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Conflicting Loyalties:
Janam Da Firangee,
Sikhi Main Mangee

FATEHPAL SINGH TARNEY

Growing up, my American family was no different than most other families in its internal ‘conflicts.’

My father was a loyal Republican all his adult life. Given his patriarchal nature, he insisted that my mother vote the same way he did. 

His reasoning was that if she voted Democratic, their votes would “cancel each other out,” so they needn’t bother voting at all! 

Shortly before my mother passed away, at the age of 98, she confessed that she always told my father that she voted Republican, but given that she came from an Italian, working class, solid union–supporting family, she usually voted Democratic, but simply told my father that she voted the same way he did!

My current problem is that I have both progressive and conservative political views, whereas my beloved patni is a hardcore Democrat in love with the Clintons!

I wince at the very name of Hillary! 

In order to keep the peace, I tend to avoid political discussions at home, especially when meri patni sings the praises of Hillary. When she does this, I immediately change the subject. I try to shift the discussion to the weather, food, or our respective aches and pains!

I wonder if others, whether in the West, or in places like Punjab and India, have similar political tensions and dilemmas within their families.

Husbands and wives may argue over many issues, such as finances, children, relatives, diet, even religion, but I wonder how often politics is an issue.

Meri patni is not a Sikh like me, but the more I think about it, the more I conclude that she has more Sikh friends than I do!

Thus, politics, not religion, is our biggest source of tension.


June 1, 2015
 

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