Krishnan Guru-Murthy's British Asian Experience

Summary

The speaker, a British Asian, reflects on the evolving identity of British Asian communities, who have grown in confidence and no longer feel the need to justify their place in society. They credit their parents, who immigrated to Britain in 1962, for instilling in them a strong sense of being both British and Asian. A humorous anecdote about Shakespeare being an Indian named 'Shap Eyre' illustrates the blending of cultures and the pride in their heritage.

Takeaways

• 🇬🇧 The speaker identifies as British, having been born and raised in Britain.
• 🌏 They acknowledge their Asian origins and the influence of Asian traditions and beliefs in their upbringing.
• 💡 The concept of 'British Asian' is highlighted as a blend of British and Asian identities.
• 🚀 There's a noted increase in confidence within British Asian communities regarding their identity.
• 🏡 The speaker's parents, who immigrated to Britain in 1962, have been influential in shaping their identity.
• 🤔 The script mentions a humorous anecdote about Shakespeare being portrayed as Indian, indicating a playful approach to cultural identity.
• 📚 The anecdote also reflects the speaker's family's engagement with British culture and history.
• 🌟 The speaker expresses pride in their dual heritage and the contributions of British Asians to society.
• 🌱 There's an emphasis on the desire of British Asians to share their traditions and learnings with others.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The narrative suggests a growing acceptance and celebration of diverse identities within British society.

Q & A

What does the speaker identify as their nationality?

The speaker identifies as British, having been born in Britain and living a British life.

How does the speaker describe their cultural background?

The speaker describes their cultural background as British Asian, having origins in Asia and being brought up with Asian traditions and beliefs.

What has changed in the British Asian communities according to the speaker?

The speaker notes that British Asian communities have become more confident about their identity and are no longer apologetic or feel the need to justify their place in society.

Who are the most influential people in the speaker's life?

The most influential people in the speaker's life are their parents, who came to Britain in 1962 and instilled in them a strong sense of being both British and Asian.

What is the significance of the 'goodness gracious me' sketch to the speaker?

The 'goodness gracious me' sketch is significant to the speaker as it humorously reflects the blending of British and Asian identities, with the character jokingly claiming that Shakespeare was Indian.

What anecdote does the speaker share about their father and Shakespeare?

The speaker shares an anecdote where their father used to tell their brother that Shakespeare was actually an Indian named 'Shap Eyre,' going to great lengths to explain this fictional history.

How did the speaker's brother react to the story about Shakespeare being Indian?

The speaker's brother, believing the story, went to school and told his friends that Shakespeare was actually Indian, reflecting the playful family dynamic and the influence of their father's humor.

What does the speaker believe the British Asian community wants to do with their traditions?

The speaker believes that the British Asian community wants to share their proud traditions and things that people in Britain can learn from.

What is the speaker's view on the integration of British and Asian identities?

The speaker views the integration of British and Asian identities as a source of pride and something to be shared, indicating a positive outlook on the blending of these two cultures.

How does the speaker's upbringing reflect the blending of British and Asian cultures?

The speaker's upbringing reflects the blending of British and Asian cultures through the traditions and beliefs they were raised with, as well as the humorous anecdotes and stories shared by their parents.