South Asian Americans Being Made Scapegoats


The current debate over outsourcing is leading to a different track altogether. Instead of discussing the effects of outsourcing on the US economy, the debate seems to have lost its track. Outsourcing currently, have become fodder for late night talk shows and editorial page cartoons.

Missing from the National debate, however, is the possible effects of the anti-outsourcing backlash on the South Asian community in the US. In fact, incidents of racial and ethnic backlash against individuals of South Asian origin are approaching disquieting levels.

The IT Professionals Association of America, an association for software professionals, has begun selling T-shirts bearing the slogan on its website: “ My job went to India and all I got was this stupid pink slip”. It should be the moral duty of media and the community leaders to avoid the scapegoating of South Asians and South Americans when discussing the outsourcing of jobs to India and other South Asian countries.

In order to prevent future incidents of racial intimidation and xenophobia, the US should preserve its commitment to diversity and global community. On the other hand they should encourage tolerance as they debate the issue of outsourcing with its neighbours.

Jesmine