10 Things I learnt in the US - part 1

Back in India, we hear a lot about the US - News, Hollywood movies and stories from people visiting from the US. Nevertheless, that isn't a complete picture. Here are a list of things that I didn't know or fully appreciate before coming here


1. Immigrants

While I always had the picture of "White America", coming to the Washington DC suburbs, I was surprised by the number of immigrants. In fact, where I live, I hardly hear a proper American accent, either at home, work or outside. My earlier post, "People I meet" talks about this.

2. The Conservative Movement

If many people want to close their eyes and not face the truth, they can create anything for that - media (FOX news), talk shows, books (Intelligent Design), experts, scientists (Will Happer - 'More C02 will be better for humanity') and even museums ('Creation Museum' Seeks to Disprove Evolution, Paleontology, Geology)! While I knew that Americans voted Bush with all his Conservative leanings, I had no idea of the extent of support structure for conservative ideals, however blatantly wrong they may be.

In India, being "conservative" has a negative connotation - "his parents are very conservative and will not allow him to stay out late." Being "liberal" has a positive connotation. Those who'd like to say that they are not enthused by modern radical ideas refer to themselves as "traditional". In the US, the "traditional" people refer to themselves as "Conservative" (which I found quite amusing). Among such circles, "liberal" is a bad word. How can being free and open ever be bad? Well, that's the Conservative Movement.

3. Racial Tensions - what really happens

Back in India, we learn about the American Civil War and racial tensions in the US. We also know of America welcoming talent from all around the world and celebrating their African-American sports heroes. Coming here, I was interested in learning the truth. Is America racist?

The short answer is no. Even in the most Conservative circles, being openly racist is looked down upon. People are polite irrespective of who you are. Still, several subtle biases still exist.

However, the question is more complicated than I initially thought. It is not just about White-Black or White-Brown racism. Tensions exist between all the various minority racial groups. In fact, such groups are more open and explicit about it, since they don't have a "racist" tag to avoid (see "Crash", a 2005 movie). My first glimpse was when I heard a black person rant to his friends about how Hispanic immigrants were a problem. "They cause all the trouble. It's not us. They should all be sent back to their country". Also, when I lived in a predominantly black housing complex, I felt the resentment towards outsiders and would occasionally encounter someone who was rude to me when I asked for directions.

4. Non-Profits

While NGOs in India are associated with social service and upliftment of the poor or underprivileged, there are Non-Profits for everything here - the environment, fiscal discipline of the government, for guns, against guns, monitor of Catholic law makers and even pro- and anti-circumcision. There is a Non-Profit for the wildest idea you may have.

Having been around for a long term, Non-Profits follow certain, almost business models. They have their standard lines, "We've been doing great work .... However, to keep up with the increasing need, we need your contribution" or "... are in great danger. If you don't act now, we will lose ...". Their methods include guilt tripping and sending you freebies (name stickers, greeting cards) to make you feel obliged.

5. Car culture

While I had heard that America was largely dependent on cars, I didn't fully appreciate it until I came here. Large parts of the country do not have decent public transport. Even the suburbs of Washington DC have places where no buses run. In many places that do have buses, they run only weekdays. The concept that you cannot go somewhere because you do not have a car was new to me.

In American culture (includes immigrants and all), people are very helpful towards those without a car. For any get together, you can always be sure that someone will give you a ride, from and to your doorstep. People who live out of public transport's reach, will pick and drop you off at the metro at the very least.

Ironically, one of the hardest things to do without a car is to buy one. The good cars get sold before you reach them. Many cars are in far flung places, out of reach. Seeing a car itself is a half day affair using the metro.

After buying a car, everything changed. There are no time restrictions to return. Far flung addresses don't evoke the question, "How will I get there". While I do my duty to help my car-less friends, I hardly spare a thought for bettering public transport to help the unfortunate people out there who don't have cars.