We must not scorn those who say that America is a place that thwarts people on the basis of race
Kumble Subbaswamy, Ph.D.
July 24, 2024
Tunku Varadarajan rightly points out how, as an immigrant-group, the Indian American diaspora has “prospered without quotas and grievances” (“J.D. Vance and the Indian American Dream,” op-ed, July 17). He concludes with: “Unapologetic about their drive to thrive, they are rightly scornful of those who would say that America is a place that thwarts people on the basis of race.”
As a proud and successful member of the Indian American immigrant community, I am unapologetic about my group’s drive to thrive but emphatically not scornful of those who say that America is a place that thwarts people on the basis of race. Mr. Varadarajan leaves out that most of the Indian immigrants to this country came as highly educated professionals seeking better opportunities. Some also came with the support of already established family-run businesses (motel owners and such).
No one should be scornful of those African-Americans who were born into poverty, educated at subpar schools and discriminated against at every turn in the job market. Such a reaction shows a lack of regard for American history as well as an absence of empathy, which, ironically, is the essence of Indian spiritual notions of dharma and karma.
Kumble Subbaswamy, Ph.D.
Chancellor emeritus
University of Massachusetts, Amherst