparable?
I know you were a guest in that town and as such I wouldn't expect you to confront your hosts or their friends on these issues. It may have been rude or boorish to do so. But do spare a thought in your later assessment about the real-world implications of the abhorrent ideas held by some of the quaint, folksy, salt of the Earth you came across!
(By the way I'm only referring to the people whom you met at the gun range and the Republican tent, etc., and not to people in the town en masse).
-AK Bhaiya
p.s. I'll leave you with this completely unrelated clip from the movie Blazing Saddles. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYTQ7__NNDI
Mishti beta
My dear Lord - these last 22 years have honed you into a woman of real heart, passion, skills and substance. What an excellent piece of writing - and looking at it from the outside-in, just the kind of sentiment that America and other parts of the world need to see and feel.
This is the kind of thought leadership which changes lives and nations - I hope you go on to do the same.
I deeply regret not having spent many many more hours watching you grow up from that brilliant kid I loved chatting with, during those brief few years I spent Stateside, but I will make it a goal to try and remedy that as soon as possible.
Keep up the great work, sustain the passion and change the world!