J.D. Vance and the Indian-American Dream
July 16, 2024
You may be surprised to learn that the wife of “hillbilly” J.D. Vance is the daughter of Indian immigrants. Usha Vance (née Chilukuri, a name with origins in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh) grew up in San Diego. The woman who could become second lady exemplifies the rise of an immigrant group that has prospered without quotas or affirmative action.
Indian-Americans have achieved a breathtaking amount in this country in a couple of generations. What’s impressive is both the range of their success and that they have succeeded entirely on their own steam. No ethnic or racial favors have come their way from schools, colleges or government. At least until the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, it was a disadvantage to be an Indian student applying to an Ivy League school.
