SSSP 2025 Annual Meeting
Date: Saturday, August 9
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:10 PM
THEMATIC
Session 039: Category Crisis: South Asian Immigrant Experiences in the US
Room: Kimball Room
Sponsor: Critical Race and Ethnic Study
Organizer, Presider &
Discussant: Rafia Javaid Mallick, Georgia State University
Description: This session explores the complexities of South Asian immigrant life in the U.S., addressing challenges like the Census category labeling crisis, which often misrepresents their identities. It highlights the struggles immigrants face in balancing cultural heritage with the expectations of their new homeland. Through personal narratives and scholarly insights, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of assimilation—the tension between preserving roots and integrating into American society. This discussion offers an enlightening and empowering platform for South Asian voices, fostering awareness and understanding of their multifaceted experiences within a broader audience.
Papers:
“Dating and Courtship Preference: Do Children of Muslim Bangladeshi Immigrants Want Traditional Partners?” Fatema Zohara, Loyola University Chicago
“Indian Tech Workers’ Identity Discourses in Activism in India and the United States,” Rianka Roy, Wake Forest University
“The Gulabi Stories Initiative: Exploring Identity, Healing, and Resistance through South Asian Diaspora Narratives,” Meghna Bhat, Independent Scholar and Consultant
“Understanding the Experiences of South Asian Immigrants in the United States: A Multifaceted Theoretical Analysis,” Rafia Javaid Mallick, Georgia State University
