Meet the Staff: Sneha Goud

Sneha Goud is a recent graduate from Michigan State University. She was a business major and currently works for a large consulting firm, but still takes time to expand her interests in writing. Another passion of Sneha’s includes feminism.

“As I got older, I realized most young, modern feminists focus more on white, upper-middle class women and the issues they face.  I have a different perspective on women’s issues because I come from a more conservative background,” said Sneha.

Mainly, Sneha found that women who are involved in feminist issues in academia and the media are often white and with means because they have historically been people with time and education to be involved such issues.

“But as the immigrant populations grows in the US, and especially as the children of immigrants come of age, they have the experience of two different cultures and view women through two views,” said Sneha.

Sneha finds that her view on feminism is also impacted by her cultural backgrounds. For example, she has seen how Indian women are often stereotyped in Western media as forced into arranged marriages with backward views of education and relationships.  Which we all know is far from the truth.

“It is true that relationships are viewed differently, but I believe Indian women are encouraged to perform academically at the same level as men.  And America hasn’t had an female president or as many female representatives in government as India has,” said Sneha.

Sneha enjoys writing about different standards of beauty in the Indian community, as well as breaking Western stereotypes of Indian women.  Sneha has a feature called “Famous Brown Girl” on her personal blog, which highlights Indian women making a difference all over the world. You can check out her blog at http://thatbrowngirl.wordpress.com/.