Priya/nka
Illuminated Lies

PRIYA/NKA

[audio excerpt]

You are Priya. Priya Gandhi. Yes, Gandhi.  But also no, not that Gandhi.

You are Priya…nka. Priyanka Rajkakati, and definitely not that Gandhi.

You’re culturally Indian, from Gujarat, the vast deserts of the Indian West.

You’re culturally Indian, from Assam, the lush himalayan valleys of the Indian North-East.

You identify more strongly as American, as you’ve never lived in India.

You identify strongly as Assamese, but you’ve never lived in Assam.

You are the third generation of immigrants, from village to city, from Mumbai to America.

You are the second generation of immigrants, from village to city, from Assam to Delhi.

You choose to now live in Australia.

You choose to now live in France.

You have roots and cultural ties, but don’t feel like you belong to one particular place.

You have moved around a lot and you feel no connection to somewhere specific. 

Your existence causes all kinds of misunderstandings.

You don’t fit the stereotype that they are looking for when you tell them your name.

Stereotype, the ultimate effect of Disinformation.

Stereotype, the ultimate effect of Disinformation...