Striped Zebra

By and

Striped Zebra: The Immigrant Psyche is a presentation on the forthcoming research volume on the subject of migration. The metaphor of Striped Zebra postulates that – upon migration – an immigrant’s mind assumes a “dyadic” structure, in which two parallel streams of thought run side by side. One of these, called the “Seed” values is those set of values that the immigrant brings along from the native culture and which are resistant to change. The second termed the “Feed” values is those values that the immigrant is eager and willing to assimilate from the society he or she settles in (called the “host” society).

The presentation will spell out the principal components of both the Seed and Feed value systems. It would then go on to suggest that after a long sojourn in the host land, the Striped Zebra is open to the possibility of turning into the “Spotted Leopard.”

1) The migration phenomenon – global and ever-burgeoning

2) Two sets of values: Seed and Feed

3) Ethnic chasms – responses thereto

4) Why people hold on to traditions

  • Emotional anchor
  • Bonding with co-ethnics abroad
  • Bonding with folks at home
  • Continuity with their past

5) Adolescence: identity formation

6) Seed values

  • Male authority
  • Parental authority: marriage within the fold
  • Extended family
  • Respect for the elders
  • First language maintenance
  • Native cuisines, attires
  • Ethnic celebrations
  • Ethnic media

7) Feed values

  • The “American Dream”
  • Education
  • Individual rights
  • Gender Equality
  • Kids’ rights
  • Value of time

8) Spotted Leopard

9) One Word

Author Bio

Uday C. Naval is the former President of Society of Indian Academics in America. He retired a few years ago from Herbert H. Lehman College, where he taught English and Linguistics for a quarter century. Dr. Naval has published much in areas related to language studies, art criticism, management practices and Indian philosophy.

In 1961, Dr. Naval published a book on the technique of "time and motion" study, a first on the subject in any Asian language at the time, which was enthusiastically received by the Government and major industries in India. Lately, however, his energies have been focused more on the doctrines of karma and reincarnation. In these fields, he has made several presentations, including the New York Interfaith Forum.


Soofia K. Hussain is a full professor of sociology at Nassau Community College , Garden City. She has a doctorate from Columbia University and specializes in the areas of family, gender roles, bureaucracy - besides, of course, migration. Dr. Hussain is the author of many published articles and has presented extensively at professional conventions.