Blog: An open letter to immigrants

Dear Immigrants:

I would like to call myself a wanderer but this self appellation or description might be at odds with the perception of others: some might call me a “failed immigrant”. I would instead of arguing plead guilty to the charge. I travelled, lived in and studied almost half of the Western world, rather serendipitously but never “settled” in any of these places. The catalytic spurs of both the initial forays into the West and what V S Naipaul has called the “enigma of return” were again serendipitous: I had nothing to do with these but was catapulted by larger forces and trends that were beyond the span of my control.

From a philosophical standpoint, this very fact has humbled me in the sense of allowing me to gain a sober and grounded perspective on my self. But, this is not the entire or whole story: my wanderings accorded me and threw open the doors of self discovery, something that would have been and remained elusive if I would have been rooted to and in Kashmir. ( I would add a caveat here and posit that self discovery is such an expansive notion and the self is so complex that it cannot be entirely known or discovered but this does not mean we fail for want of trying). We can all get to know our selves to an extent. For this, movement, or being an immigrant is necessary and this suggestion is the point of this letter.

I will, at this point, make a digression.

Nation states of the world and their immigration departments (or agencies) define immigration and immigrants in very narrow and constricted terms, mostly for their gatekeeper role, as control over immigration is an aspect or feature of sovereignty. But, in reality, immigration is an expansive idea or concept. It is not only a corporeal (or physical movement) but a movement of both the mind and the soul. In this sense, immigration is a profound, even existential experience that can either shatter the self or even enrich it. Alas, societies which host immigrants despite their graciousness do not entirely understand this. They too understand the concept in narrow terms. Unfortunately, as the contemporary drift of the world suggests, there are opportunistic politicians , all too plentiful, who pander to the negative perceptions about immigrants, create divisions and cast immigrants as villains.

But, dear immigrants, you know better. The displacement, physical, emotional, intellectual and the adjustments that immigration entails can be wrenching and fraught. There are usually three main reactions among many that stand out in the process of immigration: one is mimicry or imitation of the mores, standards and values of host societies, all for the sake of acceptance by these. The other is functional interaction or functional socialisation to basically get by in unfamiliar or even “strange” milieus of host societies. The other is sullen resentment that boils over, at times, with insalubrious consequences.

All these reactions, dear immigrants are essentially flawed. A superficial drool over and on the culture of host societies besides hollowing out the self is inorganic. It is also ephemeral can lead to all sorts of psycho social complexities and problems. Functional interaction or even integration leaves out and cancels the enriching aspect of immigration. Potentially, living in a different milieu among “ different” peoples can, as I’ve discovered, can be a sublime experience which not only allows an immigrant to understand and appreciate difference (not in the clichéd sense of multiculturalism and what its proponents propound) but also to put his or her self into perspective. The down sides of sullen resentment are all too well known and obvious to delineate here.

So, what then is the best or most optimum way that can be employed to draw benefits for the immigrant self and host societies?

Dear immigrants , please forgive me for this but I will be presumptuous here and posit the distilled essence of my experience(s) to answer this question.

My serendipitous wanderings helped heal my ruptured self. The result has been a rather expansive and more confident self. I am both rooted and not rooted with a world view that is more nuanced and abundant. And, I am happy and content, having not only discovered my self (to a large extent) an put it into perspective, come closer to God in the process and I now have the distinct knowledge and awareness that I am a citizen of the world. (Yes, the reference here is to the much maligned word contemporarily of cosmopolitanism).

All this, dear immigrants is one happy brew. There are, in lieu of this, major lessons to be drawn.

First, my friends, neither be overwhelmed , underwhelmed nor titillated by the prospect of immigration. Face up to it, if you have to, with equipoise. Second, if and once you immigrate, don’t retreat into yourself, in every sense of the word. Third, try to understand your host societies( emotionally, culturally and intellectually), respect their culture and standards without losing your self. You are you and cherish your self (not narcissistically though). “Assimilation” and “integration” are too narrow categories to capture the nature and denouement of your overall cumulative experience. Don’t get pigeonholed into any category. But, be good citizens , respectful of laws, mores and standards of your host societies. Admittedly, these do’s and dont’s do not entirely capture the range of your experience(s). But, to make the most of these, take a step back from your self , be yourself but also let others in. You’ll discover new worlds where there will be a seamless with yourselves , the world and your roots, important as they are. But, above all, at the risk of repetition and positing a cliché, you will discover yourselves , only to find out that the world is your oyster!

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)