The Instrument that Measures Culture
Interviews: Alyssa Siji | Artwork: Hannah Thomas
There is no instrument that can measure “how Malayali you are.” You cultivate your own Malayali identity through your lived experiences. Each story demonstrates how each individual used those experiences to help others in their community. Their parents, their degrees, their fluency in Malayalam, their peers - did not solely define their identity. There was a willingness to continue to learn and grow, allowing them to make an impact on their community. This willingness is what allowed their communities to emerge out of a generational fear to become one that opened doors and created opportunities.
Dr. Jocelyn Edathil
“Growing up in the northeast…because many Malayalees at that time were in Northeast Philadelphia, I think we were really able to change the culture of Northeast Philadelphia and we were able to engage the people civically.”
Hannah Thomas
“When I see someone younger than us, I want them to be able to be confident regardless of how other people see them because of the way they are brought up.”
Dr. Bindu Methikalam
“It’s important being South Indian and a female because you’re advocating for people to see a different face, narrative, and perspective from what they are used to. ”
Roshan Philip
“This is a whole new culture, a whole new generation...Embrace both sides. There’s nothing wrong. You don’t have to act a certain way. There’s not that many people like you.”
Dr. Merlyn Manattu
“We are really driven out of fear. But if we remember and remind ourselves of who we are in our identity of our faith, and not so much of what other people think, or those kinds of things that tend to be cultural traits for our community, then I think that would transform our young people and how they’re growing up and the decisions that they make.”
Alyssa E. Siji (she/her) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to two immigrant parents who moved to the United States from Kerala, India fifteen years ago. She is currently a senior attending Central High School, hoping to pursue a career in the medical field in the future. She grew up in a very large Malayali community, and being Malayali is a significant part of her identity. Having struggled with feelings of either being “too Malayali” or “too American,” Alyssa is invested in ensuring that Malayali American children can feel like they belong in the United States. The focus of her fellowship will be on sharing the stories of children of Malayali immigrants, so that more people like her can feel seen and heard, have guidance, and not be embarrassed of their identity.
The Philadelphia Fellowship is made possible with support from The Independence Public Media Foundation.
The Philadelphia Fellowship is made possible with support from The Independence Public Media Foundation.