Belonging Is Our Resistance: Reclaiming Our Place in America's Story
What does it mean to truly belong?
That was the question at the heart of SAAVETX Education Fund's recent virtual conversation, "Belonging Is Our Resistance," featuring the South Asian American Justice Collaborative (SAAJCO). More than a webinar, it was a reminder that belonging is not simply about being accepted—it is about participating, leading, and shaping the future of our communities.
For many South Asians, recent years have brought an increase in hate crimes, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and policies that have created fear and uncertainty. Too often, these moments make our communities question whether we are fully accepted as Americans.
The session challenged that narrative.
source: SAAJCO
South Asians are not new to America. Our history stretches back centuries, and our community has helped build this country as students, workers, entrepreneurs, physicians, engineers, refugees, military members, business owners, and public servants. Every generation has contributed to America's economy, democracy, and civic life while fighting for greater inclusion and equal rights.
The presentation explored how belonging is intentionally weakened through fear, division, and political rhetoric that labels immigrants and communities of color as outsiders. Participants examined how demographic change, misinformation, inflammatory language, and policies targeting immigration can create an environment where people feel less safe participating in civic life.
We also discussed the real-world impact of recent executive actions and legal challenges affecting immigrant communities—from asylum restrictions and visa policies to questions surrounding birthright citizenship and due process. These issues affect countless South Asian families, including students, professionals, mixed-status households, refugees, and future generations.
Despite these challenges, the evening focused on hope rather than fear.
SAAVETX Education Fund shared how civic engagement is one of the most powerful ways to restore belonging. Through voter registration, civic education, Know Your Rights trainings, leadership development, youth organizing, coalition building, and community events, we are helping South Asians see themselves not as outsiders, but as active participants in American democracy.
The discussion also highlighted the growing strength of the national South Asian movement. Nearly nine years ago, SAAVETX EF began organizing in Texas when there were few organizations dedicated to statewide South Asian civic engagement. Today, through partnerships like the South Asian American Coalition (SAAC)—a national network of South Asian organizations working together to build collective power—and the South Asian American Justice Collaborative (SAAJCO), our community is building the infrastructure needed to ensure our voices are heard at every level.
One of the most inspiring moments of the evening came from learning about SAAJCO's groundbreaking legal advocacy. Under the leadership of Executive Director Kalpana Peddibhotla, SAAJCO is ensuring South Asian voices are represented in some of the nation's most important civil rights cases, including advocacy before the United States Supreme Court through amicus briefs. For a community that has too often been absent from major legal conversations, this represents a historic step toward lasting representation.
The session concluded with a call to action.
Belonging is not passive. It requires participation. It means voting in every election, building coalitions across communities, supporting leaders who reflect our values, reporting hate crimes, knowing our rights, caring for our mental health, and creating spaces where every South Asian feels seen, valued, and empowered.
Resistance is not only about opposing injustice.
It is about building something stronger.
Every conversation we have, every vote we cast, every young leader we mentor, every partnership we build, and every story we tell strengthens our place in this country.
Our community belongs—not because someone grants us permission, but because we have helped build America for generations.
Together, we are writing the next chapter of that story.
Belonging is our resistance.