Faithful Dissent: Hate Has No Home in Texas, with Chanda Parbhoo
When Chanda Parbhoo was a teenager in Tyler, Texas, a football coach counting students by race in the school gym had no category for her. “You’re just other,” he said. Decades later, she founded SAAVETX Education Fund to make sure South Asian Texans are seen, counted, and heard.
In this conversation, Chanda and George Mason talk about what being othered has looked like across 48 years in Texas, from the Iran hostage crisis to the political rhetoric aimed at South Asians today. She explains how five moms registering voters grew into a statewide network, why her team teaches civics in temples and mosques, and what it meant when an estimated 8,000 South Asian voters turned out for a Frisco mayoral runoff. Chanda also reflects on her Hindu faith as a sense of duty, the debate within her community over staying quiet or speaking up, and what assimilation should actually mean.
Chanda Parbhoo is the Founder and Executive Director of SAAVETX Education Fund, Texas’s largest South Asian civic engagement group. Born in apartheid-era South Africa, her early experiences with injustice shaped a lifelong commitment to equal representation. Through SAAVETX, she has mobilized hundreds of South Asians across Texas, helping build political power and ensure the community’s voice is heard where decisions are made.
Watch the video, here.
George (00:13):
Welcome to Good God, conversations that matter about faith and public life. I'm your host, George Mason, and we're continuing our podcast series called Faithful Dissent, focusing on individuals who have passionately gotten involved in community service and activism and advocacy in ways that are making a difference. And I'm delighted to welcome to Good God today, Chanda Parbhoo. Uh, she is the founder and executive director of SAAVETX. That's S-A-A-V-E-T-X. And it stands for?
Chanda (00:52):
The South Asian American Voter Empowerment of Texas Education Fund.
George (00:57):
Okay.Wonderful. Uh, Chanda, tell us how you got involved and why this is important to you to have founded this organization and to be, uh, engaged in this way now.
Chanda (01:09):
So I've lived in Texas now for 48 years and definitely have seen the growth. Yes. So I am a true Texan to begin with. Yes. Um, but I've seen the growth of our community and I've experienced, um, life in Texas over 48 years. And it's been very different. Um, when I saw how quickly our community was growing, I knew I had to step in after the 2016 election. So during the, the January of 2017, our community was very concerned that they didn't have a voice. And so a group of five moms got together and they're like, "We should register our folks." And we started registering our community and really quickly we started to learn that nobody had a place to talk about the experiences they were having. So every time we'd go to a voter registration, we started hearing the stories. And we knew we had to do a lot more than just be a voter registration group.
Chanda (02:02):
Um, then we put out a call on a Facebook page. We're like, "Other people around the state have got to be wanting to do this too." So the first post was literally, "Can 200 South Asians across Texas who want to organize like this page?" And in six weeks we had 6,000 people.
George (02:21):
6,000.
Chanda (02:21):
6,000 people in six weeks.
George (02:24):
Define for people South Asian.
Chanda (02:26):
South Asian is, um, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
George (02:31):
Okay. Alright.
Chanda (02:32):
And so we learned very quickly that nobody was paying attention to us. When I asked around like, "How can we organize? Do you have some resources?" Like, you know, I wanna plug into something. There was nothing to plug into. Yes. And so we were building this from scratch.
George (02:49):
So tell people about the experience in Texas of being South Asian. When you say our community, um, you know, I think that strikes some people who look like me perhaps as, um, saying, "Well, you have a, you have a community, don't we just all have a community?" But there are communities within communities, right? So when you talk about the South Asian community, what is it like for you and how have you seen that change in your nearly half a century of being in Texas?
Chanda (03:22):
So it looks very different today - Okay. Than it did 48 years ago. Yes. 48 years ago, we actually moved from Toronto, Canada To Tyler, Texas. Okay. And we were one of the only South Asian kids in our entire high school. Um, people didn't understand who we were. Um, I always tell this story because it kind of tells the storying of how we feel as othered. And so we were, they used to do the census in the gym and the football coach had all of us line up in the gym and says, "If you're, you know, if you're black, take one step forward. If you're Latino, take two steps backwards. If you're, um, if you're white, take, you know, one step forward." And everybody kind of had like a road to stand in. And then there I was standing by myself and, uh, they said, "So what are you?" I said, "I'm Indian." And they were like, "Well, we don't have a mark for red Indian." And I was like, "I'm not that kind of Indian." Like I, like Indians from India.
Chanda (04:18):
And they're like, "Oh, Indians from India." I was like, "So you were born in India?" I was like, "No, I was born in South Africa." <laugh> And they're like, "Other. We don't know what you are. You're just other." <laugh> And so, um, I feel like that's sort of the pivotal moment of that label Being who we were for such a long time because there were so few of us. Yes. And, um, fast forward, we moved to Dallas in, in 1980, late 79, 80, and kind of experienced, um, a lot of that othering as well. It was in the middle of the Iran hostage crisis. Oh yes, right. And back then, the news came on at six, 6: PM and that's it. But we knew that when the hostages were gonna be paraded across the TV, that we weren't gonna go to the grocery store.
Chanda (05:03):
We weren't gonna go to the mall. It was gonna be dangerous for us. And so people just assumed that because we were brown, that we were terrorist. And so, you know, it was, it was a very dangerous time for us. Um, it was probably the first time that we started to realize how we're gonna be categorized and not even being identified as who we were - Yes. Very few people knew who we were. Right. But this carries on throughout the story, and now we have one of the fastest growing minority populations in the state of Texas. And I just remember we would be so excited if we saw another South Asian at the grocery store and we would befriend a stranger. We saw them at a restaurant. We, we were all just one big family. And now our, our systems are so much more complex.
Chanda (05:49):
And then we have different religions. Before, it's like all the religions were coming together to do picnics together. Right. And now it's like there's, there's, everybody has religions and then separate religions within those religions. Right. So the Hindus have several. The Muslim community has several. The Christian community has several groups. And then - Sikh community. Yes. The Sikh community. And then we have separate cultural groups. So depending on what part of India you're from. Right. And so each one of those groups are now expanding and there might be like thousands of people in each group with different culture, different food, different celebrat- celebrations. So it's become very diverse and very complex.
George (06:31):
Yes. And the larger the numbers, the more differentiation you can have - Yes. Within, within. Uh, and, and when you're smaller, you just need each other - Yes. More. Yeah. And so, uh, so that's also, I think, one of the challenges of the whole American experience right now, isn't it? Yeah. Is that we've gotten so large and diverse. We find ourselves, uh, gaining security in smaller groupings of community, which is understandable because we wanna feel safe. We wanna feel like we belong. We want people who share our rituals and food and customs and dress and all those sorts of things. But it also makes it challenging, doesn't it, to have a sense of, uh, being Americans or being Texans together. Uh, and so when, when you look at the state of things in Texas right now for the South Asian community, uh, are you, are you mistaken for others, uh, or are you understood enough that you're still othered, uh, because of, of, of not maybe looking like me?
Chanda (07:49):
Yeah. I think there's a different othering that happens right now. Okay. Um, so one, there is this idea, like we know that anytime there is a terrorist attack anywhere in the world - Right. That we are somehow gonna be associated with it whether or not we like it or not. Yes. Even though I think the knowledge of what a, maybe what an Indian is and what a South Asian ism has become, um, a little, people are a little bit more educated about it, but there's a whole population that just looks at us and says that's a brown person. So we're categorized in, in, you know, with all the brown people. And then we had this race up there in, um, in Frisco, Texas. Right. And one of the candidates literally said, is like, "I didn't know there was a difference. I though they were all Muslims." And so just categorizing everybody.
Chanda (08:35):
And then I have another issue is that the East Asian community has been around for a long time and we're considered part of the Asian community. And oftentimes we're considered a monolith, even though each one of those countries within that AAPI community is so incredibly different - Right. And has so many different nuances that we kind of get lumped in. So there's a lot of othering going on in lots of different ways.
George (09:02):
So you mentioned earlier when you're talking about SAAVETX, that education is a big part of this. Yeah. So if, if you had a few bullet points to give people about, okay, here's what we really want you to know, what would those things be?
Chanda (09:18):
The education part was pivotal for us because people come here with, at, at different points in their lives. Yes. And so a lot of people didn't go to elementary school here, didn't go to high school here. Oftentimes it was, they're in their 30s or 40s. And so they kind of missed the civic engagement portion of it. And what we're trying to teach them is, um, is, is how the process works. Okay. And so we do civic classes and temples and mosque and cultural organizations and really teach them what each level of government, um, how it affects them. And, um, I think it's working <laugh> - Okay. Because we're holding, um, we're doing like visits into our state offices with mayors, with city councilmen, and people are starting to develop... I, I think it's how the constitution was made, and that is that when we have a problem, you should know who to contact and they should fix it.
Chanda (10:08):
And if you're not having a conversation, because we had continuously heard from elected officials, South Asians don't come. So we are teaching them how to write letters, how to show up in person - Right. And how to be actually engaged in the system.
George (10:22):
Wonderful. Yeah. So you come from the Hindu faith tradition. And I think that is one of the least understood, uh, religions in, uh, the United States and certainly in Texas. Uh, what are some of the things about your Hindu faith that are so important to you that drive you to public service in this way?
Chanda (10:47):
Um, so I'm gonna say that my experience with the Hindu faith is so different from the newer population. Okay. Because when I was growing up, we didn't have Hindu temples. Yes. And so it was a very personal experience And it was based on family table conversations. And it was celebrating within our home Behind closed doors. Ah, right. And so what we celebrated and how we experienced Hinduism was a very, very personal experience. And so now you're looking at where we are today, and we've got these huge structures. We have these huge congregations. We have institutions. And I haven't been a part of that. And so I go into these places and I'm experiencing something that is completely different from what I had experienced - Yes. Because it's not, it's not about my family anymore. It's more about an institution. And so it shaped me in a different way
Chanda (11:43):
Than what I grew up with. Right. But I think the, the Hindu faith is something that has also been misunderstood. Um, I remember, like, I was so excited that my kids actually had, like, a Hindu class to go to when they were growing up because I didn't really have that. It was just - Yeah. Teachings from home. But they went to an Episcopalian school, and I remember the, the preacher saying, you know, Hinduism has many gods, and she raises her hands, and she goes, "We're a monotheistic religion." And then he calls me up, he goes, "Your daughter said something that is against what the textbook is saying, and I just wanted to let you know in case you didn't know." And we had, like, a two, three hour conversation. Yeah. And he goes, "Oh, I'm gonna teach this class a little differently now." Okay. So we've come a long way <laugh> since when I was, like, growing up when nobody knew anything about our r eligion.
Chanda (12:32):
Right. But our, our ba - our faith is based on our duty. Okay. And I think that is what brings me to this space - Okay. Is that there is, um, a sense of duty That we have in this world to fulfill. And I feel like I've been drawn into that. Wasn't in politics before then, but there is something that draws me from my core. Yes. And I think we need to listen to that. And when you listen to it, it does take you to a path - Okay. That you, that you need to be on.
George (13:02):
So about that path, let's talk a little more about SAAVETX. Uh, we've done a webinar together and, uh, um, been trying to, uh, be involved with Faith Commons and, and, and SAAVETX. Uh, my partner, Nancy Caston, of course, Rabbi Caston has, has been involved with you all somewhat as well. And, uh, it, it really is, um, uh, an exercise in bringing people together of different religious perspectives as well, uh, but mostly, uh, South Asians. And then, but you've also now tried to, to get involved with people outside the community more, not just educating people inside the community. So what are some of the ways you've done that?
Chanda (13:47):
Yeah. This is, this is a time that we realized we can't be doing this on our own. Um, it kind of gave you that experience. Like I didn't grow up around South Asian kids at all until I got into college. And I wasn't really around a lot of South Asian folks until after I started the organization. And so, um, it was great to the point that I was like, "Oh, this is, this is my community. This is my village and we need to-" Yeah. But then I also need my village to be part of the bigger village. Yes. And so once we kind of got established and, you know, had our core programming done, and once we kind of got over the obstacles of what it means to be, um, because even though we've been doing this for almost 10 years, we were, we just became a nonprofit about four years ago.
Chanda (14:33):
Okay. So just kind of going across, uh, just getting through the hurdles of a new startup Um, we really wanted to be a part of the larger, broader network Of communities that we're organizing. And so we are reaching out to the black and brown communities. And, um, I think coming into the faith community, I noticed that we're not as present as we should be. So we are actively <laugh> looking of how to grow our presence in a space that we haven't been in. Great.
George (15:02):
Great. So if people wanna know more about SAAVETX - Uh,
Chanda (15:09):
It's S-A-A-V-E-T-X-E-F.
George (15:14):
E-F. Yes.
Chanda (15:14):
Education Foundation. https://saavetxeducationfund.org/ Okay.
George (15:16):
Terrific. Yes. Okay. That's good. And, um, so what are some of the misconceptions about South Asians that you would like people to understand and dispel so that we can get past some of the othering?
Chanda (15:29):
I don't know where to start. <laugh> We've made the headlines quite often, um, over the last couple of months here. Um, but first of all, we've been around for a long time. I think the first noted South Asian was here in 1675. And yeah. And then, um, we had, uh, a group of Sikh men that came to work in the agricultural fields. Uh-huh. And they run a large part of the California agricultural - Right. Um, industry and have been a part of that. And then it wasn't until 1965 in the Voting Rights Act and the Immigrant Rights, um, Right Act happened that we really started coming to this country. We arrived here in 1978, so I would say that was the first time that the door was opened. Okay. Um, for our community, the majority of our community that you see right now came in the 1990s.
Chanda (16:25):
In fact, some of the, some of the years during the 1990s is larger than some of the Ellis Island years. Wow. So, and most of that was within our community. And there's a small funnel that really allowed these people to come. So when you look at our community and kind of like developing a profile, a lot of us were only allowed in the country because we made a business investment or we had some skill that the country needed. And so in the 1990s, it was primarily around healthcare and it was around technology. Okay. So that was the funnel that bought us into this country. It was you already had to have an education And you had to have a certain skill. Yes. So, um, it was meeting the needs of the, what the country needed. And oftentimes, currently, we're being called invaders and taking away American jobs.
Chanda (17:17):
And, um, so those are some of the misconceptions, but it was really filling a gap that the country needed.
George (17:24):
So this would be the H1B1 visa Uh, which is about skills that America needs. And so what you're saying is at one time, uh, we recognized that we needed you. Welcomed you. Brought you in. Uh, you became American citizens. You lived and worked among us and thrived in, in your fields of fields that we especially wanted Uh, your help in. And now we consider you to be invaders. That's a pretty harsh, uh, turnaround. And what do you attribute it to?
Chanda (18:11):
Well, I think it's happening in Frisco, Texas, which is, um, if I look at the entire state of Texas Frisco has the largest concentration of South Asians. And so it's kind of like a WhatsApp strategy. Yeah. And it's like, what is a great place to live? And then if everybody goes, "Frisco, it's got really great schools and it's got great houses." It's just, you know, the, the power of WhatsApp is unbelievable, but that's kind of how that community grew. Mm. And it is, if, I don't know if you've ever been to Frisco, but I feel like I'm in little India <laugh> when I'm in Frisco. Yes. Um, so I think there's this idea that we are taking jobs, especially for people that maybe aren't in that skill level And finding that they're finding themselves to be out of a job and we need somebody to blame.
Chanda (19:00):
Yeah. And we easily become that person to blame. Um, we know that the politicians, um, can't talk about the border anymore, and we feel like we've become their political pawns. Ah. And so it's the H1Bs or it's about Sharia law. And so it's easy to blame somebody for something if you don't have a person or, or, or a topic or, you know, an issue to blame.
George (19:24):
Right. So there was a big, um, mayoral election in Frisco, and it could have gone either way. Happily, it went in the direction of inclusion and, uh, and welcome. How's it been going since?
Chanda (19:41):
I think it's been going really well. Okay. Um, I think it told us that hate has no home in Texas. Um, our community came out in record numbers. Okay. And normally for, uh, a mayoral runoff is maybe like three or 400 people. And, um, it's not exact because we don't have voting day, um, in the voter rolls right now. But just, uh, uh, it's, it's a guesstimate, but we think about 8,000 of us showed up. Wow. And so that's a huge jump. And I know it was a very personal, um, goal for every South Asian to get involved. And it also tells me that, um, I think there are some really loud voices in politics and often they take the narrative away and often it, it, it affects our, our community. Um, but there's good. Yeah. There's a lot of good people out there, so.
George (20:37):
Well, it's -
Chanda (20:38):
And both sides of the aisle. Yeah, yeah. 'Cause both of them were from the same party, so it really tells us that there is civility no matter which side of the aisle you're on. So I think that was really important.
George (20:49):
And, and yet sometimes it's interesting that it, it takes this kind of conflict to motivate people to really come out and be involved. It's easy when you're in an immigrant community, I think, to, to just hunker down and hide and try to be invisible because the more public, the more visible you are, the more you feel somewhat vulnerable to people's, uh, hate or, or just their, their attitudes, uh, toward you. And so if you can just kind of stay in your community and all of that, but, but when these things begin to get really public, uh, it motivates people to get involved. And do you think that this was a one-time thing or has it changed the South Asian community's sense of civic and, civic duty and involvement?
Chanda (21:39):
Yeah. I think there are pivotal moments where we just saw a rise in people getting like involved. I wanna know what I can do. And it's usually when something like this happens - Right. That people are like, "I'm scared. What can I become a part of?" Right. Um, and I'm really trying to teach our community that when things like this happen, you can't put your head down. And that's what we traditionally did whenever my dad was discriminated against for whatever reason in the, in business practices, he would just put his head down like these people were discriminating. I just have to find another avenue, just, you know, don't make a fuss about it. And so for, um, I think this Frisco City Council meetings were really starting to heat up like in February. We had our primary in March. We had a big voting celebration day advertising it, like come and get Hannah, you know, come and dress up and show, show your pride.
Chanda (22:29):
And we got a lot of texts and emails. It's like, you should be playing it low. Why are you bringing attention to us? Right. Like we just need to pretend like we're part of everything. Don't make this separate. Don't put any attention to us. And we kind of like, we didn't double down, but we did say, no, this is, like, this is our time to really lean in and let people know that we're here and that it is safe to vote and you should be proud to vote. So we had a pretty successful event and I think people were looking for, you know, I'm really stressed out. Like is this, you know, how is this gonna turn out? So.
George (23:05):
Right. I think what you're talking about is an important thing for us to consider, and that is that we, we don't have a uniform culture in this country. We don't have an official language. I think a lot of people assume that English is the official language and that everyone should learn English and everyone should assimilate in a sense. The question is assimilate to what, right? And I think most of the time what that means is assimilate to white Christian culture, right? Um, but a pluralistic democracy is stronger when we are able to identify, accept, and celebrate, uh, the distinctive traditions of different peoples who are our neighbors. And then that holds up a mirror to us about our, ourselves. But when we're trying to somehow enforce one culture on everyone, that sort of homogenization, uh, robs the culture of, the, the larger culture of a kind of richness, right?
George (24:20):
Like, you, you know, everybody doesn't love Indian food, but a lot of people would feel impoverished in their communities if we didn't have that option, right? Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Uh, and I think the same is true in lots of different, uh, traditions. So, but, but that's my argument. I, I'm not threatened, uh, on a day-to-day basis by people in other communities. And, and so I think it sounds like what you're saying is there's kind of an internal dispute about how best to survive in, in, in this culture.
Chanda (25:00):
Yeah. In fact, we got warnings Because there was a big celebration that happens this time of the year. It's called and people - Say that again. Ganesh Chaturthi. I'm probably - Oh my gosh. Yeah. <laugh> It's, um, it's a celebration of Lord Ganesh. And, you know, there were, like, warnings, like, don't make a procession in your street. Don't make a big deal about it. I see. Just keep it quiet to yourself. Okay. Because the right wing, um, the, there were some influencers who had gotten a hold of, you know, had learned about the holiday. I'm just glad that they learned about Ganesh Chaturthi. Okay. Um, but that was, like, a year ago and it became a big issue and these people are, like, chanting in the streets and they're making a noise outside their house. And you should be quieter. And so there was a dispute within the Indian community, like, you know, we should be able to celebrate in our homes and, um, you know, on our streets if we wanted to.
Chanda (25:57):
And other ones are like, "No, you need to be quiet." So I think there is this bit of survival instinct - Yes. About what you can and cannot do. Um, and when we're talking about assimilation, it's like, I wanna understand what that means, because I was like, back in the day, it was like, you, you know, do you speak English? They had this idea that immigrants didn't speak English. And when you talk to adults that were even older than me, they said coming into this country, they were always thought of less than. Yes. They were, they weren't as smart. They didn't speak English. They didn't deserve the promotion. They'll never get the promotion. And so I, I felt a little bit of that as well. It's like, how are we gonna advance because you thought that you were always being a second class citizen.
Chanda (26:44):
Um, but what does it mean today is very different. Like what does assimilation look like? 'Cause we're 95% English proficient. Yes. And so we do speak the language, but we also speak maybe three other languages. <laugh> Yes. And so what does, what, what are people asking us to assimilate to is kind of the question I'm trying to answer for our community. Right. Right. Yeah.
George (27:08):
And I think a place to start would be, uh, constitutional America. You know, what does the Declaration of Independence say? What does our Constitution say? Yeah. And assimilation is really about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Yeah. Pursuit of, um, uh, of, uh, a, a common good. Yeah. And, uh, and this is, you know, we, we don't ask you to show your religion or your, you know, uh, y- y- your racial identity card - Yeah. In order to be, uh, a full participant in democracy. Yeah. Um, but at the same time, I can't name m- many Hindu Americans who are in public office. Is that a growing challenge for you, uh, is representation?
Chanda (27:56):
Yeah. Yeah. Um, so we have more in the Houston area. Okay. Um, and it's been a little bit more of an established community. And so I've got quite a few elected officials who are Hindu. Um, we have, we have our first two Muslim, uh, state representatives currently in Texas and we're probably slated to get our first Hindu - Okay. In the state house next year. Okay. So I think we're, I think that's about to happen. Um, we do have a couple of Hindus running for office currently. Okay. And, but that's kind of one of the goals that we have is to make sure that there are people on the ballot that look like us in districts where we have a large concentration like, you know, the Frisco area. Right. And so we do do trainings. I think we trained about 20 people this year.
Chanda (28:43):
Um, and just kind of planning out like a, you know, a three, five, 10-year plan for some of these people - Okay. Of when we can get them into office and when, when the timing is good.
George (28:54):
They, they say you, you can't be what you can't see, right? Yeah. And so if you have people who are in positions of leadership and modeling what it means to be a Hindu, uh, American politician, uh, or, uh, you know, a South Asian, um, politician, that encourages the next generation, doesn't it?
Chanda (29:13):
Yeah. Yeah. And we, we, we trained a bunch of young folks. I'm very excited about that.
George (29:18):
Yay. Good, good. Yeah. Well, uh, what else would you like people to know about SAAVETX or about your experience? Uh, because I, I think, you know, there's, there's the question of education - Yeah. That's always helpful. Um, but also, you know, the, the, the plea for people to be, uh, friends and advocates, right? Uh, that we would stand to- together. And what does it mean to you when people do that?
Chanda (29:53):
It means the world to us. And like I said, especially with everything that's happening around us. Right. We've learned that coalition building is gonna be, like, a pivotal moment for us, like, right now. Yes. But as soon as we get done with the election - Yes. There is... In fact, we were gonna start that last year, but then we kinda got caught up with the whole, um, executive... Executive actions, which was affecting our community directly. So it kind of made us pivot a little bit. But I think going into 2027, partnership development is really gonna be a big thing. And we've already started a little bit of that and working with partnerships and, and growing because we can't, we can't do this alone.
George (30:30):
Do you have concerns about the election this year?
Chanda (30:33):
We do. So we were in a couple of calls over the last couple of months. I think in general, Texas is going to be under a lot of scrutiny and we're already hearing that there will be trouble at the polls, um, especially in places where our community is. And so we are currently working on voter protection. We're asking people to sign up, um, to do three hour shifts between early voting and election day. Okay. And just making sure that all the, you know, there's a checklist of things that need to be present for any election to be secure. So - Great. We're very concerned.
George (31:10):
Well, we'll be working and praying to that end - Yes. That they are secure and not just secure for a day, but that your community is secure - Thank you. In, uh, in our state and in our country. Chanda, thank you so much for being with us on Good God and for sharing some of this experience with us.
Chanda (31:29):
Yes, thank you for having me. Well - Really had a great time. Well,
George (31:31):
You're welcome. Uh, thank you for joining us for Good God, and until next time, keep the faith.