UNITED STATES, October 25, 2002: As the United States moves toward a more multicultural and multi-faith society at the beginning of the 21st century, “Hindu-Bashing in Early 20th Century U.S.A.,” brings to light some unpleasant realities early Hindu immigrants faced in America. By 1920, 6,400 Asian Indians, mostly Sikhs from the Punjab, had immigrated to America. They were not particularly welcomed. Early in the 20th century, white workers in Bellingham, Washington, instigated a riot against Indian laborers, causing them to flee to Canada. The United States government sided with the Asian Exclusion League, doing virtually nothing to support the Indian workers. By 1923, the Supreme Court had upheld a law terminating Asian Indian immigration. It was not until 1965 that immigration from India resumed. Katherine Mayo’s 1927 book, “Mother India,” referred to India as a dying nation with a slave mentality. In between this and other negative publicity, Swami Vivekananda made a positive impact in Chicago in 1893 at the Congress of Religion. His Vedantic teachings instilled an intellectual appreciation of India. For additional information on the struggles encountered by early Hindu immigrants, readers can read the full article at “source” above.
A daily summary of world news for Hindus and non-Hindus alike