#southasianamerican — Public Fediverse posts

Hello Bay Area!

I’ve been posting about the process of creating a San Francisco South Asian Radical History Walking Tour

Well, our public SF opening weekend is coming up July 12 and 13, and over half the spots are already registered.

Please reserve a spot if you’re interested

https://www.berkeleysouthasian.org/

#SouthAsianAmerican #BayArea

Trump just signed an order putting language requirements on commercial truck drivers.

But we know who this targets: the 100,000 South Asian truck drivers, many of whom are Punjabi/Sikh, who power the industry

(If you’ve ever wondered why there’s delicious Indian food on the highway between SF and LA, now you know why.)

https://www.sikhcoalition.org/blog/2025/breaking-new-executive-order-on-trucking/

#SouthAsianAmerican

It’s a scary time for health equity, but here’s some good news!

While other universities and health systems are buckling, UCLA Health is still working to serve the specific health needs of the diverse communities they serve

https://indiawest.com/ucla-health-launches-much-needed-program-to-address-heart-disease-among-south-asians/

#SouthAsianAmerican

January's MAGA-vs-Musk H1B debate ended w/Desi workers treated as punching bags

One reason I'm a member of the Bay Area's leftie Alliance of South Asians Taking Action is because they have the ability to deal with nuance

ASATA just published its understanding of how H1B workers fit into a larger vision of the dignity of immigrant workers, including spouses, kids aging out, Muslims, and green card applicants trapped in line forever

https://www.asata.org/post/777134732867731456/guest-worker-statement

#SouthAsianAmerican #IndianAmerican

Narika and all the other South Asian American feminist/anti-DV/anti-violence groups do such critical work in our communities

https://indiacurrents.com/narika-opens-second-transitional-home-in-bay-area/

#SouthAsianAmerican

“They had endorsed Trump’s racism and xenophobia, hoping it would conveniently spare them as the exception. So, unable to call it racism—lest this exposes the hypocrisy of their endorsement…Hindu groups are crying Hinduphobia”

https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2025/2/27/its-regular-old-racism-not

#Desi #IndianAmerican #SouthAsianAmerican

Indian American media is finally picking up on the fact that Musk doesn’t really like us, even if he posts approvingly of the H1B visa

https://indiacurrents.com/musk-to-rehire-doge-staffer-who-posted-anti-indian-hate-on-social-media/

#IndianAmerican #SouthAsianAmerican

Damn. Kash used to be a South Asian Bar Association board member, and a diversity mentor?

There’s never been a more deserving life member of the #DesiWallOfShame

https://indiawest.com/nyt-report-kash-patels-responses-to-senate-shed-light-on-personal-professional-life/

#SouthAsianAmerican #Desi #IndianAmerican

"The task force, which released its report in August 2024, acknowledged that caste-based discrimination exists at Rutgers, stating that it 'limits the potential and opportunities of some in our university community.'"

https://indiawest.com/rutgers-rejects-adding-caste-as-a-separate-category-in-non-discrimination-policy/

#SouthAsianAmerican

6/x Fave reads of 2024…

We need historical fiction to make South Asian American history come alive.

"Step up to the Plate, Maria Singh" by Uma Krishnaswami is a sweet middle grade novel about a Punjabi-Mexican girl navigating race and citizenship in WW2 era California.

https://www.leeandlow.com/books/step-up-to-the-plate-maria-singh/

#Books #Bookstodon #NowReading #SouthAsianAmerican

People sometimes ask why ethnic news media is important. Here’s an example of a journalist covering a larger story, using a very different lens.

https://indicanews.com/five-indian-origin-individuals-feature-in-president-bidens-clemency-list/

#SouthAsianAmerican

I’m so pissed that Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill banning caste-based discrimination.

This is the definition of a Pyrrhic victory. “Hindu” lobby groups have convinced the public and politicians that Hinduism is inherently bigoted:

“But opponents of the bill said it unfairly targets Hindus because caste is a part of their religion. “

https://calmatters.org/politics/2023/10/caste-discrimination-newsom/

#Caste #AntiCaste #California #SB403 #SouthAsianAmerican #GavinNewsom

🍉 There is a long history of South Asian American activists standing with colonized people under attack.

I recently came across this 1947 newspaper clipping on the South Asian American Digital Archive website.

The article is from the papers of ex-Gadharite Godha Ram Channon.

It describes him teaming up with Black, Greek, Communist, and labor organizers in San Francisco to protest Dutch attacks during the Indonesian National Revolution.

(cont…)

#Desi #SouthAsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory

🍉 There is a long history of South Asian American activists standing with colonized people under attack.

I recently came across this 1947 newspaper clipping on the South Asian American Digital Archive website.

The article is from the papers of ex-Gadharite Godha Ram Channon.

It describes him teaming up with Black, Greek, Communist, and labor organizers in San Francisco to protest Dutch attacks during the Indonesian National Revolution.

(cont…)

#Desi #SouthAsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory

🍉 There is a long history of South Asian American activists standing with colonized people under attack.

I recently came across this 1947 newspaper clipping on the South Asian American Digital Archive website.

The article is from the papers of ex-Gadharite Godha Ram Channon.

It describes him teaming up with Black, Greek, Communist, and labor organizers in San Francisco to protest Dutch attacks during the Indonesian National Revolution.

(cont…)

#Desi #SouthAsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory

🍉 There is a long history of South Asian American activists standing with colonized people under attack.

I recently came across this 1947 newspaper clipping on the South Asian American Digital Archive website.

The article is from the papers of ex-Gadharite Godha Ram Channon.

It describes him teaming up with Black, Greek, Communist, and labor organizers in San Francisco to protest Dutch attacks during the Indonesian National Revolution.

(cont…)

#Desi #SouthAsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory

🍉 There is a long history of South Asian American activists standing with colonized people under attack.

I recently came across this 1947 newspaper clipping on the South Asian American Digital Archive website.

The article is from the papers of ex-Gadharite Godha Ram Channon.

It describes him teaming up with Black, Greek, Communist, and labor organizers in San Francisco to protest Dutch attacks during the Indonesian National Revolution.

(cont…)

#Desi #SouthAsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory

🧵 Happy #AAPIHeritageMonth!

People usually trace Asian American movements to 1968.

But I found an old newspaper article about an "Oriental Students Association" at the University of California in 1907, with members from India, China, Thailand, and Japan.

Do you see what I see? Here's the story 👇🏽

https://www.secretdesihistory.com/oriental-students-association-793e40f71896

#AsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory #Histodons #Berkeley #SFBA #EthnicStudies #SouthAsianAmerican

🧵 Happy #AAPIHeritageMonth!

People usually trace Asian American movements to 1968.

But I found an old newspaper article about an "Oriental Students Association" at the University of California in 1907, with members from India, China, Thailand, and Japan.

Do you see what I see? Here's the story 👇🏽

https://www.secretdesihistory.com/oriental-students-association-793e40f71896

#AsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory #Histodons #Berkeley #SFBA #EthnicStudies #SouthAsianAmerican

🧵 Happy #AAPIHeritageMonth!

People usually trace Asian American movements to 1968.

But I found an old newspaper article about an "Oriental Students Association" at the University of California in 1907, with members from India, China, Thailand, and Japan.

Do you see what I see? Here's the story 👇🏽

https://www.secretdesihistory.com/oriental-students-association-793e40f71896

#AsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory #Histodons #Berkeley #SFBA #EthnicStudies #SouthAsianAmerican

🧵 Happy #AAPIHeritageMonth!

People usually trace Asian American movements to 1968.

But I found an old newspaper article about an "Oriental Students Association" at the University of California in 1907, with members from India, China, Thailand, and Japan.

Do you see what I see? Here's the story 👇🏽

https://www.secretdesihistory.com/oriental-students-association-793e40f71896

#AsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory #Histodons #Berkeley #SFBA #EthnicStudies #SouthAsianAmerican

🧵 Happy #AAPIHeritageMonth!

People usually trace Asian American movements to 1968.

But I found an old newspaper article about an "Oriental Students Association" at the University of California in 1907, with members from India, China, Thailand, and Japan.

Do you see what I see? Here's the story 👇🏽

https://www.secretdesihistory.com/oriental-students-association-793e40f71896

#AsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory #Histodons #Berkeley #SFBA #EthnicStudies #SouthAsianAmerican

We had three groups from schools and universities come on the Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour in the past week:

https://www.berkeleysouthasian.org/

There were Stanford undergrads, USF education grad students, and finally, two local South Asian high school groups who had fundraised to be able to attend.

We love all our attendees, but the high schoolers were adorable — and insightful.

#SouthAsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory #ushistory

1/n

We had three groups from schools and universities come on the Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour in the past week:

https://www.berkeleysouthasian.org/

There were Stanford undergrads, USF education grad students, and finally, two local South Asian high school groups who had fundraised to be able to attend.

We love all our attendees, but the high schoolers were adorable — and insightful.

#SouthAsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory #ushistory

1/n

We had three groups from schools and universities come on the Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour in the past week:

https://www.berkeleysouthasian.org/

There were Stanford undergrads, USF education grad students, and finally, two local South Asian high school groups who had fundraised to be able to attend.

We love all our attendees, but the high schoolers were adorable — and insightful.

#SouthAsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory #ushistory

1/n

We had three groups from schools and universities come on the Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour in the past week:

https://www.berkeleysouthasian.org/

There were Stanford undergrads, USF education grad students, and finally, two local South Asian high school groups who had fundraised to be able to attend.

We love all our attendees, but the high schoolers were adorable — and insightful.

#SouthAsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory #ushistory

1/n

We had three groups from schools and universities come on the Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour in the past week:

https://www.berkeleysouthasian.org/

There were Stanford undergrads, USF education grad students, and finally, two local South Asian high school groups who had fundraised to be able to attend.

We love all our attendees, but the high schoolers were adorable — and insightful.

#SouthAsianAmerican #AsianAmericanHistory #ushistory

1/n

still trying to figure out hashtags!

👇🏽 So this thread is for my #Bengali #SouthAsian #SouthAsianAmerican #SouthAsianDiaspora #IndianAmerican #Desi #MastIndia #AsianAmerican #AAPI #AsianAmericanHistory #SanFrancisco #BayArea #SFBay #History #Ghadar community

https://mastodon.social/@anirvan/109396052286512325

still trying to figure out hashtags!

👇🏽 So this thread is for my #Bengali #SouthAsian #SouthAsianAmerican #SouthAsianDiaspora #IndianAmerican #Desi #MastIndia #AsianAmerican #AAPI #AsianAmericanHistory #SanFrancisco #BayArea #SFBay #History #Ghadar community

https://mastodon.social/@anirvan/109396052286512325

still trying to figure out hashtags!

👇🏽 So this thread is for my #Bengali #SouthAsian #SouthAsianAmerican #SouthAsianDiaspora #IndianAmerican #Desi #MastIndia #AsianAmerican #AAPI #AsianAmericanHistory #SanFrancisco #BayArea #SFBay #History #Ghadar community

https://mastodon.social/@anirvan/109396052286512325

still trying to figure out hashtags!

👇🏽 So this thread is for my #Bengali #SouthAsian #SouthAsianAmerican #SouthAsianDiaspora #IndianAmerican #Desi #MastIndia #AsianAmerican #AAPI #AsianAmericanHistory #SanFrancisco #BayArea #SFBay #History #Ghadar community

https://mastodon.social/@anirvan/109396052286512325

still trying to figure out hashtags!

👇🏽 So this thread is for my #Bengali #SouthAsian #SouthAsianAmerican #SouthAsianDiaspora #IndianAmerican #Desi #MastIndia #AsianAmerican #AAPI #AsianAmericanHistory #SanFrancisco #BayArea #SFBay #History #Ghadar community

https://mastodon.social/@anirvan/109396052286512325

I’m so pissed that Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill banning caste-based discrimination.

This is the definition of a Pyrrhic victory. “Hindu” lobby groups have convinced the public and politicians that Hinduism is inherently bigoted:

“But opponents of the bill said it unfairly targets Hindus because caste is a part of their religion. “

https://calmatters.org/politics/2023/10/caste-discrimination-newsom/

#Caste #AntiCaste #California #SB403 #SouthAsianAmerican #GavinNewsom

I’m so pissed that Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill banning caste-based discrimination.

This is the definition of a Pyrrhic victory. “Hindu” lobby groups have convinced the public and politicians that Hinduism is inherently bigoted:

“But opponents of the bill said it unfairly targets Hindus because caste is a part of their religion. “

https://calmatters.org/politics/2023/10/caste-discrimination-newsom/

#Caste #AntiCaste #California #SB403 #SouthAsianAmerican #GavinNewsom

I’m so pissed that Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill banning caste-based discrimination.

This is the definition of a Pyrrhic victory. “Hindu” lobby groups have convinced the public and politicians that Hinduism is inherently bigoted:

“But opponents of the bill said it unfairly targets Hindus because caste is a part of their religion. “

https://calmatters.org/politics/2023/10/caste-discrimination-newsom/

#Caste #AntiCaste #California #SB403 #SouthAsianAmerican #GavinNewsom

I’m so pissed that Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill banning caste-based discrimination.

This is the definition of a Pyrrhic victory. “Hindu” lobby groups have convinced the public and politicians that Hinduism is inherently bigoted:

“But opponents of the bill said it unfairly targets Hindus because caste is a part of their religion. “

https://calmatters.org/politics/2023/10/caste-discrimination-newsom/

#Caste #AntiCaste #California #SB403 #SouthAsianAmerican #GavinNewsom

Priya Living made it to the New York Times! I love seeing these new options open up for Indian American (and other) seniors

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/04/realestate/indian-immigrants-community-living.html?unlocked_article_code=1.8Ew.aRzv.FNI9yXnljQ0t&smid=url-share

#SouthAsianAmerican #eldercare #FremontCA

Are you a South Asian American history nerd? Or just curious?

SAADA, the incredibly online archive of community history (bttps://www.saada.org/), is celebrating its 15th anniversary on Monday, July 10.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-saadas-15th-birthday-tickets-664718158907

#SouthAsianAmerican #CommunityArchive #AsianAmerican #EthnicStudies

Happy #BlackHistoryMonth!

I want to share something really cool that I discovered.

I've been digging into intersections between Black and #SouthAsianAmerican history, and found something new.

We know about Punjabi Mexicans and Black Bengalis.

But I just found 3 examples of Black women in New York and Chicago married to Punjabi/Sikh men back in 1940.

👇🏽 Keep reading for the whole story

1/n

#USHistory #AsianAmerican #EthnicStudies #BlackHistory #Geneadons #Histodons #Sikh #MastIndia #Desi

Exactly 100 years ago, the US Supreme Court's ruling in "U.S. v. Thind" led to every single Indian American having their citizenship forcibly removed.

But how did the mass denaturalization *actually* happen?

@prof_erikalee found the receipts and shared them here:

https://www.saada.org/tides/article/united-states-of-america-vs-vaishno-das-bagai

Here's what she found…

(thread continues)

1/n

#BhagatSinghThind #Histodons #CivilRights #SouthAsianAmerican #Desi #AsianAmerican #Racism #USHistory #MastIndia #IndianAmerican #EthnicStudies

I research South Asian American histories in Berkeley, California. I just came across the earliest story yet.

In 1880s Berkeley, a turbaned figure known as Old James wandered the hills.

The “Hindu” immigrant milker on a dairy farm was a curiosity to neighbors.

James' life, as a child on the farm remembered it, was a mix of labor, opium addiction, prophecy, and maybe loneliness. 🧵

I wrote about him at
https://www.secretdesihistory.com/old-james-1880s-berkeley

#SouthAsianAmerican #histodons #AsianAmerican #Berkeley #BerkeleyCA

New Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour!

Our next several tours are all sold out, so we opened up a surprise tour next Saturday, November 9 in Berkeley, CA. Last I checked, there were only 12 spots left. Please come join us.

https://www.berkeleysouthasian.org/

#SouthAsianAmerican #BerkeleyCA #SFBAevents

I research South Asian American history in Berkeley, California. And though I hate relying on colonial police/surveillance documents to understand stories of movements, some of the materials are gold.

This 1913 report from British arch-villain super-spy Hopkinson relies on informants to describe tensions among the early pre-Ghadar Indian nationalist students at UC Berkeley.

It includes all kinds of juicy details, including…

(1/3, continued below)

#SouthAsianAmerican #BerkeleyCA #histodons

A plug for the amazing new elaichi co. Pakistani chai shop in downtown Berkeley, California. They're in soft-launch this month, and yet so crowded every single night, chock full of brown college students. This is kind of an amazing year, between this and all the new Yemeni cafes.

https://www.instagram.com/officialelaichico
https://www.elaichico.com/

#Berkeley #BerkeleyCA #SouthAsianAmerican #chai

Cool! Our walking tour was just featured in the San Francisco Chronicle’s SFGATE

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/things-do-berkeley-18481092.php

#Berkeley #BerkeleyCA #SFBA #SouthAsianAmerican

The Indian American Muslim Council in CalMatters: “We must teach our neighbors and local legislators to distinguish between Hinduism the religion and Hindutva as a supremacist political ideology."

https://calmatters.org/commentary/2024/06/hindu-nationalism-india-california-politics/

#SouthAsianAmerican #IndianAmerican #HinduAmerican

"On social media platforms such as Twitter, and Blind, an app used by tech professionals many of whom are Indian immigrants, any criticism of hate crimes in India is quickly met with accusations of being unpatriotic or engaging in whataboutism, effectively stifling meaningful dialogue. This inconsistency speaks to a deeper issue of our insecurities, and our inability to introspect our cultural shortcomings."

https://indiacurrents.com/the-paradox-of-indian-americans-who-lean-left-in-the-us-but-right-in-india/

#IndianAmerican #SouthAsianAmerican

What a terrible immigration journey — an L1 falling through, bad or missing counsel, and now trapped outside the country away from family

https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2023-09-05/la-na-pol-california-legal-immigration-separated

#USPol #immigration #IndianAmerican #SouthAsianAmerican

"Proponents feel the revised version of the bill is something everyone can get behind. The Hindu American Foundation, which has been vocally against SB 403, praised the amendments, claiming they water down the emphasis on casteism."

https://news.yahoo.com/california-caste-bill-moves-forward-175359750.html

#Casteism #CaliforniaPolitics #IndianAmerican #SouthAsianAmerican