ANTI-BLACKNESS IN OUR COMMUNITIES
WRITTEN BY AYANNA GANDHI
Although often not talked about and considered taboo, the racism that South Asians demonstrate towards African Americans is real and haunting, even in the 21st century. An example of interminority racism, the South Asian community has seldom been held accountable for the rampant racism shown towards African Americans. Here, we will dissect why this happens and how Desi-Americans of our generation can change the hatred in our communities.
A.K. Mozumdar and Bhagat Singh Thind, two immigrants who were considered “high caste”, were the first to bring the ideas of the disturbing yet still existing caste system in South Asia to the United States. In their argument for American citizenship, they stated that “they passed the whiteness test because they identified themselves as “high Caste Hindu, of full Indian blood.” As “high Caste Hindus” were almost always associated with “pure Aryan blood,” they explained that they shared their racial origins with Caucasians.” Essentially, Thind and Mozumdar considered and advocated for themselves as white due to similarities in their genetics and their use of language. Due to this feeling of superiority, Thind was repulsed at even the thought of marrying a woman of a “lower race” and wanted to completely eliminate inter-race mixing. The first to associate whiteness with the Aryan, high Caste Hindu status, Mozumdar and Thind cemented interminority racism into the South Asian-American experience.
Though the caste system among South Asians in America may not be as prominent nowadays, it has not in any way been eliminated. In the privacy of their own homes and families, many South Asians discriminate against the Black American population, enforcing bans such as dating or marrying them. An experience held by many first generation South Asian Americans, covert and disguised racism is frequent and unsurprising in our communities.
When I first heard people in my community express racist ideas, I asked my parents why, in such a progressive, educated group, ideas such as those are accepted and seemingly condoned. I realized that the anecdotes and ideas of Thind and Mozumdar had never been challenged or changed, and with the erasure of South Asian history in our history curriculums, newer generations of South Asian Americans weren't being educated on the issues historically present in their community.
While it is important to know that history and societal expectations are the causes of anti-black ideas, these underlying catalysts are not justification for racism. Stand up for justice, and change the narrative.
Although often not talked about and considered taboo, the racism that South Asians demonstrate towards African Americans is real and haunting, even in the 21st century. An example of interminority racism, the South Asian community has seldom been held accountable for the rampant racism shown towards African Americans. Here, we will dissect why this happens and how Desi-Americans of our generation can change the hatred in our communities.
A.K. Mozumdar and Bhagat Singh Thind, two immigrants who were considered “high caste”, were the first to bring the ideas of the disturbing yet still existing caste system in South Asia to the United States. In their argument for American citizenship, they stated that “they passed the whiteness test because they identified themselves as “high Caste Hindu, of full Indian blood.” As “high Caste Hindus” were almost always associated with “pure Aryan blood,” they explained that they shared their racial origins with Caucasians.” Essentially, Thind and Mozumdar considered and advocated for themselves as white due to similarities in their genetics and their use of language. Due to this feeling of superiority, Thind was repulsed at even the thought of marrying a woman of a “lower race” and wanted to completely eliminate inter-race mixing. The first to associate whiteness with the Aryan, high Caste Hindu status, Mozumdar and Thind cemented interminority racism into the South Asian-American experience.
Though the caste system among South Asians in America may not be as prominent nowadays, it has not in any way been eliminated. In the privacy of their own homes and families, many South Asians discriminate against the Black American population, enforcing bans such as dating or marrying them. An experience held by many first generation South Asian Americans, covert and disguised racism is frequent and unsurprising in our communities.
When I first heard people in my community express racist ideas, I asked my parents why, in such a progressive, educated group, ideas such as those are accepted and seemingly condoned. I realized that the anecdotes and ideas of Thind and Mozumdar had never been challenged or changed, and with the erasure of South Asian history in our history curriculums, newer generations of South Asian Americans weren't being educated on the issues historically present in their community.
While it is important to know that history and societal expectations are the causes of anti-black ideas, these underlying catalysts are not justification for racism. Stand up for justice, and change the narrative.
“The high Caste Hindu regards the aboriginal Indian Mongoloid in the same manner as the American regards the Negro.” -Bhagat Singh Thind