Indian Americans can take pride in the rise of many from their community in American pop culture.
From Miss America Nina Davuluri to comedians Mindy Kaling and Aziz Ansari, each has integrated their ethnicity in varying degrees.
The Columbia Spectator looked at how each has incorporated their heritage into their careers.
For Nine Davuluri, her race is front and center. She has made diversity her platform during her year as Miss America.
“I have always viewed Miss America as the girl next door. But the girl next door is evolving as the diversity of America evolves. She’s not who she was 10 years ago, and she’s not going to be the same person come 10 years down the road,” Davuluri said to CNN.
Kaling takes a different tact. She recognizes that she has broken down certain gender and racial barriers. She also sees herself as a comedian first.
In an interview with Parade Magazine she says, “There are little Indian girls out there who look up to me, and I never want to belittle the honor of being an inspiration to them. But while I’m talking about why I’m so different, white male showrunners get to talk about their art.”
Ansari also would like to be looked at foremost as a comedian. But when the opportunity presents himself, he’s not afraid to take on stereotypes.
“I was doing an interview once and the guy said, ‘You must be psyched by all this Slumdog Millionaire stuff.’ And I was like, ‘Um, yeah! I am! I have no idea why, though, as I had NOTHING to do with that movie! It’s just that some people who kinda look like me are in it,’”
Should Indian Americans embrace this approach or reject it?
You can read one take on this issue in the Columbia Spectator,
