Welcome to my web site
I am a writer, editor, and college professor.
My professional journey began in the early 1980s when I left my home in Muncie, Indiana to study journalism at Northwestern University. Since then, I have lived in Chicago, Boise, Washington DC, Belleville IL, Fort Worth TX, Wilkes-Barre, PA, Kansas City, Seattle, Honolulu, and once again in Seattle. A professor position brought me to SUNY-Empire State College in 2010, and I currently call Saratoga Springs NY, home.My homes scattered all over the United States have given me a deep love and appreciation for the nuances and diversity of American life. At times, I have fought being American; at other times, I have embraced it. Today, I see my American wanderings as a part and parcel of who I am. I am the daughter of immigrants from India. I am apart from and a part of America.
I am currently completing a book on the experience of growing up Indian in Indiana, tentatively titled Muncie, India(na). I also am working on a book that explore the history of hip-hop in Seattle, and the women artists (the b-girls) who are making the Seattle scene sing. You can read more about these projects by exploring the links on this site to Immigrant Narratives and Hip-Hop America and "Hip-Hop America".
My writings on the immigrant experience, hip-hop as a political and cultural movement, and many other topics reflect the dance of contradictory impulse that I do daily. The classes I teach in contemporary American history, politics, culture, and non-fiction writing invite you to do the same.
Recently, I traveled to San Antonio, Texas, to take part in a roundtable
on Feminist Methods in Teaching Philosophy and Practice with colleagues from
Hawai'i, Texas, Seattle, and Victoria, BC, at the Western Political Science
Association's annual meeting. Earlier in April, I was in Newark, New Jersey,
for two days of reflection and thought on the uses of hip-hop in education.
Our talks included college professors, youth outreach specialists, community
organizers, and many hip-hop artists, including the legendary DJ Kool Herc.
I travel extensively and I am happy to work with you to arrange a reading, a talk, a workshop, a class, or some other activity in your area. Please feel free to contact me at my e-mail address, Himanee.Gupta-Carlson@esc.edu, or by telephone at 518-587-2100, ext. 2860.