The Warmth of African American and Indian American Friendship Set Against the Backdrop of Sanatana Dharma

When I asked my longtime friend Anthony Blair if he was interested in authentically experiencing my Hindu-Indian culture right here in Columbus, Indiana, he jumped at the opportunity. I had already mentioned my shakha to him in the past and how it has helped me in just over a year to root in my authentic cultural identity untainted by colonial history. He was intrigued because he too has been on a quest to root his true identity untainted by the history of slavery, while still acknowledging its reality. In that common quest, we found a deep friendship that has stood the test of time. And so this year I decided it was a good time to build a bridge between my friend and my shakha. 

To celebrate Black History Month, we invited Anthony Blair, a local entrepreneur, speaker, and author to be a part of our shakha on February 25, 2024. 

Ant participated right from the start. I had briefed him on basic shakha protocols and a karyakarta was always there to fill gaps for him. Still, I could sense quite a few technical things getting lost in translation but  I also sensed how the warmth, camaraderie, and kindness of my shakha were not getting lost on him. He played all the games in khel and took part in Niyuddha with unbelievable enthusiasm. When the Baudhdhik session started, we sat on either side of the Bhagwa Dhwaj and I asked the first question, “How was the experience so far?” He said with a bright smile it reminded him of being among friends, even though everyone here is new to him. To me, it seems like it imparted to him a feeling of being in a safe space where he is fully accepted – exactly how I felt when I first joined shakha! But it was interesting how he doesn’t have any cultural nostalgia associated with it like I do and yet he felt belonging. That proved to me yet again how the template of shakha is one that is truly and inherently inclusive by design. 

We then discussed the similar experience of oppression although not the same. The imprints of that historical experience have lasted well after the oppression has been systemically removed – biases, anxiety, resentment, and so on. Ant has been championing community causes through his love of craft beer. He has used his talents and his stupendous people skills to benefit folks across the community, especially children from lower economic strata. So I found it important to ask him, when so much has been taken away from people of color historically what makes him want to give back? Ant found that the more he helped others heal, the more he healed. What he has now he didn’t have before and it made a huge difference to him when others with access to opportunity and happiness gave him that access in the past. He is simply continuing the cycle of giving. I realized my friend was echoing the principles of Sangha without realizing it – he was treating the whole world like his family and doing his best to nourish it. 

Next, our discussion touched upon the cultural similarities between native African cultures and the original Hindu culture in Bharat. Those imprints carry on as well in our common love of color, boisterous celebration, and tendency to love food on the spicier side! There was also the exploration of what it means to be friends. Does being friendly indicate good friendship? No! Friendship means being vulnerable with each other – revealing the flaws as much as the strengths and being sure that you won’t be judged. Ant emphasized that having a genuine interest in the other’s story and the intent to form a solid bond are the foundations for good friendship. But how do we find interracial friends to form these bonds? Interest groups emerged as the clear answer because that is how Ant and I met – our common love of public speaking. 

See Also

The Cultural Appropriation of Holi and the Shameless Co-option of Ancient Indigenous Traditions

Ant’s presence was quite the stirring of the pot that all karyakartas thoroughly enjoyed. It reinforced our common humanity and proved the universalness of Sangha’s ideals. Ant wants to come back and here I was wondering what if he feels like a sore thumb sticking out! My friend walked in thinking he was going to have an interesting exotic experience and walked away with 30 new friends in just about an hour. The power of Sanatana Dharma became evident to me. It truly has no limits to who or what belongs to it. Each one is a reflection of the paramatman whether African, European, or Indian origin. And when you are in shakha you simply come home to that. 

Deepti Vijaykumar is a TEDx speaker, Triple Crown Toastmaster, children’s book author, and entrepreneur. She has a background in mechanical engineering with master’s degrees in marketing and business analytics. She lives in Columbus, Indiana, with her husband and toddler son. She is involved in community outreach programs through the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangha. She also mentors several professionals on their speaking and leadership skills through the non-profit organization Toastmasters International.