Project Statement
The Bangladeshi diaspora, scattered across the globe, has emerged as a formidable force in shaping Bangladeshi economics and politics. With an estimated 7.4 million Bangladesh-born individuals living outside of the country, more than 213,372 live in the USA and an estimated 11,798 in the Washington DC Metro area. Their influence extends far beyond their physical boundaries. For this project, I spent time with the Bangladeshi community in the Washington Metropolitan area and have seen how they play a significant role in shaping the country's economic development and politics. In July this year, they had a great influence on the recent successful uprising in Bangladesh, which led Bangladesh’s long-run authoritarian prime minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country on August 5th. Their engagement like stopping sending remittances, making public awareness by writing articles on news outlets and making content on social media, making artwork, showing solidarity on the street, and fundraising for those who fought to bring back democracy in Bangladesh.
