Caste in the Shadows: Exposing the Invisible Intersection Within the Asian Model Minority Narrative

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 3:05 pm
  In Roundtable Session: International Students Navigating Invisible Intersections, Social Mobility, and Cultural Differences (Table 24)

Abstract

In US contexts, South Asians are typically considered within a “model minority” monolith associated with positive stereotypes in academic settings and STEM. This paper uses intersectionality and critical historical commentary to problematize this stereotype by highlighting the hidden intersectionality of caste oppression. We highlight how caste oppression has been reproduced and migrated with South Asians and has persisted as a global phenomenon. Although many South Asians claim caste blindness and many non-South Asians claim caste ignorance, our critical historical commentary helps dispel these claims of ignorance and innocence and calls for more attention, action, and solidarity with caste-oppressed communities.

Authors

• Nivedita Kumar, Florida International University

• Stephen D. Secules, University of New Mexico