Identity and Materiality in Diaspora

The Indian diaspora in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex is one of the largest in the United States. The first swaths of Indian immigrants began arriving in Texas in the 1960 and the growth in recent years has been exponential. Using a mixed methodological approach, I set out to understand the relationship between the Indian diaspora and public/private material representation, consumption, and identity. What I found was a unique identity with a few key factors differentiating the DFW Indian diaspora from other large diasporas in Texas and the US. These primary distinctions include an intentionality of engagement, a pattern of accelerated integration, and a generalized experience of authenticity apart from an individual’s personal and or regional representation. The first and second are closely related though distinct. The second calls into question what constitutes authenticity. Finally, the utility of the findings is explored in the realms of education, civic participation, and the building of community cohesion.