American Born Confused Desi (ABCD) refers to people of Desi origin (of Indian or Pakistani descent), living in the United States. "Confused" refers to their confusion regarding their identity, having been born in America or lived there since childhood and been closer to American culture than their native culture. It is sometimes regarded as an ethnic slur.
Although the acronym ABCD used to describe second generation Indians is somewhat clever, it fails to explain the difficulties of being raised with two distinct cultures.
ABCDs are encouraged to enjoy Hindi films, Bhangra and dance parties, but discussing or even acknowledging that social ills such as domestic violence, rape, teen pregnancy, drug abuse and communal and racial tension exist in the Indian community is rare.
ABCDs must lead these double lives to avoid incurring the wrath of their parents and to avoid becoming the subject of a gossip session that might go something like this.
Born and brought up in America, Fatima, a teenager daughter of Pak-American parents described her cultural identity as ABCD: American-Born ConfusedDesi.
The American values of honesty, truthfulness, hard work, trust, reliability and consideration for others in the marketplace, should be embraced sincerely by all immigrants and their children from our part of the world.
The American basic precept of the freedom of thought and action of the individual has, unfortunately, often got stretched to illogicality, to havoc and disaster in private lives particularly in respect of gender relations and family values.
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