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Our Stories: An Introduction to South Asian America
“. . . to suddenly discover yourself existing . . . .”
Our An Introduction to South Asian America is an anthology rooted in community.
Bringing together the voices of sixty-four authors—including a wide range of scholars, artists, journalists, and community members— Our Stories weaves together the myriad histories, experiences, perspectives, and identities that make up the South Asian American community.
This volume consists of ten chapters that explore both the history of South Asian America, spanning from the 1780s through the present day, and various aspects of the South Asian American experience, from civic engagement to family. Each chapter offers stories of struggle, resistance, inspiration, and joy that disrupt dominant narratives that have erased South Asian Americans’ role in U.S. history and made restrictions on our belonging.
By combining these narratives, Our Stories demonstrates the diversity, vibrancy, and power of the South Asian American community.
Our An Introduction to South Asian America is an anthology rooted in community.
Bringing together the voices of sixty-four authors—including a wide range of scholars, artists, journalists, and community members— Our Stories weaves together the myriad histories, experiences, perspectives, and identities that make up the South Asian American community.
This volume consists of ten chapters that explore both the history of South Asian America, spanning from the 1780s through the present day, and various aspects of the South Asian American experience, from civic engagement to family. Each chapter offers stories of struggle, resistance, inspiration, and joy that disrupt dominant narratives that have erased South Asian Americans’ role in U.S. history and made restrictions on our belonging.
By combining these narratives, Our Stories demonstrates the diversity, vibrancy, and power of the South Asian American community.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
478 pages, Hardcover
First published July 8, 2021
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76 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 10, 2021
The first line of the Introduction posits: "As a person of South Asian heritage reading this book, you have perhaps wondered how your story fits into the American story." YES, I HAVE! I was thrilled to find out that SAADA was creating this textbook for young readers - I was even more thrilled to read it and find that Indo-Caribbean-Americans were included. (Finally!)
I'm so impressed with the collection of histories, the level of research, and how digestable the textbook is. I came away with a deeper appreciation for how connected we are (1) within the South Asian American diaspora (often elusive as an Indo-Caribbean), (2) with other immigrant communities (damn that inherited colonialist "us versus them" mentality), and finally (3) with America!!! Let me explain this last one:
You remember when you hit your teenage years, and you're studying US and global history in school? I didn't realize it then, but deep down it felt like I was learning someone else's history, and that I had to adopt it as my own ... because I didn't have my own. And believe me, I searched libraries and bookstores for something to make me feel like my family had roots not just in this country but anywhere! I wanted to know where I came from and how I belonged - that I wasn't just a transplant. It was impossible to find anything written by Indo-Caribs in any library or bookstore back then so I delved into novels written by South Asian writers but still could only find parts of myself, and even then it was fiction. THIS TEXT finally shone a light on people who looked like me, whose foreparents shared the values and languages and foods of my ancestors, and who made an impact in this country. They (we) made a difference. They (I) matter.
Sounds really deep for a textbook? Ya. I was surprised too.
I highly recommend this as an important addition to every South Asian American's study no matter which route your foreparents took to get here. Been out of school for years? Not a fan of history books? It's an easy read: written in digestable segments with supplemental stories; authors write separately so there is variety in style; it includes even recent events; it's refreshingly woke, with essays on identity, faith, arts and pop culture, parenting, love inclusive of queer love, Ms. Marvel (!), MeToo, and so on. It's quite something to read about your own legacy as written by people who share it with you. I'd love to share it with you too!
I'm so impressed with the collection of histories, the level of research, and how digestable the textbook is. I came away with a deeper appreciation for how connected we are (1) within the South Asian American diaspora (often elusive as an Indo-Caribbean), (2) with other immigrant communities (damn that inherited colonialist "us versus them" mentality), and finally (3) with America!!! Let me explain this last one:
You remember when you hit your teenage years, and you're studying US and global history in school? I didn't realize it then, but deep down it felt like I was learning someone else's history, and that I had to adopt it as my own ... because I didn't have my own. And believe me, I searched libraries and bookstores for something to make me feel like my family had roots not just in this country but anywhere! I wanted to know where I came from and how I belonged - that I wasn't just a transplant. It was impossible to find anything written by Indo-Caribs in any library or bookstore back then so I delved into novels written by South Asian writers but still could only find parts of myself, and even then it was fiction. THIS TEXT finally shone a light on people who looked like me, whose foreparents shared the values and languages and foods of my ancestors, and who made an impact in this country. They (we) made a difference. They (I) matter.
Sounds really deep for a textbook? Ya. I was surprised too.
I highly recommend this as an important addition to every South Asian American's study no matter which route your foreparents took to get here. Been out of school for years? Not a fan of history books? It's an easy read: written in digestable segments with supplemental stories; authors write separately so there is variety in style; it includes even recent events; it's refreshingly woke, with essays on identity, faith, arts and pop culture, parenting, love inclusive of queer love, Ms. Marvel (!), MeToo, and so on. It's quite something to read about your own legacy as written by people who share it with you. I'd love to share it with you too!
March 19, 2022
Learned so much about the Indian disapora in America, so grateful to those that made this possible!
December 20, 2024
incredible book. wow. i learned so much and the corresponding digital archive is among the best i’ve seen.
December 12, 2022
This insightful compilation includes a lot of archival materials like newspaper articles and photographs. It made me realize that there is a lot more history about South Asians in the U.S. than popular media would suggest. The commentary helped me shed light on some of the challenges and inequities that South Asian Americans have faced over the more than 100 years we have been here. The book made me feel more connected to my community, and I highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews