Racism, Discrimination & Gender

Stories of Origin is a new MR series of articles and interviews that explores the lived experiences of both returning and potential migrants and their families. In the concluding piece of a three-part series we address issues of recruitment and training. The deadly earthquake in Nepal and the large-scale loss of people, property and livelihood could mean greater vulnerability of the economically downtrodden. It has never been more critical than now for governments in both countries of origin and employment to clean up the migration cycle.

Neha Vora is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Lafayette College. Her research interests are focused on citizenship and belonging, South Asian diasporas, and migration in the Gulf region. In this interview, she talks about her study of Indian communities in Dubai and their negotiated connections with the city. She also discusses her ongoing project on identity formation and belonging in the experiences of students attending American branch campuses in the Gulf.

Iyad al-Baghdadi’s story of detention and displacement echos the UAE's sweeping constraints against free speech and discrimination against migrants.