In the Name of Identity
By Imran Hussain Khan Sudahazai
CA
Amin Maalouf the esteemed Lebanese novelist once commentated that a ‘life spent writing had taught him to be wary of words. “Those that seem the clearest are often the most treacherous. ‘Identity’ is one of those false friends. We all think we know what the word means and go on trusting it, even when it’s slyly starting to say the opposite.”
To fully appreciate this statement one must contemplate on why Maalouf arrives at a juxtaposition that assumes we naturally possess a coherent appreciation of the term ‘Identity’.
We must begin by acknowledging that the human race has been meticulous about keeping record throughout its existence. From the cave paintings of Neanderthal man to the nano-technology of the 21st century we have been very careful in capturing as much data about ourselves as we can.
In order to retrieve this treasure house of information we categorize it into relevant classifications and sub-divisions or genres. This is one of those remarkable human traits that we can justify through reason or faith alone!
After all, Adam (al’slm) was taught the names and nature of all things by Allah (sbt).
Thus, we the human race, recognize, register and record data innately onto the canvas of the human mind, from where it is transcribed into a physical materialization that forms the essential and unique essence of every human being.
This premise can be further endowed with a paradigm that correlates the virtues of identity with an understanding of heritage and belonging.
There are people who reside in the US who may legitimately claim an ancestral kinship with both the notion and nation of Pakistan but by birth, jurisdiction and substance they may be categorized primarily as an American entity. Their manner of speech (language and accent), cordiality and perspective many reflect a common thread of Americanism that cannot be inherently defined but only recognized. These are the characteristics which shape their ‘Americaness’. Thus, it stands to question whether there is an inherent ‘Pakistaniness’ that can ever manifest its qualities and persona without any pretenses through the category of this person’s character and actions.
Experience and a growing acquaintance with the American/Pakistani Diaspora has highlighted a number of significant points which, have yet to be analyzed and commentated upon by the mainstream academia and media alike.
A large majority of first generational youngsters born in US to parents directly connected to and associated with Pakistan cannot read, write or even communicate in any of the Pakistani languages. Many of these youngsters have seldom visited Pakistan or express an explicit desire to. They do not identify themselves with Pakistan in the same way as their parents would, for example.
They are more akin to say I am an ‘American Muslim’ than to say I am an ‘American Pakistani’. For most youngsters the American identity is far too powerful and holistic in its patronage. Youngsters are imbued into the core fabric of its ethos. For another national identity to be comparable or even match that, it must be able to supersede and dominate every facet of their lives. A secondary factor that parlays why the Pakistani identity does not appeal to youngsters here in the US is because the simple association with Pakistan has become synonymous with corruption, perfidy and sedition. These viewpoints are not imbued and inculcated into the mentality of the youth by an outside force that is hell bent on brain washing our children! This attitude which has become an attachment to our identity and expression is conversely bred in the home by the very people who attest to be the sentinel delegates of a society that is some 8000 miles away.
The immigrants who migrated to these shores brought with them a heavy baggage of resentment, failure and forlornness that is delivered to their children through anecdotal conversations and a rejection of Pakistani virtue and identity as being intrinsically illusory and disingenuous.
However, despite all of the negative propositions expounded about Pakistan both in the home and in mainstream society most youngsters from Pakistani families carry a strong sense of identity and purpose that even the so called native’s lack.
They are confident, outgoing, successful people who are a major contributor to the economy, academia and society in all facets and disciplines.
The perceived problem augmented by well sounding experts is that these American born Pakistani youngsters do not have an identity and so are lost in some way!
‘Baqvaas’.
They know who they are and they know there purpose. That’s the beauty of their situation!
They recognize the power of their identity in their faith!
A large majority, if not all of the American born youngsters that one has spoken to, abhors the hypocrisy of nationalism as exhibited by their close relatives and friends. They lament that these so called staunch bastions of morality and ethics are the same people who lecture and harp around the great virtues of the US, whilst in blissful ignorance partake in ‘harem’ behavior. They point out that most of the times, the parents and families are oblivious to the fact that their children are watching, judging and forming their own ‘weltanschuaang’. The American Born Desis as they popularize themselves actually see no difference between corrupt officials in Pakistan and the so-called Muslims eating non-halal food, drinking wine and gambling in the US.
They recognize the tenet on which Pakistan was built, not the carcass that has stood on its place! They seek an identity that does not compete with their Americaness, an identity whose purpose innately is not to become a rival countenance to their American ideology and creed but a pillar of support and guidance. They seek an identity that rules the self and classifies one in accordance to their deeds and character.
The American part of the youngsters is their cultural exposition. They were born here, they grew up here and they form the moral and ethical fiber of this nation. However, the Islamic part of them is their contribution and vision for this nation. As American Muslims these youngsters enrich the lives of all those they touch. By being conscious of their ethical and moral position in life they can only be ambassadors of Islam to the New World.
A metaphysical reality sates that you are defined not by society or any form of authority but by yourself entirely.
Your experiences, culture, religion, companionships, education, knowledge, wisdom and upbringing are some of the key facets that conflate to give you the face that is defined as being you!
Our youngsters here in America have found their identity in their faith and thus use that as a basis upon which they can align and become part of a greater society that encompasses a global view. They chose to identify themselves with an identity that has a universal appeal, symbolism and longevity. They chose Islam as their main vehicle of communication and action. Much the same way as the Arabian traders introduced Islam to the Far East, modern day US born-Pakistanis are becoming the examples and setting the standards for others to follow.
This is an evolutionary step in undressing our perceived identities so that we reveal the core of who we really are. No one can ever ascertain how Pakistani you are or how much you love Pakistan because that would become an anomaly to the founding principles of Pakistan.
So on reflection of Amin Maalouf’s initial quote with regards to the meaning of the word ‘identity’ and its continually shifting persona, the historian Marc Bloch succinctly sums it up:
“Men are more the sons of their time than their fathers”.
- imran.khan@pakxpats.com
