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.
"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 :)
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.
Dec 29, 2022·edited Dec 29, 2022Liked by Vidushi (Mishti) Sharma
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.
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.
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.
"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 :)
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.
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
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
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.
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!