I come from two cultures and live in between
A life of transition, a life of translation
One world is a collective society
Where self is sublimated before collective concerns
Where one’s identity is based upon caste, gender, religion and economic status
The newer world is where individualism reigns supreme
I earn therefore I am. I can conform or choose not to. It’s all permissible.
It is an alienating mass culture where ethnicity and diversity are new concepts
Rejuvenated after years of the mythical unreality of the American way
I have learned that there are stereotypes, categories and labels
That mass uniformity to cultural ideals and images is unrealistic
Politically correct diversity and ethnicity still count
When people seek identity and meaning
The America of the movies of my childhood does exist
Men in Texas hats, blonde women in bikinis on the beach
A modern chrome world of technology and fast cars
But another vision also exists
Of homelessness, violence, crime, catastrophic disease, even poverty
The India of my memories does exist
The crowded streets, the colorful motifs
The rhythms and chants of an ancient culture making a gigantic leap to the future
But another vision does exist
Of violence, communal hatreds, disaffected youth, MTV
In my mind, I switch languages, music, art, food, clothes
And seek refuge in the differing ambiences of different worlds
There are umbilical cords that tie, different music that plays
From A.M to F.M, from memories to reality
From yesterday to today, I travel and translate.
Anita Raturi 