Ferguson from the perspective of a South Asian American

The shooting of unarmed 18-year old Michael Brown on August 9^th has brought to the surface America’s deep-rooted racial tensions. After officer Darren Wilson shot Brown six times during an altercation over jaywalking and an alleged theft, waves of outrage erupted across the country. Eyewitnesses said that Brown had his hands up and was killed while he was trying to surrender. The next day, citizens of Ferguson, Missouri began publicly protesting Brown’s unjust death. A few weeks later, they are continuing to speak out against this travesty. Communities throughout the nation are demonstrating their support of Ferguson through marches and demonstrations. As protestors carry signs that say, “Black Lives Matter” and “Hands up, Don’t Shoot,” they are calling for America to acknowledge and put an end to the discriminatory police practices targeting Black men. Civil rights activists are encouraging Americans to use this incident as an opportunity to being a long overdue conversation about race. As a South Asian American, I feel a personal connection to Ferguson. Although I’m not Black, I understand that I nonetheless play a role in America’s discussion about race. In spite of living in the “land of the free and the home of the brave,” people of color continue to struggle for equal rights and justice in the present day.

Following Brown’s shooting, I saw a social media post discussing the racist stereotypes that are prevalent throughout our society. It said, “Black Crime=Gang Violence, Arab Crime=Terrorism, Hispanic Crime=Illegal Immigration, White Crime=No crime, he was just insane.” As uncomfortable as it may be for our nation to acknowledge the pervasiveness of these labels, we must do so if we intend to progress. In fact, these deeply ingrained biases are what lead many police officers to unfairly target Black and Brown people. Take the heightened racial profiling following 9/11. A notable example of this form of police brutality is the case of Sergeant Lateef Al-Saraji of the US Army. He filed a lawsuit against the Dallas Police Department who assaulted him in front of his wife and friends at a Middle Eastern Restaurant. Two officers referred to him as a “terrorist in uniform” and beat him until he was unconscious. He was arrested without a warrant until he was eventually released. John Gibson, the lead attorney in this case, stated that there was no reason for either of the two officers to believe he committed an offense in their presence (The Arab American News, 2010). Sadly, this incident is only one of many where people of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent have been unfairly targeted.

As for police brutality affecting the Black community, there are countless instances pointing to the presence of institutionalized racism. Oscar Grant, Sean Bell, Ramarley Graham, Trayvon Martin, and too many others have been unfairly targeted. There is no question that harmful stereotypes of Black men as “thugs” and “criminals” fuel these killings. Brown’s shooting is yet another example of prejudice influencing police operations. In the discussion surrounding Brown’s death, various media sources have zoomed in on the “stolen” cigars while others have paid extra attention to the fact that he was a high school graduate on track to college. The fact of the matter is that Brown’s character is irrelevant in this case. His life isn’t valuable because of his report card---it is valuable because he was a human being. Even if he did steal the cigars, theft does not warrant death. An unarmed Brown did not deserve to be gunned down six times in the middle of the street.

Communities of color must demonstrate their solidarity with one another in the face of racism. Although we are all affected differently, we are all affected nonetheless. We are all human beings, none of whom deserve to be stereotyped and denied opportunities because of the color of our skin. I am aware that the media is quick to label Asians in general as “submissive,” “non-controversial,” and “obedient.” I encourage other South Asian Americans to challenge this mindset and to join the fight against discriminatory police practices. It is crucial that, at this moment, we join the Black community in seeking justice for Brown. Unity is power, and it is vital that Black and Brown communities unite to end systemic racism.

 

Let's Bring Back Our Girls!

  I am delighted that my efforts to bring attention to the situation in Nigeria are receiving so much support. In addition to the various media outlets which have reached out to me, I am thrilled that Amy Poehler's "Smart Girls" is on board for the event. Although I wish I could do more for the girls, it is my hope that the rally and my blog posts can at least serve as a source of support and encouragement for their families. The more of us that speak out against this humanitarian crisis, the more pressure it puts on Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan to take further action. While I am aware that he has established a "presidential committee" and is seeking assistance from American and British officials, I sincerely hope that it isn't too late to locate the girls. Since sex trafficking moves so quickly, it is essential that the girls are rescued before they are sold into the neighboring countries of Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. Satellites indicate that as of now, the girls are in the Ashaka forest in the Gombe region of Nigeria (Sahara Reporters, 2014).
  I hope that this atrocity serves as a wake-up call for the international community. How much longer can we live in a world where women's lives are devalued? How can we continue to turn a blind eye when children of color and youth in developing countries struggle? If anything, the Chibok abduction should completely change the manner in which we approach such situations in the future. Findings by Amnesty International indicate that the Nigerian government was aware of the attack by Boko Haram on the girls' school. In spite of having received warnings regarding attacks in Chibok, there were no troops deployed to the area. Although the government insisted that it responded with armed forces, helicopters, and airplanes after the abduction, a father of two missing girls said there were hardly any signs of military help (CNN, 2014). The fact that no preemptive action was taken to protect these girls is truly deplorable. Let's hope that the recently employed rescue efforts return the girls home safely.
   I am glad that news stations and media sources around the world are finally actively covering the Chibok abduction. Although it is disappointing that it took so long, I am pleased to see the situation making multiple headlines. It is imperative that we stay up to date with global humanitarian crises. An attack on any group of people is an attack on humanity, and it is vital that we raise awareness about any such injustice.  These girls were simply trying to attain an education and make a better life for themselves. I see myself in these girls---we are fairly close in age and have dreams and aspirations for ourselves. I cannot fathom the torture, violence, and degradation they have experienced. When I try to put myself in their shoes, my stomach churns. No human being should have to endure what these girls have. They must be brought back home so they can lead the bright, promising lives they were meant to lead.
    I understand that there are some people who feel that the hashtags won't bring the girls back (The Guardian, 2014). While I do agree that we unfortunately can't do much to directly help, I believe that  raising awareness goes a long way in tackling social problems. The social media posts and rallies serve as an avenue for the world to come together and speak out against this abomination. It was the protests by Nigerian parents and embassy rallies throughout the past 10 days which have pushed President Jonathan to take action. Not to mention, the public demonstrations reassure the families that the world cares about the plight of their daughters, granddaughters, nieces, sisters, and friends. I hope that Austin's #BringBackOurGirls rally will serve as another force in motivating the Nigerian government, and the world for that matter, to pool its resources for the girls. To the Chibok girls: we are praying for your safe return and will continue to advocate for you.

The Kidnapped Chibok Girls And Their Plight: Why Isn't The World Doing More for Them?

        When I first read about the kidnapping of the 234 girls from the Chibok community in northeastern Nigeria, my stomach churned. These teen-aged girls were completing their final exams on April 15 when Boko Haram militants captured them and set their school on fire. The girls were then taken to a terrorist camp where they likely endured a great deal of physical and sexual violence. While some managed to escape, a few others reportedly died of snake bites, and the rest are being sold into forced marriages (The New Yorker, 2014). As of yesterday, sources stated that additional girls were captured and sold as sex slaves to Islamic militants, putting the total number of abducted girls at 276. These poor girls had no idea that a regular school day would turn into a terrible nightmare.
       I have experienced a myriad of emotions regarding this story throughout the past couple of weeks. First, I am in utter disbelief that this incident is not receiving adequate attention. While there are articles here and there reporting on the abducted girls, this issue is not making headlines the way it should. Take the recent Malaysian Airlines plane crash, for instance. The crash made multiple headlines, appeared on front pages, and was broadcast continually throughout international media segments. So much global attention was put toward the rescue of the deceased passengers. The Chibok Abduction, on the other hand, first appeared on the American nightly news on May 1, more than two weeks after the girls were taken (Time, 2014). NBC and CBS aired brief segments pertaining to this incident a few days ago.
     As soon as I heard about the #BringBackOurGirls Facebook campaign, I liked the page. I saw a photo of a young Caucasian child sleeping with a a quote above her, "If 230 White children were kidnapped by terrorists two weeks ago, they would be home safely in their beds by now." As awful as it feels to acknowledge it, this sadly is the truth. Consider the likes of Natalie Holloway and Elizabeth Smart, for example. When these girls went missing, the world was up in arms. I recall countless news segments, headlines, investigations, and resources being put toward locating them. I can only imagine the hoopla that would occur if 230 White girls were abducted in a similar manner. The slow response to The Chibok Abduction is yet another tragic reminder that women and children of color from developing countries hold less value in eyes of the world.
     I am also appalled at the slow response from international governments. First and foremost, I am totally with the Nigerian parents and family members protesting President Goodluck Jonathan's lack of action. It was finally reported yesterday that Jonathan set up a "Presidential Committee" to oversee the rescue of the Chibok girls. This committee came about after 3 days of protests throughout Abuja, more than two weeks after the girls were abducted. While I sincerely hope that Jonathan's efforts will successfully free the captured girls and return them home, I can't help but feel that it is too little, too late. Boko Haram has such a strong hold throughout the Nigeria/Cameroon area, and delaying the rescue efforts has given them a greater advantage. I did read yesterday that the US and the UK have both offered to help locate the girls. While I am glad that the respective governments have finally acknowledged the issue, I just hope that it is not too late. The girls deserve so much more concern, compassion, and attention than the world has given them.
    This incident has made me think very deeply about the impact of religious and political conflicts on innocent people. Boko Haram literally translates to "Western Education is Forbidden"---Boko is the Hausa word for Western education while Haram, in Arabic, means sin. The movement began as a separatist group in northern Nigeria and then evolved into a jihadist organization by 2009. The militants who abide by this creed terrorize innocent civilians everyday in the name of Allah. I am 100% positive that God (of any faith) does not approve of the abduction and raping of young school girls. I am also sure that God does not condone selling these abducted girls into sex slavery. This instance is sadly one of many where common people have been victims of extremist violence. It is up to us, as human beings, to speak out against such atrocities and promote a global environment where all individuals can lead peaceful lives.
   At a personal level, this incident is close to my heart. These girls, who are only slightly younger than me, are stuck in such a devastating situation. They were taken away from their homes and are being subjected to all kinds of violence as we speak. I am fortunate to live in an environment where I don't have to fear for my life on a daily basis. Thus, I hope to use my privilege to help advocate for these girls. Although I wish I could do more for them, I can at least start by raising awareness about the issue at hand. My thoughts and prayers are with the girls, and I hope they are all located and brought home safely.

First Few Days in Ghana

Wow! I can't believe I'm finally here. After months of preparation and a long, strenuous flight I made it to Ghana. As we walked of the plane, we were greeted by the moist Ghanian air. As a group of multi-ethnic American exchange students, we were bombarded by porters and airport personnel eager to get tips from us. After locating missing luggage and clearing customs, our program coordinator recieved us and took us to the Miklin Hotel. I learned a lot about Accra through our ride back. The streets were filled with the hustle and bustle of any metropolitan area. Taxis, cars, buses, motorcyles and tro-tros whizzed past. As far as its structure is concerned, Accra reminds me a lot of Mumbai, India. While both cities are modern in their posh malls, restaurants, and homes, abject poverty and inequality persist. It blew my mind to see poor children in tattered clothes playing outside fancy mansions. When we reached the hotel, we checked into our rooms, freshened up and ate at the hotel's restaurant. Never in my life did I think I would be eating so much Chinese food in Ghana! Since there aren't many vegetarian options here, I find myself eating lots of fried rice and sauteed vegetables. Later on in the evening, a seamstress measured us for dresses. She will sew us dresses made from traditional fabric for a cultural dance on Tuesday. I'm so excited for my dress, which will be a short, one-shoulder dress made from orange block print Kente fabric.

 We went to a nice supermarket today, located at the Accra mall, where I managed to find some pita bread and hummus to satisfy my protein intake. For the most part, people here are so nice and helpful. Everyone from the hotel staff to our Ghanian peers at the University of Ghana-East Legon seem genuinely interested in our well being. After touring the university campus (which was beautiful!), we toured the city in our tour bus. Everything from the parliament buildings and the gardens to the homes by the coast provides Accra with so much character. We exchanged money at a local bank where we met Ghanian neighborhood children as we waited outside. They pointed at our group, smiled at us, and called us obrunis (foreigners).  I got the most adorable picture of two young children carrying water buckets on their heads! I'm looking forward to visiting the beach on Saturday and buying souveniers from the street vendors and Culture Centre there. In addition to the experience of being in Accra, my group members are great. It is a great bonding experience for all of us as we explore Ghanian culture together. It has only been two days and I feel like I know everyone much better. Overall, my experience has been great. I can't wait for all the exciting adventures that await me throughout the next month!

Bon Voyage!

So the time has finally come for me to go to Ghana! It still hasn't hit me yet that in less than 48 hours I will be in the capital city of Accra. The program I'm participating in is a Community and Social Development Maymester, which will start on May 22 and end on June 19. Our group of 20 students will participate in various sevice learning projects. My service learning group will work with women residing in the Agoblushie slum. We have raised nearly $1000 in microloans which we will distribute to these women. We will assist them in starting their own businesses. We have organized workshops for them pertaining to team building, professional networking, reproductive health, sustainability, and financial literacy. We will also embark on educational field trips throughout Accra, Elimina, and a couple of villages. The Kwame Nkrumah National Museum, the Aburi Botanical Gardens, the Patriensa Village, and the Elimina Slave Castles are just a few of the historical and cultural sites we will visit. This is my first time going to Africa so I'm beyond thrilled. Please follow my blog as I write about my experiences in Ghana!

Social Justice Blog: On A Closing Note

I never thought a class would impact me as much as Foundations for Social Justice did. From studying every subject from racism and sexism to homophobia and ageism, the wide array of topics we have covered this semester is quite incredible. I've never been in a class like this, where we discuss real issues and their pertinence to our own lives. From watching documentaries relating to classism and writing op-ed articles about hot button social issues, this class has helped me channel my passion and energy to create change. The social justic action projects we took on were indisputably life-altering learning experiences. More than anything else, I really appreciate the action aspect of this class. Part of the journey involves studying the issue but the other part involves taking steps to fuel change.

In retrospect, it often seems like there is no way that we can tackle all the problems in the world. Whether it is battered women, economically disadvantaged youth, ostracized transsexuals, or the neglected elderly, it seems like there are so many populations to serve and not enough resources. Many of the social inequalities that exist in America and the world as a whole are the result of deep-rooted, historical injustices. However, the important thing to keep in mind is that we can't lose hope. Yes, it may often feel like there isn't enough social capital to make a notable dent. However, if we start small and build up support systems over time, it's quite remarkable what we can do. A recent experience I had really got me thinking about what I can do to make a difference.

Soon after I presented my project regarding educational disparities in low-income neighborhoods, a friend invited me to participate in a career event she organized at Pearce Middle School. She needed guest speakers to discuss their college experiences and I was happy to assist her. I showed up at Pearce and proceeded to the cafeteria where I would meet with the students. As someone who has volunteered and mentored extensively at Reagan High School, the high school Pearce feeds into, I had a thorough understanding of the struggles facing students at Pearce. Known for its location in a crime-ridden neighborhood and disciplinary problems, Pearce is undoubtedly a rough school. When I walked into the school, I saw a multitude of police officers, students wearing assigned colors, and both genders situated on opposite sides of the cafeteria. I began speaking to different students at each table.

I tried to develop a rapport with each group of students in the short amount of time I had. I asked them about themselves and what questions they had about college. Some students were extremely engaged while others were more interested in discussing tangential topics. I did my best to encourage all students to pursue college and apply to UT. While it was difficult for me to accept that not all the students would take my advice to heart, I was comforted by the students that asked me about college life, my major, and their own career goals. I decided that even if I could reach out to maybe 20 out of the 100 students I interacted with, that would be a success in itself. Pearce, like many other economically disadvantaged schools in Austin, is plagued by poverty, crime, lack of family involvement, and the historical impacts of racism. Closing the achievement gap between low-income, often minority, students and upper-middle class, often White, students requires a long journey. However, I believe that it is doable. If we are able to mobilize enough people in the community, we can create gradual change.

I realize that I, alone, will not be able to tackle world hunger, racism, economic disparities, human trafficking, child abuse, domestic violence, etc on my own. If there is one thing I've learned in this class, strength is in numbers. In addition to pursuing a career in social work, I vow to do my part to organize people. Whether it is registering people to vote, encouraging others to write to legislators, or organizing protests, every person counts. Although racism is still alive and well, it is admirable the amount of awareness we have raised as a result of the activism elicited by the Trayvon Martin incident. While we still have a ways to go in terms of reproductive rights, the impact we have made as a result of recent nationwide protests and rallies is significant. The utilization of social media to expose dictator Joseph Kony is another example of strength in numbers. As empowered citizens of the world, we can collectively alleviate social inequalities. There's no doubt that what starts here, changes the world.

Social Justice Blog: A Life Changing Experience

Hands down, this social justice project has been one of the most interesting of projects that I've done in my life. It shed light on an issue that affects the livelihoods of people across the world: educational disparities. From interviewing teachers at both Bowie and Reagan to chatting with students and listening to the grievances of community members, I plan to hold on to the valuable knowledge I gained throughout my lifetime. We read in news articles and textbooks about low college attendance rates among inner city students, lower academic achievement around minority students, and a huge resource gap among upper-middle class and low-income students. This project was an amazing experience because it put a face on these topics and gave me a tangible understanding of what I can do to make a difference.

Our project explored the differences between student life at two radically different high schools. The achievement gap, we learned, has multiple layers including cultural norms, ethnicity, socioeconomic gaps, and family status. My personal predicament is somewhat of an interesting one: while I am a minority student, I haven't experienced the educational disparities that many other youth of color have. This project really made me think about what I, as a person of color with access to educational resources, can do to encourage youth in underprivileged areas. I've always been a believer that it is my duty to pass on and share with others the God-given resources I have. Like I mentioned in my project presentation, the sad truth is that not everyone is blessed with well-to-do parents, fancy SAT tutors, and privileged schools. It's my duty as a human being to make sure that I help others gain access to these resources so they can reach their full potential.

As I brainstormed specific things I can do to bridge the gap, something that the Reagan health sciences teacher said specifically stuck out to me. Ms. Hardy mentioned that, in her opinion, the reason why the teenage pregnancy rate is so high at Reagan is because of the girls' low-self esteem. She stated that many of these girls come from unstable households where the parents are often preoccupied with putting food on the table. As a result, the girls often feel lonely due to a lack of a support system. Consequently, they engage in sexual activity with any boy or man(often older) that makes them feel loved. She expressed a need for empowerment classes for the girls which teach them to stand up for themselves, beginning freshman year.

I would definitely be interested in spearheading an empowerment class for girls at either Reagan or any low-income school in Austin. Next semester, I hope to continue my research on this topic through the Center for Social Work Research. I plan on focusing my research on the reasons for teenage pregnancy in low-income areas, it's impact on a student's academic success, and the actions that can be taken to prevent it. I'm hoping that I can establish an empowerment class alongside my research. I definitely realize that my efforts won't end teen pregnancy in the state of Texas, however, if even a few girls benefit from my workshop that would be an immense success.  We often read in news sources about facts and statistics related to pregnacy but we often don't hear about the behind-the-scenes factors that influence this trend. It's my goal to interview high school girls, pregnant and not pregnant, families, and community members without just being "the BSW research student." I will strive my best to become one with the community as I continue my research. The better job I do empathizing with these girls, the better an idea I will have about how I can help motivate them. Many of these girls can go on to do great things with their lives if they recieve the right guidance.

The bottom line is that we are all human beings. We all thrive off of love and appreciation and we all have the potential to contribute to the greater good of society. When it comes to education, every child across the world should be taught that his or her opinions and contributions are very valuable. Man or woman, white or black, gay or straight, rich or poor, no one should be made to feel like they don't matter. This lack of self-worth is the very essence of the achievement gap: it all comes down to the fact that students in underprivileged areas often don't see what they are worth. Poverty is a nasty cycle which creates a domino effect where the students become victims of injustice. When I tell people I'm double majoring in Social Work, they often respond saying, "Oh, it's so sweet that you want to help people." I usually respond saying, "Actually, my goal is to help people help themselves." I'm not sure where life will take me career wise, however, I will say that what ever I do I will implement sustainable initatives that empower people. Whether it is community organizing, leading empowerment workshops, or facilitating support groups, I want to do my part to help uplift others. My hope is that from there, they will continue on and pass on the skills they have learned to future generations.

Closing Quote: "If you give a man a fish you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish you feed him for a lifetime."