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Alex Joseph is a sophomore at Northeastern University studying Cell and Molecular Biology. Outside of school he is a member of Northeastern’s Model UN team, a martial artist, undergraduate researcher, and the host of his own podcast. He lives at home with his Mom, Dad, and little brother.
Two histories, one concept, and world of discrepancies between them. These are the things which come to mind when one compares the Independence of the two nations that our community shares a kinship with. Obviously, with our Malayalee heritage, we culturally identify with the Independence Day of India, which occurred this past month. And yet, as we live in the United States, a nation where many of us even hold citizenship, we must also identify with its history and the opportunities that its independence afforded us.
But what does independence really mean to those of us who are caught in the middle, knowing that we have a loyalty to both of these great nations, without which we likely would not be where we are today?
But what does independence really mean to those of us who are caught in the middle, knowing that we have a loyalty to both of these great nations, without which we likely would not be where we are today?
Oddly the thing that seems to unite the two Independence Days is the power from which independence was secured: Britain. However there is something to be said about how this power was obtained. America’s independence was obtained in a manner that resonates with the American people to this day: by force. The Revolutionary War instilled a sense of patriotism as well as a refusal to back down and a resilience that continues to characterize the American people to this day. Stubborn as they are, they can weather almost anything when they come together unified with a single cause. Indian Independence was won differently, however. After over a hundred years’ worth of insurrection attempts, it was ultimately nonviolence, civil disobedience, and collaboration that forced the British to grant the Independence of our motherland. If nothing else, this speaks to the intelligence, creativity, and adaptability of our people, which allows us to thrive no matter where in the world we choose to live. While India’s independence is considerably newer, and the geopolitical consequences of the separation in 1947 are still being borne out today, what cannot be denied is that those freedom fighters made our lives as they exist today possible. And it seems those effects have not been lost on the generations that benefited from their struggle.
Those of us who have grown up in the United States with their Indian heritage see both of these independence movements as part of who we are. As such, it is no surprise that we identify strongly with both independence days, regardless of how we choose to celebrate them. Andrea Mechery, a rising sophomore at the University of Connecticut, stated that while her family primarily celebrated the Fourth of July simply as a tradition, for her the holiday was more than just a barbecue and fireworks. “After this year, it’s important to know how much our country has gone through for our basic freedom but it’s even more important to see the day as a checkpoint of our progress to provide freedom and rights to all individuals in our country regardless of color, class, creed, or ethnicity...it’s important to use the privileges we received and use them to amplify the voices of the next underprivileged community,” she wrote on the subject of American Independence.
George Marangoly, a father of three who lived in India for a few years as a child, also reflected this sentiment after having spent most of his life here. When asked about what American Independence day meant to him he said, “it feels as though that independence has a stain on it given everything going on with Black Lives Matter and a lot of other issues. It’s like that independence has an asterisk.” He noted, however, that the holiday did also remind him of how lucky he is to call this nation home: a sentiment shared by many in our community. But what did they have to say about the Independence day of the motherland? Well despite having lived in the United States for most of their lives, they felt rather strongly about this as well. Andrea noted that August 15th was arguably more important in her household, largely because we consider it a day of obligation in our Church and because of the associated festivities with friends. It also served as a bittersweet reminder to her that her parents were not able to celebrate it in their home country, and of the sacrifices they had made to give her a better life here. For George, that appreciation of sacrifice extended to those who made independence possible in the first place.
“For me, it’s more about how it feels good to know that my parents and my ancestors went through something and that led to them being able to have the freedom to come here and have a better life. I’m very thankful that this day happened,”
“For me, it’s more about how it feels good to know that my parents and my ancestors went through something and that led to them being able to have the freedom to come here and have a better life. I’m very thankful that this day happened,”
he said. According to George, it was the sacrifices of those who came before that allowed the prosperity that so many of us have enjoyed up until now. When asked to reflect as to which Independence day meant more to him, he did state that because he had lived in the US for most of his life, that July 4th was a bit more meaningful to him, although he recognized the importance of India’s independence to his own life as well. Andrea on the other hand had a slightly different take. She said that both days had the same level of importance to her, and that the days themselves weren’t the source of her patriotism for either nation. She wrote on the subject saying, “I feel even more proud of both my countries when I see people coming together to help one another in their community. I loved our American community when we came together to fight for black and LGBTQ lives these past couple of months and was moved when I witnessed an entire town with all different social classes and religions unifying to save everyone from the Kerala floods in 2018.” That sense of pride went beyond any holiday, and she felt as though this was the true spirit of both nations.
At the end of the day, independence will mean different things for different people and entities. In terms of nations, it is the autonomy of its people to govern themselves and make decisions for the betterment of their progeny without interference. And, in a way, that definition holds true for individuals as well. As George pointed out, independence is all about autonomy. “It comes down to doing what I want to within the confines of the law,” he explained, “it is the autonomy to make or break my own life and to do what I can for my kids...it’s all my own choices.” Of course, to us churchgoers, we are all familiar with the concept of free will, but it is the sense of responsibility that comes with it which George emphasized. And the ability to do that is often the product of a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and struggle. As Andrea pointed out, “independence is the marker of success after overcoming long periods of struggles...our nation’s ancestors came to this country to create a new future where they could live their lives without oppression, and likewise our immigrant ancestors followed that pursuit in search of that same life and the ‘American Dream,’ where any individual could live their life on their own terms.” Clearly, over many generations, our concept of independence and freedom has altered. Although we no longer see independence from Britain as a goal, the same spirit of freedom and independence that allowed those who fought for autonomy to create better lives for those of us who came after ought to inspire future generations to ensure that those who come after enjoy all the more freedom to pursue their own dreams.
One thing was clear from both interviews: although those first freedom fighters lit the spark of freedom which inspired independence in both nations, it is the responsibility of those who live the fruits of their labors today to continue tending to the flame of freedom so that all might embrace its warmth for generations to come.
One thing was clear from both interviews: although those first freedom fighters lit the spark of freedom which inspired independence in both nations, it is the responsibility of those who live the fruits of their labors today to continue tending to the flame of freedom so that all might embrace its warmth for generations to come.
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