Jennifer Babu did her best to hide her Indian American heritage and to be accepted as an American.
The 22-year old now says her rejection of her identity may have been the result of the misrepresentation and underrepresentation of South Asian Americans in the media.
The Philadelphia Business Journal reports she’s launched a new online entertainment magazine Videshi Magazine to counter stereotypes of South Asians.
“How we are represented in the media really affects how other people perceive us when they meet us,” Babu said. “I didn’t see that being fulfilled in the magazine industry and I thought that was a real shame.”
Babu knows the challenge is a big one. Not only will it be difficult to counter mass media, analysts says it will also be hard to gain a large enough audience to attract advertisers.
You can read more about the challenge she faces in the Philadelphia Business Journal.