Dublin Core
Title
Oral History: Bikrum Singh Gill
Subject
Description
Bikrum Singh Gill is a Sikh, Punjabi professor at Virginia Tech who specializes in international relations. He teaches under the Department of Political Science, where he also searches on postcolonial theory, global governance, international relations and more, all around political ecologies. His interest in these topics began after reflecting on his family history in Punjab, as well as looking at how colonialism and capitalism impacted people in South Asia historically.
After coming to Virginia Tech, Gill and his family noticed a much smaller South Asian community compared to their previous living areas, as well as a virtually non-existent Sikh community. However, Gill and his wife said this situation has also contributed to them having closer ties with other South Asian faculty at Virginia Tech, and even with other local members of the Asian and Middle Eastern community around them.
Within Virginia Tech, Gill noted that a significant moment for him as a South Asian was when the Hokies Against Fascism asked him to speak at a rally opposing the targeting of Muslims in India.
“I found that to be nourishing, and then you do connect with people … you come together, and I think for me that was tapping into what I understand to be the best of our traditions, right around resisting oppression and so forth.”
Ultimately, he hopes to see a more diverse student body and faculty in the future, and even a more diverse curriculum that fills gaps about South Asian cultures at Virginia Tech.
After coming to Virginia Tech, Gill and his family noticed a much smaller South Asian community compared to their previous living areas, as well as a virtually non-existent Sikh community. However, Gill and his wife said this situation has also contributed to them having closer ties with other South Asian faculty at Virginia Tech, and even with other local members of the Asian and Middle Eastern community around them.
Within Virginia Tech, Gill noted that a significant moment for him as a South Asian was when the Hokies Against Fascism asked him to speak at a rally opposing the targeting of Muslims in India.
“I found that to be nourishing, and then you do connect with people … you come together, and I think for me that was tapping into what I understand to be the best of our traditions, right around resisting oppression and so forth.”
Ultimately, he hopes to see a more diverse student body and faculty in the future, and even a more diverse curriculum that fills gaps about South Asian cultures at Virginia Tech.
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Date
2018-present
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Type
Oral History
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Oral History Interview Item Type Metadata
Interviewee
Bikrum Singh Gill
Interviewer
Tahreem Alam
Duration
33.33