View from US: The desi dream
Every year when July 4 comes around and America celebrates Independence Day, I wonder how many Pakistani-Americans have realised their desi dream. A passage to America means a ticket to heaven’s pearly gates. A permanent passport to paradise. Thousands dream of saying goodbye to Pakistan, Hello America! Here we come! But few are ‘lucky’ to make it across the Atlantic. Documenting their journey, struggles, heartaches, failures, isolation, discrimination and racism would result in an Encyclopedia Americana. The one who attempts to write could walk off with a Pulitzer Prize.
Those who came before 9/11 followed the American dream mantra: work hard you will prosper. Some reached the top, others floated in the middle, while most became blue-collared workers. The goalpost for Pakistanis dramatically changed on September 11, 2001. Your resume got tossed into the dustbin; your name and face elicited suspicion and your religion earned you a pariah status among the community where you lived.
They were tough times, I remember. I interviewed many Pakistanis put in prison for minor offences and finally those who failed to prove that they had legally entered America got deported. Flown back to Pakistan dressed in orange jump suits that prisoners wear with their hands shackled was a humiliating sight for them and their families who came to the airport to get them.
Shame on President Musharraf and the Pakistani missions here in America who distanced themselves from these unfortunate souls. The stories I heard of families forcibly sundered left one asking if it was really worth the pain and indignity immigration brought. Even those who came here legally were haunted by their decision to put down roots in America. Many returned to Pakistan.
Today the American dream packaged by the desi dream gets iced by “democratic capitalism” that has engendered “economic inequality” writes Time Magazine columnist and executive editor Random House Jon Meacham. “The unemployment rate is dispiritingly high. The nation’s long term fiscal health is at risk, and the American political system shows no sign of reaching solutions commensurate with the problems of the day.”
How did the word ‘American dream’ originate? In 1931, historian James Adams first used this phrase in his book The Epic of America. “That dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement.” Translated, the term, according to some means not one type of house on one type of lot, but an economy open to talent, whether in dense cities, streetcar suburbs, or small towns.
The most important part for the dream — American or desi — is to have and to hold a job! The battle for the White House this November hinges on how many Americans have a steady job that gets them food on the table for their families and money to pay mortgage for a roof over their heads. There are few jobs as everything that American mega-stores sell is made in China; even my laptop that I presently pound the keys on for this column. The late Steve Jobs who literally invented ‘Apple’ computers and iPhone hired 30,000 engineers in China to manufacture Apple products because it was cheap to get Chinese skilled workers compared to Americans.
America is a two-way street. It outsources jobs overseas, mostly to China and India for its manufacturing and technology needs; it welcomes to its shores thousands of Chinese and Indians who bring specialised skills with them. Fortune 500 companies prefer hiring foreigners for less rather than hire their own citizens. New Jersey, the state where I live, is crawling with Indians and Chinese. These people have their own diasporas and are ensconced with family, friends and life that is outside the so-called American system. They are success stories in their own right. They own large homes, drive luxury cars, go on vacations and celebrate their own religious and traditional festivals.
According to the latest demographic figures Asian-Americans have overtaken Latinos, as the largest group of new immigrants arriving in the US each year. The report also shows nationally, Asian Americans have the “highest incomes are the best educated, and are happier compared with other groups.” Pakistanis don’t make this list. It’s only Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Filipino and Vietnamese.
No wonder the Pakistani diaspora has little visibility. I do see the odd doctor, a restaurant or a desi-store owner in my area. The place where Pakistanis congregate is the local Islamic Centre where Friday prayers and Muslim funerals are held. That does it for us.
So, here’s my two-cent advice for prospective immigrants to America from Pakistan: Don’t lug the desi dream when you step foot on American soil. The dream died a decade ago. If you don’t have a job offer by a solid employer, and instead plan to make do with driving a cab in New York, drink up a lot of Energile or Glucose D or whatever is sold in stores back home, because you may not be ready for an 18-hour slog. And by the way, if you think you can do handiwork like clean homes or mow the lawns or prune the shrubbery, banish that thought. You will never get them because they have already been taken by the Hispanics.
It’s a hot day today. Most of my neighbours have left their homes to go celebrate July 4 holidays with their families elsewhere. Me and the grass cutters are left, it seems. Even the golf course outside my window has only Hispanics sweltering in the 100-degree heat working on the greens and driveways. The usual claque of golfers — men and women are away vacationing. Those who have no place to visit go to the malls for deals that are too tempting to ignore. Every store has huge ‘Sale’ signs pasted on their window fronts. And I have collected so many coupons that come in the mail from different vendors, that I may go shop to allay my sense of alienation.
But American media, more specifically the New York Times loves a success story. It even forgives you for being a Muslim who wants to stick to a traditional wedding celebration all complete with the bridal couple dressed in zari embroidered achkan, turban and the bride’s lengha. Sobia Hamlani and Noaman Vaidya are prominently featured in the ‘Vows’ section of Sunday Styles NYT. The photo’s caption reads: “The bride’s mother embraced her as the Koran was held above her at the (rukhsati) reception.” The second photo features the couple with the “imam.” The groom’s parents emigrated from India. Vaidya is a graduate of Harvard and Tufts University School of Medicine presently a budding radiologist, while the bride whose parents migrated from Karachi when she was 10 is a scientist.
Last word: For some the desi dream lives on; for others it fell flat.
anjumniaz@rocketmail.com
A dream, if it does not remain one, is not a dream. It becomes reality. Anjum Niaz has written about hard reality, not about dreams. Those who want to remain out of touch with reality and continue to dwell in their world of dream or make-believe have the right to do so.
To be fair, dreams are realised if one works hard, and Lady Luck, too, favours him or her. This is true of every place, whether America or Pakistan or some other. No one need be offended at her views, which apparently are backed by experience and a little research!!
I think the writer's description of USA as a country in dire strait is rather misleading. I can assure you any country in the world including europe would be happy to be in USA's shoes right now. It is just that USA sets itself very high standards, and they actually collect real numbers, not fake like many countries in the world.
Here are the numbers:
- USA unemployment is 8.2%…even europe would love to have that kind of number
- USA poverty line is any family earning less than $24000 a year. Anyone designated as "poor", get free medical, free food, highly subsidized housing, and almost free education in college
- Based on the USA's poverty definition, there are about 15% population "poor"
When you live here, you realize how great this country truely is, and how anyone (muslims/hindus/black/brown) can make it here.
Dil
1) 'Crawling with Indians & Chinese' , you make them sound like centipedes ! One of the busiest creatures in the
universe Indeed Newark, New Jersey, is a very lively place and continues to attain high salary / income state due
to business generated by and the skills of it's newcomers.
2) Stop looking at Pakistani migrants to US with a disdain. Every immigrant wants to contribute positively into any
economy and social fabric of a host society. Pakistanis do try hard.
3) 'Social intercourse' is first and a vital stepping stone.
Finally, Pakistanis are conscientious and hard working people and they will achieve their dream sooner or later.
DH
The 'pakistani-american dream' is a lot different from the 'american dream'. Lets not compare oranges with apples.
I do not agree at all with any of the above mentioned pessimistic comments. American dream is alive and kicking. I am a Pakistani physician who is the V.P. of the Medical Staff of the hospital I work in and also am on the Board of Directors of that same hospital. They chose me, when they could have chosen an American born physician. I have a thriving medical practice and the local people over here come to see me although they have the choice to go to my competition who are American born physicians.
In USA, if you are qualified and work hard, you are going to make it. In the community I live in, in New Jersey there are Pakistani American physicians, engineers, MBAs, IT people, business men/women even people who work in gas stations. They are all successful in their respective professions and well regarded by their American born colleagues.
The pessimistic comments are probably from people here in USA who are either not qualified enough or work hard, otherwise you can definitely achieve your dreams in the land of opportunity which is USA.
Anjum Niaz has some good comments. What is not mentioned are some of the reasons why Pakistanis are not advancing as much as the rest of the Asians (Indians, Chinese, Phillipinos, Koreans and others) not just in the US but in Europe and elsewhere have to do with the misguided police priorities of its inept leaders and ignorant military. Other countries placed priority on providing superior education to their populace, which not only helped their own countries, but provided a prized human capital to the US and Europe.
Pakisantanis are dying to go to America and settle there. This article will deter noone.
I also want to point to the flawed perspective you have of Apple hiring Chinese, dear, that is about manufacturing, Apple single handedly saved the American jobs for high-tech personal computing (software as well hardware), if you don't understand that then you have no idea of new economy and how it works, and yes if one has what it takes you could be working in their new campus in next three-four years.
So, stop giving useless/hopeless advice that has nothing to do with reality.
Just don't listen to these desi stereotypes.
Dear, came before 9/11, never felt being discriminated either before or after, continue to prosper (yes, staying away from Dasees is the trick), my nice name will always cause delays in travels (but so will any Muslim say from India or even if his/her grand father immigrated in 1800)
the land of opportunity is any land that has the decency to treat its citizen (or permanent residents) with trust and respect, both of which I find far in abundance (once I am out of the Airport that is) than ever did in the great land of yours.
Simple reason, non muslim asian immigrants are typically 2 income households. A large percentage of muslim household have only the husband working plus the average family size among asian muslims is larger than no n muslim immigrants.
I used to live in US before 9/11 and left when things starting falling apart. Being a Desi in America or "fresh of the boat" and trying to find your identify is as confusing as taking a look at the cloudy sky and deliberating whether to take a coat, in case it rains. After 9/11, it all comes down to two things, your name and skin color if you want to be successful. If you are second generation, then you have a better chance of survival as you will have a polished American accent. The key to our success where ever we go in the West is building an educated society. If we think, we can make our mark by dominating the taxi ranks, curry restaurants and fighting each other for leadership positions in the local mosque, surely we are the real losers. I welcome your comments.
As the author mentioned "Pakistanis don’t make this list. It’s only Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Filipino and Vietnamese." what is the major difference between this group and Pakistanis you can guess, Pakistanis do not want to assimilate, Hindus in America celebrate Christmas( Not as a religion but in spirit) , Halloween. Pakistanis think they have better religion than rest. Try to follow Islam more than Arabs.
to the author,
Howz the Pakistani Dream faring for the few nonmuslims left in your country ?
When that nightmare (think blasphemy law, etc) turns into a dream, you might find that Americans are much more comfortable with the Pakistanis in their midst. As long as you continue to maintain a double standard (you want full legal and social acceptance here as a minority in America but refuse to acknowledge that minorities are legal and social 2nd class citizens in your home country) Pakistanis here will always be the object of certain suspicions. Awaken and see the depth of the hypocrisy..
I live in Massachusetts. Indians (Hindus/Muslims/Christians etc) have an edge over Pakistanis. We know how to assimilate into the foreign society The secret is in how to get assimilated (without losing your identity) in the country which has given you a new home. Learn to thank the host community, not abuse them (like the 9 men in Manchester who raped minor girls and bought disgrace to their religion and country). Show the similarities, not harp on the differences.
My Story of coming to America –
On Jan 17th 1998 I reached San Francisco airport. I had no friends, no relatives, no where to go. $100 in my pocket were just enough to get me by for a day at a cheap motel.
But I had two things – a degree in Computer Science from a top college and a promise of a job from a consultant.
He showed up at the airport (7 hours late) and told me he didn't have a job for me.
Only thing I asked him for – a ticket back that I'd refund later on. Since the date of flight was a couple of days later, he agreed to let me stay at his dilapidated guest house.
In those 2 days and 3 nighs, I went out myself, met every person I could on the street, visited every company in the area – sometimes taking up to 3 hours on a bus, ate bread and butter and landed myself 3 job offers.
Rest as they say, is history.
Almost every Pakistani I met (before and after 9-11) reminds me that – Indians commit atrocities against Muslims (the fact that my friends are muslims makes no difference to him), that he is a pious muslim and that I am just lucky.
May be I am. But I am also hardworking, resilient and I don't wear my religion on my sleeve.
Pakistanis look for shortcuts. American dream is not about shortcuts – it is about long hard days and longer nights.
That is why Indians today are successful.
This article is an insult to every immigrant who has worked so hard to be successful.
Writer seems to be angry at everything without really realizing what it means to have a dream and make it a reality.
The author is merely interpreting what she see's through her eyes all be it a rather narrow view point!
Part 2 of 2:
The other major factor is the huge numbers of illegal migrants/asylum seekers amongst Pakistanis many of whom are Baloch, Hazras, Pasthun, and the Shia’s in addition to economic immigrants. This has become a major issue now in Australia, Greece, Italy, Spain and also to an extent in America. No one can criticize these nations for enforcing their rules and deporting the illegals.
Unless Pakistan itself acts to curb such illegal trafficking in immigrants/asylum seekers, ensures that only truly qualified people make the trip, and urge those already here to assimilate, there is no way the Pakistani Diaspora’s lot is going to improve.
Part 1 of 2:
Two of the greatest reasons for the miseries of the Pakistani Diaspora , are the the lack of assimilation, and lack of proper qualifications. This is NOT only true here in America, but also true all over Europe, Australia or even in the Middle East.
Even though the US economy is on a downward path, certain groups like Indians, and Jews are doing phenomenally well, only b'coz of their better qualifications, and their better ability to assimilate. For example according to the latest PEW study the poverty rates for Pakistani Americans was three times higher than that of Indian Americans. (Ref: Dawn May 23rd – "Dollars & Sense of American Desis" & May 24th 2012 – "How Affluent are the Pakistani Americans"). Similarly, per the UK Govt. Statistical institute data, even given similar socio-economic conditions, an Indian Muslim is three times more likely to be unemployed than a Hindu Indian. And the statistics for Pakistanis is far worse than that of even Indian Muslims.
It is the same in Canada. Pakistanis are the second most poor group better only than Pacific Islanders.
Very happy to note that the author did not claim that "Muslims in America live as second class citizens".
Good article.
A few years ago – as an MBA student at a univ in the US – we had project after project that required working in groups across many classes. I remember working with international people – germans, arabs, africans, mexicans, russians, brazilians, netherland, chileans, chinese, korean, indians and pakisthanis on various group projects.
The most trouble-some however , was working with a pakistani on the team. He was technical but he got into fights with every other nationality except the indian-American – me !
I had to work with him , save the project & the group so that our group was not disolved and that our grade did not fall. it was the most harrowing experience for me to manage. Can't express how terrible other nationals in the group felt.
Indians, Chinese, Koreans who come to the US are the educated lot ( so not just anyone form those countries), they go to Univ here, are highly intelligent and work hard.They don't get into battles; Many other nationals – there is a language issue so writing skills etc. but this guy was a skilled pakistani who just lost it for all the wrong reasons……with so many international students ( & the countries they come from)
What are the students from other countries going to make of such a student from Pakistan ?
Let alone all the damage done to anyone form pakistan from the terrorism front.
The view from any other country is not going to be the same as well.
Spoken like a true cynic – the American dream was never a easy one to follow, and seldom has it been easy to break into the upper echleons. It took the Irish 30+ years to get over the prejudices and find their place, and it took the Italians at least 50 years too, and the Chinese / Japanese over 80 years to be accepted in the American society. Other more recent immigrants will have to work hard to assimilate and earn their acceptance. The writer does not see the big picture – just the narrow minded narrative of muslims being discriminated and the world being unhelpul to Pakistanis. She must either read history or just grow up.
"Doesn't have a clue" springs readily to mind doesn't it BRR?
While what you say may have been true 20-25 years ago, the America of today is vastly more different. There are far too many examples of immigrants making it to the top, and many more groups doing extremely well, e.g. Indians, Jews, Chinese etc……way above ordinary Americans
Secondly in line with the global economy American companies just seek to hire the brightest & the best (more so in Hi-Tech, other cutting edge areas, and higher levels in all other areas requiring far greater skills) while most other lower level jobs go for the cheapest.
While common Americans with enough quity base built up over generations can still maintain some standard of living at these lower salary levels, recent immigrants who tend to flock to bigger cities can't make ends meet even with similar salaries.
So, all this talk of discrimination is by those people who can't just stand up to the competition…….PERIOD!
its rather flat of most.
Your comments need to be read by those intending to migrate to USA from Pakistan. The grand game whatever it is for this and other superpowers has implications for Pakistanis more so than for others.
Pakistanis will do good in America if they prepare themselves to assimilate. How can you be accepted when you make your wife walk behind you in burqa and you are wearing a dirty shulwar with traditional islamic cap and a long unwashed beard. Some of the well educated Pakistanis are well accepted and there is no discremination. In Rome do as the Romans do and things will be fine.
Mr Yousuf,
Earlier I tried to reply to your comment but Dawn, the defender of free speech in Pakistan, always censors my comments. Its very unforunate that the paper of that repute would behave that way for a simple straightforward comments.
Very well written article and that is the way some desis achieve their dreams.
Too much baggage of old customs,culture and religion on their back leads most of the pakistanis and Indians to no where in America.
The article lacked insite as it seems like the author has probably has exposure only in the NY, NJ region, America is a huge country stretching thousands of miles from the east/west coast and the north/south. Pakistanis are similarly spread throughout, and we do have Pakistanis of various education levels and economic classes throughout the country.
Immigrants in NY came mostly in the 70's and assimilated to labor jobs such as taxis, etc. The later wave came in the 80's, 90's, such as myself as students, doctors, engineers, legal immigrants, etc, and the majority have done quite well in technology, finance, medicine, business owners such as hotels, motels, gas stations particularly with the Pakistani Ismaili community. If you look at Pakistanis in Houston, Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, LA, Phoenix and various other cities spread throughout the nation you will see hugely successful professionals and business people.
Pakistani community is strong and successful, and their values have benefited them from having a good balanced life of family and profession, while also maintaining their culture and practicing their religion.
It seems like Mr Amit from Atlanta has generally an anti/pakistani/Muslim bias.
Indians without a doubt far outnumber Pakistanis and have excellent skillsets in many fields, but the price for success as those among them that they are paying shows in their next curent and nextgeneration,where most of them have forgotten their culture, values, morals, they are just trying to become as "white" as they possibly can. I see grandparents from India appalled at the behavior and life style of their future generations, Mr Amit us Pakistani/Muslims do not want to become cheap imitations.
America is still the land of opportunity for all, and Pakistani/Americans are flourishing throughout the land by working hard and retaining their identities.
Mr Amit is right about the plight of Indian Miuslims as one hardly comes across any Indian Muslims, successful or not, as Indians just don't give their Muslim populations enough skillsets or opportunities to migrate abroad, so stop the discrimination of Muslims, Dalits and other minorities at home, plus Mr Amit pleas ask Indians to stop aborting female fetues before talking about being progressive, in states such as Indian Punjab or Haryana the male to female ratio is about 100/88, so before pointing fingers at others culture and religion, please give your female population a chance to live.