The rise of political figures like Kamala Harris, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Usha Vance has brought increased visibility to South Asian Americans, but it has also led to a surge in anti-South Asian hate and racism. According to a report by Stop AAPI Hate, the number of anti-South Asian posts online doubled during the campaign season, with threats of violence against South Asian Americans up by 17%. South Asians across the country have reported being accosted, denied services, targeted with slurs, and faced with threats of violence due to their background.
The increasing visibility of South Asian Americans in politics has also led to a rise in online hate and attacks. Far-right figures like Laura Loomer and Ann Coulter have made derogatory comments about South Asian identity, while Trump falsely questioned Kamala Harris’s racial identity. Additionally, JD Vance’s wife, Usha Vance, faced attacks from white supremacists.
The fear of showing one’s South Asian identity has increased, with many community members being scared to speak up about incidents of racism they face. Some are starting to question their place in the U.S. despite sacrificing everything to come here. The heightened political violence and hate crimes against South Asians have created a climate of fear within the community, reminiscent of the post-9/11 period when some Indian Americans were wrongly targeted for being Muslim.
While there are prominent South Asian Americans in political positions, the continued xenophobic messaging from the administration and online extremists has cast a shadow over the everyday experiences of South Asian Americans, causing many to feel marginalized and unsafe in their own communities.
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