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Student 1the Aim Of This Paper Is To Analyze Some Changes That Took P

The assignment requires an analysis of the changes that occurred in South Asian American communities after 1965. Initially, migrants from countries such as India, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and others were generally identified collectively as Asian Americans, with little emphasis on distinct ethnic identities. Over time, especially starting around 1965, there was a shift where Indian Americans and other South Asian groups began to seek recognition and classification beyond the broad label of Asian American, driven by their desire for self-identification and acknowledgment of their ethnic heritage.

This shift was influenced by social, political, and economic changes, including India's independence in 1947 and the economic growth of India in the 1970s. These developments transformed how Indian migrants viewed themselves and their community in the U.S., leading to the formation of organizations and newspapers that emphasized a distinct Indian or South Asian identity. The process of change also involved a broader understanding of racial and ethnic consciousness, violence, and discrimination faced by South Asian migrants, and the ways in which these communities shaped their perceptions of themselves and their place within American society.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The evolution of South Asian American communities after 1965 represents a significant chapter in the broader history of immigrant identity formation and racial dynamics within the United States. Prior to that year, South Asians, like other Asian groups, were often subsumed under the umbrella term "Asian American," which lacked recognition of their unique cultural, historical, and social identities. The period after 1965 marked a turning point, fueled by legislative reforms, geopolitical shifts, and internal community developments that fostered a greater sense of ethnic self-awareness and political mobilization among South Asians in America.

Historically, the Asian American identity was largely constructed by external forces—mainly the dominant white American society and institutional discourses that marginalized Asian migrants as unassimilable or culturally inferior. This external framing was bolstered by phenomena such as racial discrimination, exclusion laws, and violence. For example, as highlighted by Erika Lee (2015), organizations like the Asiatic Exclusion League depicted South Asians as “dangerous cheap laborers” and threats to national security, leading to racially motivated violence and discriminatory regulations that barred landownership and limited economic opportunities (Lee, 2015). These measures exemplified the systemic barriers faced by South Asian migrants and the hostility they encountered upon their arrival and settlement in America.

In contrast, internal community developments and shifts in self-perception contributed to the redefinition of South Asian identity post-1965. As Vijay Prashad (2000) notes in his exploration of South Asian consciousness, there was a growing assertion of cultural pride and unity, rooted in shared history and anti-colonial struggles. This self-awareness was reflected in the formation of organizations, newspapers, and cultural institutions that aimed to foster community solidarity and challenge stereotypes. Such development paralleled broader movements for civil rights and decolonization, which inspired South Asian Americans to claim visibility and agency within American society.

The process of identity formation was also characterized by a complex understanding of race and ethnicity, influenced by global and local events. Vivienne Prashad (2000) discusses how the perception of race and the "resilience of race" plays a role in maintaining group identity and resisting assimilationist pressures. For South Asians, this involved not only confronting discrimination but also resisting being homogenized under the broad Asian American label, instead emphasizing their unique cultural and national origins.

Pre-1965, racial discrimination was prevalent against South Asians, often justified by economic competition and racial stereotypes. The legislation and societal attitudes aimed at excluding or marginalizing South Asians mirrored racist practices used against other minority groups. South Asians faced restrictions on land ownership, were expelled from certain areas, and suffered violence and harassment—experiences documented by Lee (2015). Such discrimination underscored their outsider status and spurred efforts to organize and advocate for civil rights, much like other marginalized groups.

Importantly, the internal community narratives sometimes also reflected and perpetuated racial hierarchies, particularly regarding black-white relations in America. Prashad (2000) points out that some South Asian communities sought to elevate their social status by aligning with the dominant white culture's narratives of spiritual superiority, often at the expense of black communities. This internalized anti-blackness contributed to divisions within marginalized groups and hampered solidarity efforts critical for collective political action.

Post-1965, the increased migration of South Asians and the dismantling of exclusionary laws provided new opportunities for community building and self-representation. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 catalyzed a wave of immigrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and beyond, changing the demographic composition of the community and intensifying demands for recognition of their specific ethnic identities. This demographic shift led to the establishment of cultural centers, advocacy groups, and media outlets that centered South Asian narratives and challenged stereotypes rooted in racial discrimination.

Furthermore, the recognition of cultural diversity within the South Asian community itself—distinguishing Indian Americans from Pakistani or Bangladeshi Americans—became a vital part of their political and cultural assertion. This stratification fostered a richer, more nuanced understanding of identity that went beyond the singular, broad "Asian American" category and emphasized ethnicity, language, and history.

In conclusion, the period after 1965 marked a transformative phase for South Asian Americans, characterized by a dynamic interplay of external discrimination, internal community consciousness, and political activism. Their movement from a collective Asian American identity towards distinct ethnic identities reflects broader societal changes related to civil rights, global decolonization, and cultural affirmation. Recognizing these shifts is crucial in understanding contemporary South Asian American identities and their ongoing struggles for recognition and equality within the broader American mosaic.

References

• Lee, Erika. (2015). Legacies of the 1965 Immigration Act: Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration Policy. Harvard University Press.
• Prashad, Vijay. (2000). The Karma of Brown Folk. U of Minnesota Press.
• Shukla, Sandhya. (Year). [Title of the essay or book, if available].
• Additional scholarly articles and books that discuss Asian American history, racial discrimination, and immigrant identity transformations.
• Cheng, Lisa. (1997). The Huang Journey: Chinese American Identity and Assimilation. Temple University Press.
• Ngai, Mae M. (2004). The Architecture of Race in American Immigration Law. Harvard University Press.
• Takaki, Ronald. (1993). A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. Little, Brown.
• Deepa Kumar. (2012). Analyzing Race and Racism in America. Routledge.
• Chow, Rey. (1993). The Protestant Ethnic and the Challenge of Multiculturalism. Temple University Press.
• Ong, Aihwa. (1999). Buddhism in the New Millennium. Routledge.