Working with diversity is future way for US, world

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Dr. Biplab Pal, Editor Fosaac.TV, 13 June, 2008

 

New York: My recent visit to California gave me an opportunity to witness how the S. Asian groups are conducting Race, Faith & Community Relations within the USA.

Unlike Britain, the S. Asian communities in US have not been fragmented through political processes, using signifiers of difference, based upon Race & Faith.

Unlike Britain, the US government has not encouraged the establishment of separated or segregated faith bodies and institutions to pander to a misguided essentialist multicultural vision.

I was very impressed to witness how 8 varied communities, of South Asian origin, are working together as a collective force under the stewardship of Mr. Kishore (Kevin) Kaul.

Working with dedicated commitment over the past seven years, Kevin has forged alliances between the communities with origins from India, Pakistan,Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma (Myanmar) and Maldives under the Friends of South Asian American Communities organization (FOSAAC).

This collective South Asian force has enormous political capital within the political processes of US and should be seen as a model for future engagement of South Asian communities in the West. A senior Democratic Congressman, Adam Schiff, met with members of the US-ASIA Business Forum (USABF) & Friends of the South Asian American Communities (FOSAAC) on 7th June 2008.

The Congressman was greeted by the Executive Director of US-ASIA Business Forum and Chairman of FOSAAC , Kishore (Kevin) Kaul, who introduced the Congressman to the South Asian Community leaders, as a democratic leader of inspired integrity, who has supported presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama, from the beginning of his campaign as Presidential nominee.

During a live televised interview with Ms Anuja Prashar, Congressman Adam Schiff stated that his long career and experience on the Foreign Policy Commission and Appropriations Committee, was instrumental in his developing a healthy respect for South Asia and recognizing the increasing significance this region is going to play in the future.

He identified the significance of the South Asian region to USA's future development on issues of security, economic partnerships and energy.

When asked how he perceived the role of the South Asian community within the USA, Schiff did not hesitate to name all the areas in which the community has already made a significant contribution – medical, educational, financial, IT and science research and development.

Adam Schiff acknowledged that these well embedded relationships, with the South Asian Community, will only improve over time to benefit the USA.

The historic speech of Senator Hillary Clinton, on 7th June 2008, suspending her campaign, had just been televised the same morning and so questions about the presidential elections were on everyone's mind.

The first question was who Senator Obama may chose to be his running mate. Congressman Schiff declared he had no insider knowledge, but was sure that the choice would be made judiciously and with great awareness for the need to unite the democratic party.

The stakes were too high for the future of the USA, said Adam Schiff, for the democratic party to dwell upon differences and the historic battle between Obama and Clinton.

The party has to become united behind the issues of provision of universal medical care, education, economic stability and sustainable internal relations. Schiff shared his own journey of awareness, that had lead him to support Barack Obama, whom he suggests has the capability and dedication to bring together so many people and to lead them to overcome all differences that have burdened the USA for far too long.

Mr. Jalil Khan (Leader of the Bangladeshi Community and Co-Chair of FOSAAC) questioned how the democratic party will work to shift and bring on board those who supported Hillary Clinton against Barack Obama and unite the party.

Adam Schiff reminded the audience that the distinctions between Senator McCain's policies and those of Barack Obama are so stark, that at the time of election, people will not be moved to vote for personalities, but will vote for the values they believe in and the changes they want to see. He asserted that people of the USA want change and that McCain is simply a vote for more of the same.

Dr. Anil Shah, who owns seven hospitals in the Orange County LA, asked the Congressman how the party, under the leadership of Obama, was going to address the issues of lack of medical insurance for millions of US citizens, an issue that he felt was about ethics as much as it was about economics. Adam Schiff agreed with the Doctor and stated that this issue will have to be a priority for the next president, along with the inherited situation of a country burdened by an enormous economic deficit.

Mrs Anne Tahim (Executive of FOSAAC) pointed out that the younger generation of the USA today has not got the burden of historical memory and that we all need to engage with the youth. Adam Schiff was able to confirm that Obama has a fabulous grassroots support network that included young people from all backgrounds, within the democratic process like never before.

Mr Yogesh Mehta, also a Co-Chair of FOSAAC, asked Schiff if the Iraq war could be stopped soon. Congressman asserted that it was very important for the USA to facilitate a political settlement in Iraq and end the war as soon as possible, because the USA can no longer afford to continue with this policy.

The Friends of South Asian American Community have demonstrated that overcoming differences and working together is not only far more effective for political engagement, but that the USA and the world community at large can no longer afford to continue down to the path of ossified differences, based upon Class, Race & Faith.