Yashica, i am delighted to read you essay. Thank you for introducing to readers the South Asians we see and hear who are working in businesses in Jackson Heights and Queens but who do not appear in any of the mainstream news media. What is you say is true--caste is something that continues to be insidious and is shrugged off as "history."
Grateful for your comment, Pramila. It's surprising that such a huge population just doesn't get representation in media. It's a function of the shrinking news business and also a reflection of the lack of will to feature these voices, outside of a 'special interest story'.
And caste is absolutely a part of our communities. But it also stays hidden behind an unwillingness to discuss it.
You are right. I think it is up to us, whether poets or fiction / nonfiction writers to write about folks who simply will not be represented in the media. BTW, I really liked your book. It was truth telling at its best.
Yashica, i am delighted to read you essay. Thank you for introducing to readers the South Asians we see and hear who are working in businesses in Jackson Heights and Queens but who do not appear in any of the mainstream news media. What is you say is true--caste is something that continues to be insidious and is shrugged off as "history."
Grateful for your comment, Pramila. It's surprising that such a huge population just doesn't get representation in media. It's a function of the shrinking news business and also a reflection of the lack of will to feature these voices, outside of a 'special interest story'.
And caste is absolutely a part of our communities. But it also stays hidden behind an unwillingness to discuss it.
You are right. I think it is up to us, whether poets or fiction / nonfiction writers to write about folks who simply will not be represented in the media. BTW, I really liked your book. It was truth telling at its best.