Asians Around Appalachia: Siddharth Rathinam
- aaajournal25
- Aug 19
- 1 min read
Siddharth Rathinam is an Indian-American high school junior from Morgantown, West Virginia. He is a startup and club founder, including the DECA team at his school along with other business ventures. Rathinam is also a daytrader. A few of his hobbies include going to the gym and MMA.
Interview
Have you ever felt out of place due to your identity? If so, where did you find a sense of community?
I have rarely felt out of place, as I make a conscious effort to engage meaningfully with those around me and to approach every circumstance as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Can you tell us about one of your stories related to being an AppalAsian? (e.g. household traditions, bullying/harassment, family business, etc.)
I have encountered instances of harassment and racial stereotyping, including within educational environments, primarily from individuals over forty. Rather than allowing these experiences to define me, I view them as evidence of how deeply misunderstanding and bias can persist even in places intended to foster growth.
What is one Appalachian / Asian American related policy issue that’s important to you and why? (e.g. lack of representation, barriers to education/healthcare, economic inequality, etc.)
A critical issue to me is the lack of representation for Asian Americans in Appalachian decision making and public discourse. When communities are not seen or heard, their unique experiences are overlooked in shaping education, healthcare, and economic policy. Greater visibility would ensure that policies reflect the full diversity of the region rather than a narrow set of voices.
What is one piece of advice you would give to AppalAsians struggling to fit in?
Just be yourself.
