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This cultural system directly contradicts certain dominant elements within the Indian
cultural system. One primary example is the issue of religion. The quest for the deeper
understanding of Hinduism is scoffed at now even by urban elites in India because there is no
direct applied result of such contemplation. Another example is the attraction to applied careers.
The notion of studying to learn or to seek deeper knowledge is considered impractical. Careers
that are not economically advanced and carry no direct application (such as teaching and the arts)
are viewed as unnecessary and a waste.
By subconsciously taking on a cultural system, another set of confounding identities
among Indian-Americans is revealed. In actuality, this cultural system was first taken on by
urban elites in India once they were exposed to it by the British (Memmi, 1965). I posit that
Indians tend to hold a rather Victorian, British image of themselves. Indian-Americans have
internalized a highly western-based image of “Indian.” This internalized image is then the
source of conflict in regard to what is considered appropriate Indian behavior. For example,
Indians tend to buy into the belief that Indians are merely spiritual people and not “caught up” in
economic success. It is important to note that in internalizing a western image, the presumptions
of those images are also accepted. This is a prime example of double consciousness (DuBois,
1903/1989). Indians see themselves as inferior (through British eyes) and have been striving to
measure up to British standards ever since. In keeping with the sense of psychic dualism, most
western images are presented with a presumption of either/or. Thus, it is assumed that one who
is spiritually advanced cannot also be capable of economic advancement. So, when Indian-
Americans achieve economic success, it is presumed that economic success is a result of their
ability to take the good from American culture. Here, the good is economic opportunity and this
is the Indian evaluation, not the American one. Indian-American children see this as an example
Convention