Minhaj Khaled was born in Jamaica, Queens on August 29, 1991 to Syed Khaled, his father, and Nazmun Khaled, his mother. When he emerged from the womb that day, his parents found out that he was and always will be legally blind. But his handicap has not prevented him from leading an ambitious life with a charisma that I had not seen in any one person until I had met Minhaj.
Minhaj, having lived in Jamaica, Queens until only recently, feels more like an American than anything else. His parents are Bengali, and had an arranged marriage yet he feels no compulsion to follow in the traditions that his parents were forced to abide by. He indicates that his mother was not happy with the marriage at first, saying that she was more liberal in her views on marriage than his conservative father. He continues by saying that even though his parents have grown to enjoy each other’s company, they have not at any point been in love. Minhaj uses this as evidence that there are drawbacks to tradition, and feels as if his parents’ experience has driven him not towards tradition, but away from it. Perhaps this is why he has so readily embraced the American Way.
When I asked Minhaj about his childhood, he did not have much to say on the subject. He grew up in a Bengali-ethnic enclave in Jamaica, Queens. He enjoyed his childhood but felt at times neglected by his schooling. He says that the public schools around where he grew up were absurdly underfunded, citing the fact that his elementary school used the same room for his cafeteria, gym, and auditorium as proof of this underfunding.
He says that the public schools around where he grew up were absurdly underfunded, citing the fact that his elementary school used the same room for his cafeteria, gym, and auditorium as proof of this underfunding.
Minhaj has been working since he was fourteen and has picked up some hobbies despite his handicap. He says that the abundance of diversity in Queens, especially in Jamaica, Queens, has instilled within him an understanding of various cultures and also, the ability to imitate these cultures through different caricatures he has come up with. This is why he is now interested in both acting and voiceover work. Yet despite dreams of the big time, he has no delusions when it comes to reality and has pursued a degree in Sociology with the intent of one day becoming a speech pathologist.
Yet despite dreams of the big time, he has no delusions when it comes to reality and has pursued a degree in Sociology with the intent of one day becoming a speech pathologist.
Minhaj loves New York City. He acknowledges that New York is sometimes overwhelming, but he also acknowledges that it is one of the only places where people’s aspirations can be realized. He feels as if his life so far has been a success but does not mention his handicap as a factor in what his success is defined as. In fact, the only time he mentioned his handicap was when I asked about it. Perhaps he has forgotten about it, or lost it in his own ambition.
Take a look at his youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD_zwMrat51Q4xolP_GLMdQ
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