From Colonialism to H-1B Visa: How British Colonial Education Policies Shaped Modern Racism

Words by Ayesha Ahmed

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This is a rare vintage poster for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's 1994 concert at London's most iconic venue, the Royal Albert Hall. The audience was slowly drawn in, first through the plush harmonium, beautifully played by Khan's brother, and then constant murmur of tabla and the hand claps of the group's chorus. The night started out with one of Khan's signature songs: "Allahoo" [God Is], which is a 'hamd,' or praise song, and the traditional way of opening a qawwali performance. He ended the concert with the iconic song, "Mast Qalandar." Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was just 48 when he died in August 1997. His music could never be constrained by borders, or stashed away in a drawer. His death sparked a global state of mourning. (Available now as print)

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Recommended Reads:

How British Colonizers used Photography to Justify the Occupation of India

Chai Time? Colonial Entanglements of Labor and Leisure from Tea plantations to Kitchen

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From Colonialism to H-1B Visa: How British Colonial Education Policies Shaped Modern Racism

Racism against South Asians, particularly Indians, has become rampant with President Donald Trump's recent inauguration as Americans and non-Americans alike have increasingly been debating the fate of H-B1 visas. Discussions online show that many loyal Trump voters are beginning to reevaluate their support for the President because they fear that if he does not limit the acceptance of H-B1 visa applicants then their jobs would be outsourced to foreign workers rather than American citizens. As a result, many online are showing hostility toward Indians. Countless posts on social media accuse Indians of having low IQs and are “dirty” and incapable of assimilating to the West.

While these posts are very jarring, the beliefs perpetuated by xenophobic and racist people are not new. In fact, the sentiments expressed by people racist toward Indians mirror the same rhetoric British colonialists used to solidify their justifications for colonizing the Indian subcontinent. One way the British perpetuated colonialism was through dismantling the educational systems in India and replacing them with British education. British lawmakers in India undermined the intelligence of Indians and as a result, perpetuated the notion that colonization was necessary to civilize Indians. These ideas ultimately were widespread and successfully strengthened the hold of the British on India, thus allowing the empire to further exploit and dehumanize Indians.