Indian Americans encounter discrimination and polarization

Revelations of the 'Social realities of Indian Americans' report

Indian Americans form the second-largest settlement group in the United States of America. The Indian American Attitudes Survey and YouGov, a research and analytics company, surveyed 1,200 Indian Americans. The result was published jointly by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University (SAIS). 

Swearing in as the President of the United States, Joe Biden stated “Indian –of-descent Americans are taking over the country.” President Joe Biden mentioned the brining of ‘solitary culture’ in the United States of America. Many key roles in Biden’s administration were given to the Indian Americans including Kamala Harris and Vinay Reddy.

The Indian American attitudes survey highlighted that thirty per cent of Indian Americans identify discrimination as a major issue in America. The skin color and gender were identified as the major factors contributing to discrimination. Interestingly, ‘country of origin’ also rooted as a factor for discrimination.

Religion and caste system impose a divide, not only in India but also in the United States. Religion, caste and specifically race pose a serious threat to humanitarianism. According to the survey, a higher number of Indian Americans believe that religion plays a key role in their lives. Interaction or communication of Indian Americans is homogenous. They tend to stick with their social communities.

The marginalized communities in the US, based on their caste, are vulnerable to inequality or bias. In contrast to the appointment of officers for administration, marginalized communities in the US are subject to discrimination at the workplace. The report highlighted a lawsuit against Cisco systems filed in the year 2020. An employee belonging to a marginalized caste community was victimized by his colleagues, who were Indian Americans.

Speaking of education, the majority of the Indian Americans either completed their education or had their undergraduate degree before immigrating to the US.

The individuals are confined to their culture and norms, just like tracing the times of history. Endogamy is largely found in the first and second generations of the Indian American population in the US. However, the survey also revealed an increase in inter-community marriages in the second generation population.

Although the population is said to have diverse cultures or religion, the majority of the respondents belonged to the Hindu community. Muslims, Christians and others were a religious minority. When questioned on ‘self-identity, the term ‘Indian American’ and ‘Indian’ has gained a large number of responses. Self-identification also based on their religion. The report showed that Hindus would prefer to be identified as ‘Indians’ while Christians are likely to identify as ‘Americans.’

The report also revealed that civil and political engagement was higher among the US-born. Networking of individuals or socialization continues to be homogenous in the US, politically, economically and socially.