दीदी: Diidii

by Lydia Waheed

This piece focuses on the relationship between eldest daughters in families of color and their siblings. Many immigrant daughters, especially the eldest, are expected to take on parental roles despite being children themselves. Coming to America pushes this ideal further as immigrant parents face language barriers and chase after the American Dream.
I modeled this piece specifically after my best friend, Nita, and her younger sister, Nuthi. Showcasing an older and younger sister is a reminder of the emotional gap that often occurs between daughters and their mothers as the eldest sister takes on the prominent female role.