The system is not incompatible with hierarchies that devalue those who are different. It has and continues to be about advancing self-interest and instrumentalizing those who are servants of those interests.

Whatever our positions are in relation to the question of H1B visas, we must not be deceived. Political leaders and business magnates now arguing for maintaining the current H1B system are not doing so because of a value for the humanity and dignity of immigrant workers.

The abuse that we witness is a manifestations of White nationalism, racism and xenophobia. We would miss this, and our response would be misguided if we continue to characterize this denigration as only Hinduphobia

Although there are elements of anti-Hindu sentiment in some of these social media postings, it is wrong, as some Hindu organizations are doing, to represent these attacks only as “Hinduphobic.” The problem is deeper and not limited to Indians who are Hindus.

In a similar way, we are witnessing the vilification of Indians as unhygienic, uncultured, threatening national interest and as following lifestyles different from the majority of Americans.

In the case of the Haitians, it was not enough to name them as illegal aliens. Myths were broadcasted about their diet, their contribution to the spread of diseases and the increase in crime.

Indian Americans are gravely mistaken if we thought that we are exempt and that this hate speech would be limited to our neighbors from the south or to Haitian immigrants.