In a few short pages, I already feel like I know Raj, in part because we share the same experiences of moving through the world as a person of color and always, always being in our heads about how we are received, perceived, and accepted. Raj strikes me as an introvert who has developed some level of gregariousness to try to belong. He is hungry for allyship and taxed with an awareness that he’s visually different from and tokenized by his peers, yet somewhat invisible to them.
The excerpt hints at exploring the anxieties of having access, but maybe not entirely belonging; the frustrations of having otherwise educated, articulate peers who can’t speak up when microaggressions are hurled your way; the loneliness of not being afforded the same grace for your mistakes. Raj’s untoward utterance sets up a fascinating study in colorism and power dynamics. I’m excited to read on and see where Pandya goes with it.
The excerpt hints at exploring the anxieties of having access, but maybe not entirely belonging; the frustrations of having otherwise educated, articulate peers who can’t speak up when microaggressions are hurled your way; the loneliness of not being afforded the same grace for your mistakes. Raj’s untoward utterance sets up a fascinating study in colorism and power dynamics. I’m excited to read on and see where Pandya goes with it.