In this exhibit, my aim is to weave historical context into a narrative I started as me-search, providing a broader understanding of the macrocosm surrounding the microcosm of Poly-NYU for South Asian students. Initially, I will explore the appropriateness of the term "South Asian" as a label for individuals with ancestry from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, as well as diasporic communities in Fiji, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, and Jamaica.
As I delve into the advent of South Asian presence at Poly-NYU, it is essential to contextualize it within the historical backdrop of the institution and the broader social landscape. This includes tracing the historical immigration patterns and political events that have shaped South Asian identity in the United States.
Through this lens, I will examine the earliest semblances of South Asians within the institution during the 1970s. Subsequently, I will explore the emergence of the first South Asian clubs in the 1990s and 2000s, reflecting the shifting visibility of South Asian students in the institution.
Moreover, I will delve into significant events of the 2000s, such as the Sa Re Ga Ma event from 2001 to 2005 and how "South Asianness" permeates to the administrator level. Despite encountering archival silences and unanswered questions, this project aims to showcase the active participation of South Asians within the Poly-NYU community. Through archival research, my goal is to show that rather than passively gaining visibility, South Asian students actively carved a niche and established their presence.
The header photo of this site features South Asian student Joga Hayre. Joga Hayre's Punjabi-Sikh father is helping adjust his graduation regalia. This was a photo from the 2001 Polywog in the Graduation section. This was my favorite archival image and decided it deserved a spot on every page of my site.
Credits
Amisha Kimbely Gopee