Indian Americans and the Pathology of Scapegoating: An Examination of Historical and Contemporary Narratives

I have never been comfortable with the posture of victimhood, not for the sake of drawing sympathy. Living always in the shadow of grievance allows resentment to shape one’s identity. Yet, there are moments when refusing to acknowledge patterns of hostility isn’t strength but denial. As an Indian American, I find it impossible to ignore the rising hostility in certain right-wing spaces, where casual cruelty is wrapped in memes, and resentment is disguised as “economic anxiety.” This reality deserves to be named and openly discussed.

Historical Context of Scapegoating

This is not about playing the victim; it’s about recognizing a recurring pathology throughout history. Various groups have been scapegoated in America at different times: Irish immigrants in the 19th century, Chinese laborers in the late 1800s, Japanese Americans during World War II, Jewish Americans during moments of populist backlash, and African Americans throughout centuries. Today, Indian Americans increasingly find themselves becoming targets.

Take, for instance, Aaron Ely, a former MMA fighter turned IT worker, who expressed a violent intent towards immigrant workers in a conversation with a Washington Post reporter. His comments were not isolated but reflect a broader worldview circulating in certain political circuits. This worldview allows the economic anxieties of one group to justify dehumanizing another. When such sentiments gain legitimacy through right-wing media and political rhetoric, history urges us to pay attention.

The New Dynamics of Resentment

The assertion that Indian Americans are the “new Jews” of the 21st century is not to equate their experiences with the horrors of the Holocaust. However, the dynamics of resentment—targeting success, cultural differences, and disloyalty—are comparable.

Statistically, Indian Americans are at the top of the income ladder in the U.S., boasting a median household income exceeding $100,000. Moreover, about 70% hold at least a bachelor’s degree, compared to a national average of 28%. On paper, these are impressive achievements, but in the world of resentment, they become evidence of supposed arrogance.

Moreover, just as Jewish Americans were historically caricatured as “controlling” finance or academia, Indian Americans today face accusations of “colonizing” Silicon Valley or dominating medicine. High visibility in elite sectors often provokes envy rather than admiration, creating an environment ripe for scapegoating.

The MAGA Ecosystem and Its Impact

If resentment is the initial spark, the MAGA ecosystem serves as the accelerant. Right-wing factions thrive on scapegoating, providing a simplified narrative that shifts blame for hardships onto “outsiders.” Figures like Charlie Kirk perpetuate this theme, insisting that foreign tech workers undermine American graduates. Such rhetoric recycles populist ideas, focusing resentment on Indian Americans as convenient targets.

The progression from memes to political narratives is noteworthy. What begins as derogatory jokes about accents and stereotypes in online forums can quickly transform into congressional talking points. This bridge from social media mockery to political discourse is alarming.

The historical parallels are striking. Anti-Chinese sentiments spurred legislation like the Chinese Exclusion Act, while Japanese Americans faced internment in World War II due to blanket suspicion stemming from had the same catalyst of economic anxiety paired with racial prejudice.

The pattern of scapegoating generally follows a similar trajectory: ridicule evolves to resentment, which further manifests into rhetoric, policy, and ultimately, violence. In contemporary America, MAGA memes and jokes about Indian Americans serve as the first stages of this insidious cycle.

Economic Anxiety or Disguised Racism?

Defenders of anti-immigrant rhetoric often reframe their claims as concerns about economic competition rather than racism. Historical analysis, however, reveals the hollowness of this argument. Irish immigrants and Chinese laborers were falsely blamed for economic downturns, dismissing the underlying systemic issues linked to industrial capitalism.

Today, as the tech industry sheds jobs, it’s easier to redirect frustration toward visible immigrants rather than addressing the failures of corporations and economic policies. High-profile cases like Vincent Chin—a victim of racial violence amid economic strife—illustrate how quickly grievances can turn into scapegoating of minorities.

The rhetoric of “economic anxiety” is especially dangerous because it cloaks racism in language of pragmatism. Rather than addressing structural failures of capitalism, it offers a convenient target for the discontented: the immigrant worker.

The Call for Resistance

Today, Indian Americans find themselves in a precarious position. The challenges are not merely about economic competition; they are part of a broader narrative that threatens to repeat the mistakes of history. The lesson isn’t that Indian Americans are condemned to persecution, but rather that scapegoating rarely restricts itself to a single group.

Therefore, resistance must happen early and broadly. Laughing off memes that dehumanize requires immediate confrontation, along with redirecting economic grievances toward the actual culprits: corporations and policymakers.

Building solidarity across communities that have also faced scapegoating is crucial. Indian Americans must align their efforts with Jewish, Asian, African American, and Latino groups to combat the tide of resentment.

Contributions That Enrich the American Fabric

Despite the challenges, the narrative of Indian Americans in the U.S. is also one of remarkable contributions. Indian Americans are not merely overrepresented in technical fields; they are also innovating, leading, and shaping American society across numerous dimensions—cure diseases, creating enterprises, advancing political representation, and enhancing the cultural landscape.

The question always remains: Will America view these contributions as enriching or threatening? Recognizing the value of diversity not only honors contributions but also fuels the growth and vitality of society.

The same data that breed resentment can also be read as reasons for celebration. As history has taught us, the stories of resilience and contribution are far more vital than the tales of scapegoating. Understanding this dichotomy is essential for nurturing a society that thrives on diversity rather than being fractured by resentment.