Beyond Racial Labels: Indian American Students’ Experiences With Racial Ambiguity

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Civic Engagement and Civic Identity With Asian and Asian American Communities (Table 9)

Abstract

This qualitative study highlights the unique racial experiences of Indian American students. Often perceived as “more black,” “more white,” or just “ambiguous non-whites,” depending on history, context, and viewer, as they navigate a complex racial landscape. Using Desi Critical Race Theory (DesiCrit), this study explored the racial experiences of Indian American students. Data collection included interviews with Indian American undergraduate students from a midwestern university. Participants’ responses were deductively coded using the DesiCrit lens. The study revealed that racial ambiguity can confer privilege while also exposing students to unique forms of discrimination. These findings contribute to the limited body of knowledge on racially ambiguous students of color, particularly Indian Americans.

Author

• Anshika Bhasin, University of Wisconsin - Madison