With figures such as Trump as possible wielders of unlimited power, and in the wake of record-breaking reports of racial abuse in a post-Brexit Britain, we live in a world that is uncertain for ‘minorities’. The current climate on such a topic is red hot. And he is totally right: Why is it okay that British people often allow these blunders without a second thought – yet mock, or even feel their racist prejudices validated, when such an error in translation comes from an immigrant? Perhaps his most powerful point, though, was on the subject of ‘debating’ the immigrant/race issue. Amid the last echoes of ringing laughter from his audience, he abruptly turns serious: “Words matter“, he says. For example, he recalled a particular experience at an ‘Indian’ restaurant in London, where he had a failed attempt at confronting the white English owner on the fact that one of his chicken specials actually translated to ‘chicken pants’ in Gujarati. It is, vitally, a letter about how carelessness really is a big deal. This is a letter principally about language and its importance in a world where impulsive judgement is more ingrained than ever and insults often come easier than an open mind. He questions how much we really do leave behind, particularly subconsciously, when we or our past relatives choose to literally leave behind our ‘homeland’.
However, even though he was never exposed to racism as a child, he did acknowledge that he always knew things weren’t quite right, emphasising that as part of a minority ethnic in Britain, you give up integral parts of your life (for Himesh, Bollywood movies) which in another world you would never consider having to do. Patel began by beautifully describing his tranquil upbringing in rural Cambridge, recalling how, unlike his Asian counterparts who lived in bigger cities such as London or Birmingham, he never at one point during his childhood felt ostracised. The problematic notion of The Good Immigrant was explored by each author with a unique insights into the reality of growing up as part of a minority in Britain. Growing up as the daughter of two immigrants myself, I can vouch for how hilariously accurate their portrayal of growing up as an outsider can be. All of them were emotionally provocative in different ways: some shocking, others heart-breaking, as well as a good dose of comedic relief. Each reader depicted their childhood and experience as an immigrant growing up in the UK through essays and letters. In an intimate space in Deansgate, I spent an eye-opening evening hearing four authors reading extracts from their respective works, collated by Nikesh Shukla in The Good Immigrant.
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