Module 2: Bangladeshi Americans and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War
Has the political history of their homeland shaped Bangladeshi American visibility, identities, and community formation?
Image 07.02.01 — A map of South Asia, with Bangladesh between India and Myanmar.
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March 26 marks Bangladesh’s Independence Day. On this day in 2023, Subaita Mahmud, a student at Springfield High School in Virginia, spoke about what the day means to her. “My life’s path was made possible by Bangladesh’s independence. Without it, none of my experiences would have been the same. My grandparents were able to work and have fulfilled lives after Bangladesh gained its freedom. My parents were eventually permitted to immigrate, and I was provided the privilege to be American. Without it, I would also have a complete change in identity. My heritage would originate from ‘East Pakistan,’ and many aspects of my culture including the language, artwork, cuisine, clothes, family, and religion would be different.” 1
Bangladesh’s independence was a result of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, a significant historical event for both Bangladesh and its American allies. Memories and narratives of the war help connect the meaning of this war and Bangladesh Independence Day to the younger generations, who face challenges of invisibility as they navigate their identity as Bangladeshi Americans.
This module is about the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and how its legacy continues to affect the lives of Bangladeshi Americans.
What is the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War?
To what extent do Bangladeshi Americans remember the 1971 Liberation War?
How does feeling invisible affect the Bangladeshi American experience?
