What Indians Know About America

This afternoon, after we finished our Hindi classes for the day, we went to a local school to volunteer and talk with the students. We were asked to discuss famous people from our countries. When I was with my two little students who speak very little English, trying to talk and point and sign language to give my words more meaning, I managed to ask them what they know about America. 

Justin Bieber. Michael Jackson. Lady Gaga. 

These answers disgust me because I realized that this is all they know about American culture and how there is this pre-disposed assumption of what Americans are like. It makes me sad because when I think of famous Indian people I think of people like Mahatma Gandhi and Ravi Shankar. When these children, who barely speak any English, are asked about my country, they think about Ke$ha.

Just an interesting thought to ponder...