The Curious Immigration Stories of South Asians in Illinois

There is a diasporic community that has lived in Illinois for the last 80 years, and despite their huge impact on our commerce and culture, hasn't made themselves very known. South Asians are one of the largest groups of immigrants living in Illinois and have believed in keeping their heads down and doing the work. 

So Jitesh Jaggi took a recorder and set out on a mission to explore their stories- asking them what Illinois looked like when they first moved here in the 1950s onward, and how it has changed them over the decades since. 

Their responses were surprising stories of hubris, survival, longing, and metamorphosis. Most importantly, they give the listener a unique perspective on America's embrace of multiculturalism and how we benefit from having diverse voices contribute to our arts, culture, and businesses. 

This thoroughly entertaining yet poignant session will include amalgamated stories narrated by Jitesh on behalf of the interviewers (and some in their own voices) mixed with stories of his own lived experiences as a first-generation immigrant. Audiences will uncover a "model minority" living in their midst while also being regaled with their adventures as they make a foreign land their new home. Jitesh will also leave participants with a handy guide on how to conduct oral histories of their own in ways that capture the essence of an interviewee's life journey.

This presentation aligns with the Illinois America 250 Commission's theme “We the People.” This theme invites us to explore ideas of who has been included and who has been left out of the nation’s promise, as well as how people from all backgrounds have shaped and reshaped what it means to be part of “the people.” The Illinois America 250 Commission's goals are to uplift local stories, places, and programs; build pride; and showcase how Illinois brings the ideals of the Declaration of Independence to life.