Middlesex+journal+entry+1

Journal: #1 entry

- I am part of the first generation born in the US in my family. Since my parents are both immigrants, I have always found my family history extremely interesting. Not only are my parents immigrants, but they were also the first members of their respective families to come to the United States. The way that my parents came to the US with barely anything to make it on their own makes me really idolize/respect them. I feel like I am becoming more connected with my parents and my past as I get older (as weird as that may sound). In a way, I guess my past does influence my daily life - Well, who I am is made up of my past and my roots. My ethnicity, I would say, "comes up" in my daily life. I do hope to go to India someday with my family to learn more about and embrace the culture (and my heritage, past, etc) more. I consider myself an American citizen of Indian heritage. To be honest, my personality is much more a reflection of American culture than of India because this is where I have grown up and become accustomed to. I am no less "American" than anyone else born in the US. However, many of my morals, and definitely a good part of my identity, relates back to India because that is where my parents grew up. They, too, are now of course accustomed to American society/western cultures.

- A taboo is a practice, topic/idea, person, or thing that societal customs find should be prohibited/restricted. The purpose of a taboo, I think, is to avoid controversy and any arguments/fights. The were probably created as a result of problems with people that otherwise got along. They were also created by past traditions/concepts that society has stuck to and will not change (because they will not talk about it/be associated with it). I think societal taboos are sometimes different than my personal taboos (if that makes sense). I guess when personal taboos are broken (or when societal taboos are broken), I would feel uncomfortable/there would be tension.