Torn Between Two By Yalda Asmatey April-Sept. 1999 Lemar-Aftaab Now I am aware that I'm just a kid. A female child at that. I have no answers to why things are the way they are. But I have an opinion. Age of three, naive, young, uneducated. Left a home in tears, because the angry torment of a society's pressure caused me to say Good-bye. Raised as an Afghan. Must I repeat it..? Raised as an Afghan. I'm fully aware of the restrictions of a traditional culture. Manned by strict parents. Afghan Parents. Parents who are strict 'cause they know why the world is the way it is. They know best. Taught by the best-our Grandparents. But what about America?! A country who expresses utmost freedom to ALL Individuals... No, "Parent's say so are final judgments." Kids do whatever they want. No need to explain why they wanna go out with their friends. Faith in all reasons, kids explain. Americans can go out. With boys and girls. Americans-raised in a society that expresses explorations in personal fulfillment and optimism. An Afghan Culture, stemming out from the cascading mountains of white snow, rising beneath the holy prayer rugs, and dismounting from the voices of personal human knowledge. Just like America. However, why does it seem so outdated? The Afghan culture? So out of Tack? Meaningless in some ways. I don't understand. Well-Yeah I do. See, us, youth-we have been under the influence of the modernized American society. We view this lifestyle as being optimistic and traditional. More than anything, echoes of freedom ring in the hearts of each citizen. We view the Afghan culture, our culture, as being restrictive, abusive, and non-comprehensive. It's this way because we wanna see it that way. 'Cause we wanna be like our peers-Americans. We down play our parents because their traditional ways are unworthy. We think they're into the pit of despair and blinded like a fool. Because the only true reason for why our parents are the way they are is because they are scared. They're new to this country just like us. They know other's influences can ignite the spark in one soul and catch on to the rest. Our culture is different. I admit it. But we are better people because of war, traditions, culture, religion, and behavior. In our lifetime, we will be under the influence of others at all times. However, if you know who you are. You'll make the decision that best suits you. No culture will ever be as rich as ours. No other person can ever replace, our parent's love and wisdom. Be true to yourself. Like Lauren Hill. "Don't forget about the deen, and always know there's reason to why we are the way we are, why our parents are the way they are, and why we're in America." You don't have to be torn between two- It's fortunate, that we are alive, representing our people, Afghans, here in America. But we don't have to fall under the influence. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Copyright © 1999 Aftaabzad Publications. All Rights Reserved. May not be duplicated or distributed in any form without permission.