South Asian Panel Explores Identity

Speakers at the 1999 Conference of South Asian American Political and Community Activists, sponsored by the Harvard-Radcliffe South Asian Association, explored the challenge of maintaining a unique South Asian identity in the United States.

Moderator Dr. Rajini Srikanth set the tone for the panel portion of the conference, which was held in Emerson Hall on Saturday, by referring to a phone call she once received after appearing on a cable television show.

"Why are you so preoccupied with your identity?" said the caller, who asked Srikanth why she hadn't assimilated more like earlier immigrants, such as Italian-Americans.

Srikanth recalled assuring the caller that although south Asians valued their heritage, they did not intend to set themselves apart.

"We aren't preoccupied with our differences, we're comfortable with our sameness," she said.

Yash Aggarwal, Krishna Kolluri and Ram Uppuluri, all former candidates for the U.S. Congress, spoke about the political implications of being South Asian.

Also, Prema Vora, a director of Sakhi for South Asian Women, spoke about South Asian domestic violence; and Tito Sinha, an attorney, talked about South Asian hate crimes.