Gaurav Ghosh-Growing Up As a Second Generation Muslim American

Gaurav Ghosh

Professor Ezzeldin

Digital Media Assignment

12/18/2016

Being a Second Generation Muslim American

Growing up as a second generation American is difficult as it is. Add Islam to the mix, which can be starkly different from American culture, and you have a recipe for an interesting life growing up. You’re so different from your peers, yet so similar to them at the same time. You share interests, experiences, and so much more. But if you’re coming from a Muslim family, your own experiences can easily be much different than those of your non-Muslim friends. However, there are three main things that shape your life growing up as a Muslim-American. Racism, cultural differences, and community are all a part of the experience of being a Muslim-American.

Racism is inescapable. It will be a major part of your life whether you like it or not. You’ll see it in the media or you’ll experience yourself. This can be as simple as being called a terrorist in grade school when you don’t even understand who Al-Qaeda is. I’ve had Muslim friends tell me that they shave their beards before going on a flight because their afraid of being ‘randomly’ selected. Others have told me that they refuse to speak Arabic in public because they’ll face accusation of being a terrorist. People will even assume that you hate gays, americans, other religions just because you are Muslim. This is obviously wrong. This racism has just been accepted as part of the Muslim-American experience. Wherever you go, you will be judged by your religion and skin color first. It’s just become part of Muslim-American life to shrug off whatever racism or bigotry you face because regardless of how many explanations about Islam you provide, very few people will understand.

There are also many cultural differences that come with being a Muslim American. Many Muslim-Americans explain how they feel that they’re being pulled in two different directions with American culture and Muslim culture. Many struggle to figure out what category to put themselves into. Being a second generation Muslim-American, your parents are most likely immigrants from another country. There is an intense pressure to be successful because your parent left their home so that you could have a better life. You can’t go into a field like art, otherwise you’ll face intense scrutiny. You’ll be pushed towards fields like medicine and engineering. If you don’t fall in line with Islam completely, you could face scrutiny from your family and community as well. I know plenty of Muslims who drink alcohol and date. I even know a gay Muslim. While these actions go directly against the main tenets of Islam, these friends still view themselves as Muslim because they grew up as Muslim and they believe in the value system that Islam provides. In their minds, being Muslim doesn’t involve strictly following Islam, it revolves around the value system. In a sense, these people are picking parts of American culture they like, but also incorporating Islamic culture as well.

Community is the best part about being a second generation Muslim-American. Through your religion, you are automatically connected to others who are going through the same experiences that you are going through. You have elders who help you explore the culture more through food, art, and so much more. You have a community of people who you can rely on because of your shared connection. The community is why many people are so connected to their religions. It provides a basis for social interaction and connection, especially when you’re in a world filled with people who just make assumptions about you and your lifestyle.

In conclusion, growing up as a second-generation Muslim American is difficult. You are faced with racism and cultural differences, but you gain access to a community who cares about you. There are many trials and tribulations that come with the territory of being a Muslim-American, but in the end, it’s all worth it if it makes you happy.