The Cost of Silence: How Normalizing Anti-Indian Hate Harms Us All

Standing Together Against Anti-Indian Hate

Recently, a former SpaceX and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee, 25 year-old Marko Elez posted the alarming statement: “Normalize Indian hate.” A look at his now deleted social media accounts showed other anti-Indian sentiments. Elez posted that “99% of Indian H1Bs will be replaced by slightly smarter LLMs, they’re going back don’t worry guys and went on to say “just for the record, I was racist before it was cool.” The fact that someone in a government-affiliated role could openly call for hatred against an entire identity group without facing any meaningful consequences is alarming and not something we should brush under the carpet.

Hate speech, particularly when it targets specific racial and ethnic communities, must never be ignored or dismissed as mere rhetoric. When powerful figures, institutions, and systems fail to hold individuals accountable for such sentiments, they send a dangerous message: that bigotry is acceptable. Even more troubling is the possibility that rather than facing repercussions, this individual is likely to be rewarded by Elon Musk with the reinstatement of his DOGE position. This move signals a growing tolerance for public expressions of racism and hate.

At a time when societal divisions are widening, it is more important than ever for Americans — across all racial, ethnic, and political backgrounds — to stand together, rather than be pitted against each other. As Indian Americans gain more visibility and influence in the U.S., we are increasingly being met with hostility. And while anti-Indian sentiment is not new, its public normalization in today’s climate should concern us all.

A History of Bias, A Call for Unity

For those of us who grew up in the U.S. during the 1970s and 80s, overt racism was an unfortunate reality. Back then, terms like “dot head” and “Hindu” were used as slurs, and South Asians were largely invisible in American media — except for the rare stereotypical portrayal, like Apu from The Simpsons. These representations were not just offensive; they reinforced ignorance, increased anti-Indian bias, and emboldened others to be overtly racist and xenophobic.

At that time, the Indian American community had not yet emerged as one of the most populous, educated, and economically successful immigrant groups in the country. We had little political and media representation, and many of our parents were still establishing themselves in their careers, working tirelessly to secure a better future for us. But despite their success, our families could not successfully shield us from the racism and xenophobia that shaped our collective lived experiences.

In recent years, anti-Indian sentiment has ticked up due to tensions surrounding H-1B visas. The H1-B holders are facing criticism and backlash which is fueled by the extremist views that the Indian H-1 B visa holders are “stealing” American jobs. This misconception has contributed to the growing anti-Indian sentiment. In the last year, South Asians have faced an increase in online hate. A recent report by Stop AAPI Hate found that South Asian communities were targeted with the highest volume of anti-Asian online hostility, with 60% of slurs directed at them.

Racism is more than just discrimination — it is a form of human shaming that can leave lasting scars. I know this firsthand. As a child and into my young adulthood, I was mocked being called “Cindu the Hindu,” told to “go back to my country,” and called slurs that no human should ever have to hear. These were not just passing insults; they were deeply wounding experiences that shaped my sense of identity and belonging.

For half of my life, I felt ashamed of my Indian heritage. It wasn’t until my late twenties that I fully reclaimed my identity with pride. While I am proud that I dared to unlearn the shame imposed upon me, my scars remain. And I know I am not alone in this journey.

Why this Moment Matters

Fast forward to today: Indian Americans have achieved incredible milestones. Despite the disparities within the Indian American diaspora, we are the fastest-growing immigrant group, have the highest education attainment, and have the highest median household income. We are increasingly visible in politics, medicine, technology, entertainment, and business. Our presence and influence in American society is undeniable.

History has repeatedly shown that when marginalized groups begin to rise, there is often backlash and resentment from those who feel threatened by their progress. Those who feel threatened by our progress may attempt to fuel hate against us as Marko Eloz attempted to do in his social media post that called for the normalization of Indian hate.

We cannot afford to look away or brush off racism as something that does not affect us. We cannot assume that because we have privilege in some areas, we are immune from discrimination in others. Let this be the moment we stand firm, not just as individuals but as a collective Indian-American community. Let this be the moment we demand accountability and refuse to allow anti-Indian hate to be normalized. Because if we do nothing now, we risk leaving the next generation vulnerable to the same painful experiences many of us have spent a lifetime trying to heal from.

The responsibility to stop hate falls on each of us. If you want to take a deep dive on countering and addressing online hate, take a look at this United Nations guide .

The next time you witness online hate, consider taking the following actions:

1. Report the hate and racism immediately to the digital platforms it is appearing on.

2. Educate and Challenge Stereotypes- use facts and historical context to deconstruct faulty and damaging stereotypes about Indian people.

3. Join online and in person spaces dedicated to solidarity like the South Asian Solidarity Movement.

4. Reflect on your own biases and assess if social media posts or national rhetoric you have consumed has influenced your feelings towards people from different identity groups. As humans, we ALL have bias, so this is something all of us should be doing on a regular basis.

5. Be Prepared to respond with dignity and clarity, not with anger or vitriol. When and if you respond to hate online, stick to the facts and be respectful to help promote understanding vs further division.

Now is not the time to look away or shrug our shoulders about anti-Indian bias and hate. Now is the time to be united and protect our children from racism and xenophobia, and build a society where all communities, including ours, can thrive.