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Not All South Asian People Look The Same

Seriously, "Indian" is not even an ethnicity.

Natalya Rahman

Oct 17, 2016

Princeton University

199

Not All South Asian People Look The Same

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"Nice to see you again!"

I smile, confused, waiting for an explanation.

"What class are we in together?" the strange man asks.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I feel like I've seen you so many times before!"

"Really? I don't go to this university." (I'm visiting a friend.)

"Oh...some other Indian..." And he walks away.

I'm too shocked to know what to do. There's definitely more than one problem with that statement.

1. Indian = Nationality

Indian isn't even an ethnicity. The word "Indian" "refers to nationality, but not ethnicity or language." This is the second line in the Wikipedia article about Indian People.

I don't see how you can infer something about someone's nationality (or religion or language) by looking at them.

For the record, I'm not Indian by nationality, I'm Pakistani. But forget that bit for a second, because I guess everyone from the subcontinent is the same? (not)

More importantly, all Indians look the same apparently, even though there's a whole bunch of different ethnicities in India.

India the second most populous country in the world and is wonderfully diverse in terms of ethnicity, religion, language and culture/ customs.

Now, let's just assume "Indian" is an ethnicity.

2. People from the same ethnicity don't look the same.

I don't think that statement needs more explanation than that. I'm pretty sure that this applies to all ethnicities.

3. Please don't put your forgetfulness of the people you see on a daily basis down to their ethnicity.

Please give people the individual importance that they deserve.

*end rant*

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Not All South Asian People Look The Same

Seriously, "Indian" is not even an ethnicity.

1. Indian = Nationality

2. People from the same ethnicity don't look the same.

3. Please don't put your forgetfulness of the people you see on a daily basis down to their ethnicity.

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And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

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It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

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Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

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I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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