For as long as I can remember, I have been considered Indian but not Asian. I was never associated with the typical Asian stereotype. I always envied the East Asian girls who possessed a light skin tone with thin, straight hair that was not compared to the hair of an electrocuted monkey during recess. It wasn’t the physical appearance that I was most jealous of, but the fact that these girls had an identity, and they knew who they were. Most importantly, it seemed like people recognized who these girls were and respected their culture most of the time. 

South Asians have always been excluded from the “Asian” persona and still are excluded. Although racism against East Asians is extremely prevalent today, it is recognized whether it be through Instagram infographics or local news. News and media fail to acknowledge the harm done to South Asians, and even when it is recognized, it is briefly discussed. 

A great example of this would be how back in 2015, Rohit Patel, an elderly Indian man, was taking his usual walk around his neighborhood in New Jersey. Nyle Kilgore followed him for less than a minute before attacking him with a blow to the head and brutally beating him just because he was Indian. Patel suffered from several horrific and permanent injuries such as broken teeth, stitches to the mouth, and a damaged forehead.

While researching this attack, I could barely find any articles or videos outside of Indian media outlets reporting on this event. Not only did this take place in the U.S., but it was also racially motivated and during the time that it took place, racially motivated attacks were not as prevalent as they are today, so one would assume that media outlets would cover this story. However, this story was barely mentioned in any major news outlets and makes me wonder if the same thing were to happen to a Chinese American, would it be talked about more openly? 

South Asians (Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, etc.) are also considered to be their own people, similar to a tribe, and are separated from the rest of Asia (countries like Singapore, China, Japan, etc.), which has led to the normalization of racist comments and actions against South Asians. 

“Asians” are a part of the model minority myth, which classifies them as a kind and obedient group who gained their success by talent and the typical hard-working immigrant mentality. South Asians are also considered part of the model minority myth, but only when it comes to school and education. South Asians are expected to be straight-A students and easily excel through all their courses. However, when South Asians struggle in a class, some teachers assume that they will figure it out on their own and ignore their falling grades, which may be a cry for help. Although the model minority myth is extremely harmful to the mental health of East Asians, it also excludes and promotes racism against South Asians by suggesting that they are rowdy and uncivil. 

Back in June, I was at Target with my dad and went up to an employee to ask her a question. I didn’t realize that she was already in a conversation with another customer, and I quickly apologized and let them finish their conversation. While the other customer was walking away, she looked at my dad and me and made multiple racist comments. “I hope you guys don’t have a green card so you can be deported,” she stated. Not to mention, this lady was bragging about the fact that she was a professor at UCLA, a university with more than 1000 international students. After her racist comments, my dad and I sat in the car in silence, and I was on the verge of tears, questioning what I had done wrong and if the same thing would’ve happened to me if I was “Asian” or just not Indian. This experience proves that the model minority myth contributes to more than just East Asian racism– it encourages South Asian racism. Would the lady have treated me the same if I had pin-straight hair and was carrying a designer handbag? Probably not. 

South Asians are also the punchline of countless jokes, whether it be comparing any Indian guy to Baljeet, or any Indian girl to Devi. We have never been taken seriously. The most frustrating part of this dilemma is the fact that South Asians have the potential to excel in all fields, like East Asians, but when any South Asian makes progress and takes a step forward, racism pushes them three steps back.

Junior Amish Jha said,  “I was always scared to open my lunch in elementary school because everyone would always say it smells like dog food. It was always my lunch they would make fun of.”

South Asians possess all the qualities that the model minority myth gives East Asians. However, internalized racism prevents people from viewing South Asians as anything but people who work in customer service.

South Asians are Asians too. Stop judging people by their looks and spend time learning about someone before you develop an opinion. We deserve respect and appreciation. Blatant racism and degrading comparisons aren’t only detrimental to us as a race but to society as a whole.

Photo Courtesy of UNSPLASH.COM