My Failed College Indian Cultural Connection
The mismatch between my name and ethnicity
My roommate answered my dorm phone freshman year. As he passed the phone to me, he whispered, ‘It’s a girl for you A.J, but said she’s looking for Adam.’
I grabbed the phone, and in my gravelly baritone voice said ‘This is Adam.’
Priya* said she was calling from the Indian Student Association (ISA).
I listened intently, excited. She proceeded, ‘I’m calling because you wrote your contact details down on our information sheet at the Student fair a few days ago.’
‘Yep, I’m interested in hearing more about the ISA.’
Her tone changed. I could sense hesitation.
‘I wanted to let you know, that the ISA is composed primarily of Indians.
*Silence*
‘I am Indian’, I retorted.
‘Oh, I thought you weren’t because your name was Adam.’ Embarrassed, and before I could respond, she hung up the phone.
I never attempted making contact with the ISA again.
My name and my appearance don’t match
This small interaction sums up a struggle I’ve had my whole life. When people see my name written…
