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June 2002 |
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WINDOW ON U.S.A |
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Raising Our Voices South Asian Americans Speak Up About Hate Crimes in the Local Community
By Natasha Alim
National
and local South Asian groups gathered at the Artesia Community Center in
Los Angeles to view the west
coast premiere screening of a gripping
documentary historically chronicling several hate crime incidents
directed towards the South Asian community: “Raising Our Voices.”
A discussion ensued about the recent tide of discrimination that South Asian Americans continue to
face. Raising Our Voices – an event hosted by the South Asian Network (SAN)
is the latest installment in a national series being conducted by the
South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT) to raise awareness about the escalation of bias –
motivated crimes in the wake of 9/11 and the passage of the U.S. Patriot
Act. The
focus of this initiative is multifold, first and foremost it serves as a
message to the South Asian community to empower victims to speak up and
report hate crimes; to alert perpetrators that hate crimes will not be
tolerated and law enforcement and government are prepared to step up and
take appropriate measures against them; to increase awareness about
community and governmental resources available to victims; and to
inspire public condemnation of hate crimes. The
hatred and vengeful acts that ensued post 9/11, often unreported, and
overlooked by mainstream media, are appalling.
A target for hate crimes because of their skin color, appearance,
dress, or religious affiliation – many South Asians fear retaliation
and violence as reports of hate-motivated crimes escalated in the days,
weeks, and months after September 11th.
Across the country, many South Asians were compelled to change
their dress and physical appearance by shaving their beards and
renouncing traditional and religious dress. SAN,
a Los Angeles-based community organization, indicates staggering numbers
of South Asian Americans have been and continue to be the victims of
hate-related threats, assaults, abuse, and property damage based on
reports they receive through their hate crimes hotline.
Executive Director of SAN, Hamid Khan, stated, “Since 9/11 the
South Asian community is bearing the brunt of a backlash of hate and
intolerance yet the biggest challenge is that these incidents continue
to be grossly under-reported”. A
hate crime survivor, who wished to remain anonymous, stood before the
audience and retold the horrific events that occurred on Nov. 17th
2001 in the parking lot of a Los Angeles mosque.
The assailant, repeatedly uttered, “Go back to where you came
from” and “I’m going to kill you today” as he kept a tight hold
on the victim’s neck, while repeatedly beating him in the face and
stomach. Fortunately the
victim was able to escape, when his assailant was distracted by two men.
The victim reported the incident to the police and to SAN and
later decided to press charges. The
perpetrator was prosecuted and according to Scott Millington,
Deputy-in-Charge of the LA District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Unit stated,
"We hold a zero tolerance policy against hate crimes and hate
incidents ”. The victim
shared that although he has moved on from this incident, he continues to
deal with the emotional reality of having been a victim, frequent
nightmares, and suspicion of people that remind him of his perpetrator. Deepa
Iyer, Project Director of SAALT and a civil rights attorney based out of
Washington D.C., was on hand to present the video to the community
gathering and share her accounts from the community from around the
country. Audience
members, horrified and inspired by the young man’s experience,
continued a genuine discussion about their reactions to the film and
discussion, and the realities and ramifications of hate-related
incidents, some retelling personal stories.
SAN board member, Manju Kulkarni reinforced that SAN is a place
that people can go to for help in the Los Angeles community. SAN
is a community based non-profit organization that is dedicated to
promoting the health and empowerment of people of South Asian origin
living in Southern California since 1990. Fundamental to SAN’s mission
is the promotion of equality for all.
SAN addresses a broad array of health, legal and social issues
affecting the South Asian community in Southern California. South Asians
include persons whose origin is from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and The Maldives. SAALT
is a newly formed non-profit organization dedicated to fostering
leadership & civic engagement among South Asian Americans based in
Washington, D.C.
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