Gujaratis suffer from 'mis-information overload' about America

The American Dream, a concept that has captivated the imagination of young people worldwide, has particularly resonated with young Gujaratis.

- DR ARPAN YAGNIK

As a social scientist at a leading American university, I believe that a comprehensive understanding of the different facets of pursuing and living the American Dream is crucial. One of the primary factors hindering a holistic understanding of the American Dream is the rampant 'Misinformation Overload'.

The primary reason for Misinformation Overload is the anecdotal experiences shared by friends, relatives, and neighbors. Gujaratis, sadly, have a unique advantage when it comes to misunderstanding America. With every other home having someone living in America, Gujaratis have unparalleled vicarious insights into the country. Moreover, Gujaratis apply the logic of temple and prasad to the American Dream. Everyone who goes to America is eligible for ultimate prasad of citizenship.

Let me share a small story about how the application of flawed logic creates confusion and misunderstanding. Jayshree came to America as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Yale University. After three years, when she returned to Gujarat, her neighbor said, "Haji sudhi citizenship nahin malyu?" (Haven't you received citizenship yet?) and "Malini na sora ne to chyar nu mali jiyu" (Malini's son got his citizenship a long time back).