My name is Ritika, and I am a 33-year-old former elementary school
teacher and first-generation Indian American. Writing has always
been my creative outlet, and I am deeply passionate about equity,
inclusion, and anti-bias/anti-racism in books and education. I hope
Rotten Roti inspires young readers to celebrate their identities with
pride, replacing any feelings of shame or comparison with
joy and self-acceptance.
A school cafeteria is a breeding ground for anxiety and embarrassment - especially for first generation immigrants. Whether it be the smell, the look, or the oddity of a meal - most immigrants have felt a moment of unease around their cultural food
