photos by/ Annika Joy Cruz
NEVER HAVE I EVER... By Marium Abdulhussein
The hit Netflix series follows the life of Devi Vishwakumar, a first-generation Indian American, as she attempts to balance her Indian heritage and her American lifestyle. Devi struggles with many issues throughout the show, including the loss of a loved one, familial relationships, and trying to fit in at her high school. After decades of being underrepresented in the media, “Never Have I Ever” should be a breath of fresh air to South Asian Americans. Kaling is of South Asian descent herself, which made many people hopeful for an accurate and honest portrayal of a region that has often been the butt of the joke. The question is, did it miss the mark? Khushi Shinde, a first-year student at the University of Florida, was less than thrilled at the depiction of South Asian culture, especially by the portrayal of accents. Shinde felt it was mocking Indian culture. “To heavily include the accent for almost every adult seemed very unnecessary and out of pocket,” she said. 8 | FALL 2021
Shinde was also disappointed by the plot point surrounding a character’s arranged marriage. Shinde acknowledged that arranged marriages are a large part of Indian culture, some people prefer arranged marriages, while others choose their own spouse. However, arranged marriages are not black and white. Depending on familial values, a person may be able to choose their spouse and still have it considered an arranged marriage. Overall, the concept of an arranged marriage is an incredibly complex issue. The main problem with representing them in the media is that they are presented negatively so often that it is hard to portray them correctly without the negative connotation attached to them. In the first season of “Never Have I Ever,” Devi’s cousin Kamala is pushed into an arranged marriage with a man she’s never met. She struggles with the life she’s made for herself in California and the expectations her family has for her. Unlike other shows, Kamala chooses the path her family has set out for her. Once she meets Prashant, the man her parents have chosen for her, she gets along with him quite well. She begins to find a middle ground between her two spheres of influence, the east and the west. Amisha Patel, a second-year student at UF, shared a different opinion. “I think the show is a great representation for Indian or Desi American teens who feel the struggle of trying to balance being
models/ Keerthi Mula & Isabel Armedilla
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ctress and comedian Mindy Kaling has long been recognized for her hilarious and multi-faceted characters. “The Office” and “The Mindy Project” introduced the general public to her witty humor and her spunky characters. “Never Have I Ever” is the creator’s newest project, boasting a diverse cast and a spot on the big screen for South Asian Americans.
design by/ Mercy Tsay
…looked into the hit show “Never Have I Ever” and its attempt at South Asian representation
