I was truly honored to be asked to host the South Asian America Digital Archive’s (SAADA) event this year which was held in Philadelphia at the beautiful Historic Society of Pennsylvania.
This year’s theme was #WhereWeBelong and it could not have been better timed given the rise of hate crimes, xenophobia, and white supremacy in general.
It was beautiful and therapeutic to remember how America became the diverse “melting pot” it is, and to retrace how immigrant groups came to this country and made it their home.
SAADA’s mission is to give voice to South Asian Americans through documenting, preserving and sharing stories that represent their unique and diverse experiences, as explained on their website:
SAADA believes that the South Asian American history is an integral part of American and world histories, and in a broad conception of South Asian America, centered on those in the U.S. who trace their heritage to Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the many South Asian diaspora communities across the globe.
I encourage you to check SAADA out and learn more about their work, at the core of which is the belief that immigrants are central to the story of America’s past, present, and future.
Also, if the featured image of this post of the three women haunts you the way it haunts me, click here to learn more about their amazing journey.