Exam 16: Working With South Asian American Clients an Interview With Sumana Kaipa

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South Asian Americans may face a dilemma when responding to the U.S. Census or other surveys that ask individuals to denote their group membership by checking a box. This dilemma arises from the complexity and diversity of the South Asian American community. South Asia is a region that includes countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and others, each with its own distinct culture, language, and history. As a result, individuals from South Asian backgrounds may identify with multiple ethnic or national identities, and may not feel accurately represented by a single checkbox on a survey.

Additionally, South Asian Americans may also struggle with the concept of race and ethnicity in the United States. The racial categories used in surveys and the Census may not align with how individuals from South Asian backgrounds perceive their own racial or ethnic identity. For example, some South Asian Americans may identify as Asian, while others may identify as Middle Eastern or White, depending on their specific background and experiences.

Furthermore, there may be concerns about how the data will be used and whether it will accurately reflect the needs and experiences of the South Asian American community. Some individuals may worry about being stereotyped or marginalized based on the data collected, while others may feel that their unique cultural and social needs will not be adequately addressed if they are simply lumped into a broad category.

In response to this dilemma, some South Asian Americans may choose to check multiple boxes, write in their specific ethnic or national identity, or simply skip the question altogether. Others may advocate for more inclusive and nuanced categories on surveys and the Census to better capture the diversity within the South Asian American community. Ultimately, the dilemma highlights the need for more thoughtful and inclusive approaches to collecting data on race and ethnicity in the United States.