Generation DeZi: Recent Episodes
Poorvi Gorripati & Rishika Chandrupatla
Hey everyone! Welcome to Generation DeZi! We’re your hosts, Rishika and Poorvi, two college sophomores from Los Angeles. In this podcast we’ll be discussing popular topics and current events from the eyes of two first-generation Desi Americans. Our topics will range from societal issues like racism and sexism, to growing up in an immigrant family, and navigating the ups and downs of being a Desi American in the 21st century. Follow our Instagram @Generationdezi__ for updates and more information!
In Episode 15 we discuss the ethicality of wildlife parks and how keeping animals in captivity can be destructive to their nature.
In Episode 14 we discuss our thoughts on the 2020 presidential election, from highlighting the importance of mail-in ballots to addressing COVID-19 and President Biden's future policies.
In Episode 13 we talk about the effect consumerism has on our day-to-day lives, and how fast fashion in the clothing industry takes a toll on the environment. We also discuss the rise of thrifting and sustainable brands and how they can be prospective solutions to this issue.
In Episode 12 we talk about the issue of deforestation in regards to the meat industry, and the disastrous effects this has on the environment as well as its overall impact on climate change. We also discuss the growing movements of veganism and vegetarianism as potential solutions for reducing our overall carbon footprint.
In Episode 11, we discuss childhood examples that perpetuate the stigma of what a female should be in society and how they have a negative influence on young girls growing up.
In Episode 10 we talk about the impacts of self-isolation and remote learning during COVID-19 and the effects we face mentally and academically as a result.
In Episode 9 we discuss various examples of South Asian representation in popular television series, shows, and movies, and how even though some have led to increased portrayals of Indian people in media, others have served to further perpetuate the stereotypes surrounding Indian people.
In Episode 8, we had the pleasure of discussing the various aspects in which women face sexism in Desi culture and the misconceptions surrounding feminism in the 21st century with Kavita Rai, a teen advisor for the national organization Girl Up and a sophomore at USC majoring in public policy and law. We also talk about the consequence of toxic masculinity and internalized misogyny on both men and women in today's society.
In Episode 7 we discuss the issues with cancel culture in the 21st century, and the heavy influence social media has on this cultural phenomenon. We talk about how society as a whole views and enforces this concept and how our perception of history is being affected by modern events.
In Episode 6 we discuss another aspect of modern beauty standards--body image and diet culture. We go over the problematic views that are posed by and perpetuated in media and how idealized health and beauty standards should not determine one's self-worth.
As a follow up to our very first episode, in Episode 5 we interview Riyaz, a senior at USC, about his personal experiences of growing up mixed race and how both his Muslim-Indian culture and white background made him into the person he is today.
In Episode 4 we dive into the unrealistic world of beauty standards, and in particular, the problematic issues of colorism and Eurocentrism and the influence they have on both the Indian population and people of color in general.
In Episode 3 we go over the stigma surrounding mental health issues in Desi households with In This Together, a nonprofit based in New Jersey that strives to alleviate stress and raise awareness regarding mental health issues in adolescents. We discuss how mental illnesses can often go unchecked due to the lack of attention brought to them by family members who don’t understand what they are. We also talk about the increase in mental health issues in people as a result of the rise of COVID-19 and being in quarantine, and how we can address this problem by finding new ways to keep ourselves motivated and occupied during this difficult and trying time.
In Episode 2 we talk about how we dealt with the experience of choosing our careers while living in Indian households and the importance of developing your passion into your career.
In Episode 1 we discuss the experience of growing up as Indian Americans and how we dealt with the struggles of fitting in and forming an identity while being torn between two different cultures. We talk about societal pressures and how having mixed feelings about our race and ethnic background at a young age fed into the development of our individual personas.