Book Cover
E-book
Author Dhingra, Pawan, author

Title Life behind the lobby : Indian American motel owners and the American dream / Pawan Dhingra
Published Stanford, California : Stanford University Press, ©2012

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Description 1 online resource
Contents Building the diaspora -- Reaching for the American dream -- Business hardships and immigrant realities -- Professional appearances and backstage hierarchies -- The possibility of belonging
Summary Annotation Indian Americans own about half of all the motels in the United States. Even more remarkable, most of these motel owners come from the same region in India andalthough they are not all relatedseventy percent of them share the surname of Patel. Most of these motel owners arrived in the United States with few resources and, broadly speaking, they are self-employed, self-sufficient immigrants who have become successfulthey live the American dream. However, framing this group as embodying the American dream has profound implications. It perpetuates the idea of American exceptionalismthat this nation creates opportunities for newcomers unattainable elsewhereand also downplays the inequalities of race, gender, culture, and globalization immigrants continue to face. Despite their dominance in the motel industry, Indian American moteliers are concentrated in lower- and mid-budget markets. Life Behind the Lobbyexplains Indian Americans' simultaneous accomplishments and marginalization and takes a close look at their own role in sustaining that duality
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Print version record
Subject East Indian American businesspeople.
Motels -- United States
East Indian Americans -- Social conditions
East Indian Americans -- Economic conditions
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS -- Small Business.
East Indian American businesspeople
East Indian Americans -- Social conditions
Motels
United States
Form Electronic book
ISBN 0804782024
9780804782029
0804778825
9780804778824