The hypervisibility/invisibility paradox of the South Asian-Indian community and the impact of colorism on a post-colonial South Asian-American community

This paper synthesizes the current literature on dominant, erasive narratives, the hypervisibility of Indian doctors and the invisibility of Indian patients, establishes colorism as an undertheorized mechanism of South Asian healthcare disparities and reports on the post-colonial impacts of colorism. South Asian is defined as individuals with ancestry from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives; in this paper, special focus is placed on South Asian-Indians. Contributing to an evidence base rooted in experiences of historically excluded populations can improve culturally sensitive care and healthcare outcomes impacted by colorism and can provide an empowering, transformative educational resource.