Going Native

            In her essay “Going Native” Francine Prose gives several examples of individuals who chose to identify themselves with a culture that does not belong to them.  She starts with examples that cast the practice in a negative light, but by the end of the essay she seems to conclude that it is a means of stirring the melting pot.

            I think she fails to make a distinction between “going native” and becoming a native.  The examples she casts in a negative light would be examples of going native.  While the positive experience of truly adopting a different culture would be becoming a native.

After a short exposure to a new or different culture it is easy to “go native,” and adopt practices and ideas that are appealing.  In order to “go native” one must find themselves in a location where there is a distinguishable group of people who have been there longer, observe one or more of their practices, and then adopt those practices as their own.  It may or may not even involve location.  It is possible to “go native” for a place one has never even been to.

To become a native in a different experience altogether.  It involves a true understanding of all of the practices and principals associated with a local group.  It cannot be based on a few simple observations.  It involves location and understanding.  It can only come with time and dedication.  Only after genuinely understanding and truly adopting a different culture as one’s own, can one become native.

Premature or misguided attempts to become native would fall into the category of going native.  I would go so far as to say any attempt to become native would fall into the category of going native; for becoming native is not something one tries to do