South Asian American men are not usually depicted as ideal American men. They struggle against popular representations as either threatening terrorists or geeky, effeminate computer geniuses. To combat such stereotypes, some use sports as a means of performing a distinctly American masculinity. Desi Hoop Dreams focuses on South Asian-only basketball leagues common in most major U.S. and Canadian cities, to show that basketball, for these South Asian American players is not simply a whimsical hobby, but a means to navigate and express their identities in 21st century America.
Dr. Stan Thangaraj, an anthropology professor at the City College of New York, talks with Vyjayanthi Vadrevu, a business anthropologist, dancer, and actress, about his work at the intersection of sports and anthropology. Visit This Anthro Life to hear this conversation in podcast form.
What an amazing segment! This segment is already among my formative and foundational artifacts for how to BE in this shifting world. Thank you Stan. Thank you Human Science.