PAKI
Growing up as a South Asian immigrant in New York City, I encountered derogatory terms such as “terrorist,” “Osama,” “rag-head,” and, notably, “Paki.” When introducing myself to individuals of different ethnicities, I often shared my Pakistani background, only to find that they frequently mispronounced it as “Packistand,” ‘d’ being silent.
Since the 4th grade, kids have routinely abbreviated the term “Pakistani” to “Paki.” Unaware of the derogatory undertones at the time, I adopted this shortened version as a convenient means of self-identification, sparing myself the effort of saying the full name. Consequently, I began referring to myself as “Paki.”
Upon entering college and delving into the study of Colonialism and South Asian history, it came as no surprise that I eventually recognized the term “Paki” as a derogatory slur aimed at demeaning the South Asian community. What I had initially considered an innocuous term turned out to be a means of targeting immigrants from various Asian countries. Anyone identifying themselves as Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, or simply passing by with brown skin would be unfairly labeled as “Paki.”
The term “Paki” originated in the United Kingdom, with its first recorded use dating back to 1964. For South Asian immigrants, starting a new life in a foreign country posed numerous challenges beyond the struggle to secure employment and provide for their families. Faced with a surplus of immigrants, far-right radicals opposed the idea of individuals with brown skin supposedly taking jobs from the local population. This opposition manifested in targeted hostility and the promotion of hate within the community. The term “Paki-Bashing” emerged to describe instances of racial discrimination, encompassing verbal harassment and violent attacks directed at the brown community. These actions were actively encouraged by radical conservatives, fostering an atmosphere where individuals from the brown community were not only physically harmed but also faced reluctance from authorities to address their pleas for help. Some authorities even played a role in downplaying the severity of the situation, further contributing to the discrimination and hatred directed at the targeted group.
Following the events of 9/11, the animosity towards the South Asian community escalated in the United States. There were heightened reasons to harbor disdain for individuals from South Asia, particularly those who identified as Muslim. Consequently, being brown was no longer simply associated with being a “Paki”; it now automatically labeled individuals as a “Muslim-Paki,” carrying the additional and unjust connotation of being a terrorist. This broad generalization extended indiscriminately, regardless of one’s actual religious or cultural background. Whether one was Indian and worshiped Ram, a Sikh, or from Afghanistan, the pervasive stereotype persisted, reinforcing prejudiced perceptions that associated individuals with terrorism solely based on their South Asian heritage
Today, the term “Paki” is being reclaimed by some members of the youth, whether in America or the U.K., akin to the way the “N” word has been embraced by African Americans. However, there are differing opinions on this matter, with some, including myself, opposing the idea of reclaiming a term historically used by colonizers to oppress us. The argument stands that we shouldn’t feel compelled to adopt a word that doesn’t belong to us. Personally, I find the term “Pakistani” more empowering than the label “Paki.” The name “Pakistan” itself carries a profound significance, with “Pak” being an Urdu term for “purity” and “stan” meaning “Land.” Thus, Pakistan translates to the Land of Purity, a designation that holds more beauty and strength than the derogatory term “Paki,” which has been historically used to belittle individuals of South Asian descent.
Paki wasn’t coined for lazy people who didn’t have time to say Pakistan, it was coined to hurt, mock, and belittle the brown community. You’re different, you’re brown, you’re an immigrant that people didn’t want you to come to a western country to start a new life. They hated us because they oppressed us, and now we’re free.
The term “Paki” wasn’t created for the sake of convenience; instead, it was crafted with the intent to inflict harm, mockery, and belittlement upon the brown community. Its origin lies in a history of disdain toward those who were perceived as different — brown individuals, immigrants seeking to start anew in Western countries. The hostility stemmed from a deep-seated aversion toward those who were once oppressed. Now, as members of the brown community, we stand free, liberated from the shackles of oppression and determined to reject a term that was designed to devalue our identity and experiences.
