In understanding South Asian history in the United States, we must first suspend some stereotypes.

The South Asian community is indeed diverse in language, religion and socio-economic backgrounds.  However, the history of South Asians has often been told from the post-1965 lens of the professional English educated middle class South Asian, overriding a long history, before and after, of South Asians that came to this country as workers.

South Asians makes up huge portions of service and labor industries including taxi drivers, street vendors, domestic workers, nurses, hotel owners, and factory workers. By redressing workers’ struggle and history in the U.S., we hope to not only shed light on the amazing contributions they have given us today but also provide support around their vulnerable economic, social and political situations.