Being a girl in her mid-twenties from an Asian
family, can be pretty tough with all the cultural expectations. Something I've
resisted since a young age. Whilst I was unable to tear myself completely away
from all the beads of traditions and the satin wraps of culture, I can say that
I’m not your typical Asian girl. According to one of my friends I'm his
favourite Bengali, whenever we catch up (which I may add is pretty rare) he’d
say, ‘you’re nothing like the others, not the usual Bengal, original.’ Now
this may sound cheesy, but when I heard those words, I felt elated. Not because
I’m ashamed of my culture or my background, but because I didn't want that to
define me and who I became. I didn't want that to stand as a barrier as it does
for a lot of girls from such backgrounds.
However, I can’t give myself full credit.
However, I can’t give myself full credit.
Although during the years my siblings were
growing up, my parents had the typical Asian mentality and were pretty stern in
what they allowed them to do. When it came to me, rules were always a bit
skewed. Perhaps it was because after nine children, they had just given up, or
perhaps it was my independence from the early age of seven. So, I would have to
say that my parents played a big role in who I am. They trusted me to go to a
college outside of the comfort zone. They trusted me when I wanted to do
all-nighters in the library and they trusted me to go abroad with a friend.
These chances of trust gifted to me don’t come so readily for other girls who
come from similar backgrounds. So, along with my slightly rebellious and
independent attitude and my wonderful parents for their faith in me, I'm proud
to say that I'm not your archetypal Asian girl.
Now, don’t misunderstand this as an attempt
to westernify myself (yes, I just made that up now), because that’s not it at
all. It’s just a matter of not being forced into particular ideas and
mentalities, but rather to become someone with an open mind. (Wouldn't this be a good point to belt out the lyrics to Disney's Reflections or something?)
Whilst my family agrees that I'm so
different and nothing like them, they don’t believe that being 25 and still
obsessing over the likes of Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia, is a
matter of open mindedness or being culturally unbound but rather a lack of maturity.
Well who says there’s an age limit when it comes to imagination and fandoms? No
Sirrey! No such rules and even if there were, dash the rules and dash the
maturity.
As you may have gathered, I'm a bit of a
book worm, movie buff and generally a fangirl. When something really grabs my
interest, I become thoroughly passionate about it. (Stay posted, you’ll find
out to what extent).
At my age, all of my siblings were married
and some already with children. Me, I'm proudly single, with books and movies delving
into fandom-based crafting and sitting tightly until the day I
decide to seek out Mr Darcy.
