Americanah & The reluctant Fundamentalist.

Maybe it was a sheer coincidence that I experienced both Americanah written by Chidanand Ngozi & the movie version of The reluctant Fundamentalist by Mira Nair simultaneously. I had read the slim book by Mohsin Ahmed a yr back & was stuck by its realism and the style.

Both had the underlying theme of Americanization of this world. As I write this post – my 10 yr old sees OREO ad and I know that will be on top of our shopping list because she loves the cream & chocolate cookie, She just recently declared that she wants to be a singer & settle down in Singapore –innocently declaring that this her most recent aspiration. Her inspiration – Taylor Swift, she is in love with her lovelorn voice & sings them along with the music playing in her room as she studies for her IMO.

Ifemelu of Americanah did not have such upbringing & neither did I. We did not have a TV till 10^th & getting a pen from Russia was the only phoren experience I had that too because my uncle went to Russia for a fighter pilot training course. I had preserved that postcard for a long time – I think from Moscow or Kiev. Americanah (part of it) deals with the entire race issue in America & difference between Negro / African American & American African & beautifully depicts how racism exists NOW not 100 years back. How small-small things can add up to a humiliating experience.

In The Reluctant Fundamentalist as Changez returns from Mexico – he is stripped & searched, while his white colleagues are let off. Similarly he is picked by the police & interrogated although he is the partner for a high flying financial consulting firm. His name & beard was the trigger. So your position does not matter but your race does.

So, while I really liked the angst of Changez & Ifemelu but I think the choice is with us. For the younger generation (for me it’s my daughters) to decide whether that is what they want to do. Only thing is there is a twist to the entire theory & practicality of it. The way American culture has pervaded our house – I think they will be wearing “I love America” batch in the heart & formative minds. 90% of what they consume is from America – books, movies, music, food, QSR (Mc d / KFC …).

As a father at times, this worries me because I think they will be color blind when they have to make the choice. But I also feel secure that they will not be unaware, yes they will be spoilt of choice but after few rights & wrong turns they will choose the right path. 

I know I cannot change the world around them; my only job is to try & prepare them for their journey.