HYPHEN IN MY NAME | THE CONNECTED CULTURES
I am an immigrant born in a foreign country. During my initial upbringing, I did not encounter a dilemma of hyphen in my name in my native land. When I began to understand the value of one’s name, I began to admire names such as Clister-Jones or M. Byron Radcliffe, or J. J. Watts IV. The hyphen or prefix initials or suffix in a name made their presentation kind of prestigious. If nothing else they challenged computer systems that would not permit anything but first name, middle initial, and last name. To the chagrin of those who by mere omission may have missed proper writing down of complete names. So started my interest in hyphen in names.
Through the years I also gathered America is the only country in the world that uses hyphenated identification for ethnic characterization. Italian-American or Irish-American or African-American are the accepted example for an American to retain the ethnic or immigrant identity. Without any scientific survey, I reached several conclusions. The USA is an inclusive society and promotes ethnic and immigrant identity without prejudice. It reflects the assimilation of at least cultures. If you use hyphenated identification of yourself or the ethnic group, it is an accepted practice.
So what is my complaint? We are in midst of the 2016 presidential campaign. Gov. Bobby Jindal made a point of disowning his heritage and insisted instead of being referred to as Indian-American, he be referred to as an American. He did not stop there but suggested hyphen henceforth be removed from all such references because we are all American.
I was taken aback by his comments. Here is Rhodes Scholar and sitting governor with high IQ; and why would he disown his heritage? His real name is Piyush but he changed it to Bobby. He converted from Hindu religion to Christianity. No harm, no foul. Why stop there? Change from Jindal to Rockefeller. May be contact Michael Jackson skin bleaching experts to change looks. Sorry I do not wish to be personal or harsh. Gov. Jindal has a right to be whosoever he wishes to be.
I however take a strong objection to removing hyphen from my ethnic and immigrant identity. America since its inception has allowed immigrants to assimilate in the society while retaining their unique identity. This is the country which support hyphenated group identity celebrating connected cultures. This is our success as a country. Nowhere else such open and accommodating society exists. This is our accomplishment as a country not to be misled by political rhetoric.
I celebrate America, connected culture and hyphen in my name | Indian - American.