Sepia Mutiny, South Asian America’s Front Page
From 2004 to 2012, one internet forum shaped the community’s conversations like never before. And this is its story.
On July 28, 2007, writer Anna John posed the question, “Whoa, is dating white not right?,” unpacking colorism among South Asian Americans in 1,500 words. “I’m opening a safe space for exploration, if you are so inclined,” wrote John.
Many were. The blog post drew over 1,300 comments, no small feat in the nascent blogosphere years. Netizens detailed their trials and tribulations, musing over theories of social exclusion and veering off on tangents. “After moving out to New York, I realized — damn, there are fine men in every size, shape, color and creed,” wrote one user.
Where, might you ask, did such musings proliferate? Sepia Mutiny. Let’s run it back to 2004. Picture a simple website with a brown background, old paper texture, and a navigation bar with the tabs: blog, mutineers, FAQ, send tips, and contact. During its eight-year run, Sepia Mutiny became the mouthpiece of South Asian Americans, shaping conversations and discourse.