Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Pakistani Americans must take Politics Seriously.

Around 2004,  I was over at a Pakistani American community gathering.  It was filled with students and young professionals who had interest in Pakistan affairs as well as the political process in the United States.  We were building on something special.  There was a Pakistani American state representative, Saghir “Saggy” Tahir, in New Hampshire at the time.  There was a level of optimism, not only in matters concerning Pakistan, but also, the rise of Pakistani Americans in politics.  People were engaged and more informed.  There was a greater level of enthusiasm for interest in getting involved in the political process, wherever it would be.  I was a  college student then, very optimistic of the future.  I thought that by 2012, we would have someone of Pakistan origin elected to the US House of Representatives. It’s 2016, and that hasn’t happened…yet. 

Then things started to change years later, 2007 brought the lawyers movement which lead to the rise of the PPP.  With Asif Zardari ascending in to the office of the Presidency in Pakistan, came the drop in enthusiasm towards politics.  And while that drop in enthusiasm was reflected towards Pakistan politics, indirectly, it has a subconscious effect on the Pakistani American public.  Then came the 2013 election campaign.  The Pakistani American public had great interest in participating in the political process.  That $10 a month help change an entire political party, oh yea, but something else was happening. While the world had their attention on the “Arab Spring,” overseas Pakistanis were much more interested in their own spring, the PTI Tsunami.

Whether you loved or hated Imran Khan, everyone was paying attention to the PTI Campaign.  It revolutionized the political campaign process in Pakistan.  Twitter and Facebook were critical components of PTI’s campaign success.  While the extent to which the campaign could have been successful can be argued, social media is the reason why Imran Khan has become a mainstream politician in Pakistan.  Pakistan is going through change, primarily because more people from civil society are engaged in the political process.  

However, we haven't taken politics seriously here in the United States.  One of my personal experiences has been dealing with community leaders.  The community uncles and aunties would and still often lecture me on the need to be involved in the political process here in the United States.  But I have come to learn that most of these uncles and aunties are all talk and no action.  What they don’t realize is that I have been much more involved in the political process here much more than they know of.  They will give you a ten minute lecture on the need to be involved in a political process in the US but they won’t even contribute $10 towards a political campaign for a Candidate for Congress, even if the community uncle or aunt drive a luxury car.  The Pakistani American community has a highly educated population. But unless you are involved in the political process, no one is going to take you seriously, that's reality.  

This is why some Presidential campaigns are taking advantage of that, as well as the congressional campaigns.  This is why myths are seen as realities.  This is why mainstream media, instead of countering the misconceptions of Pakistan, become the advocates of certain interests to exploit the weaknesses of Pakistan.  

The problem within the Pakistani American community is that we do not take politics seriously.  By seriously, bashing Donald Trump or talking about Pakistan Politics doesn't count. What counts is running for office. to run for office.  When someone takes advantage of the opportunities to run for office, we are a supporter by words, but little by action.  Sure, we support those Congressmen who already are elected, but we do not jump at the opportunities to help others get elected.  We accept the establishment as it is, not what it can be.  We can do better. If a lower middle class person like me can help a campaign doing my small part, certainly the Pakistani American elite can do theirs.  They should realize that there is more to life than making money or having community gatherings.  


It doesn’t matter how educated you are and how you have been successful as an entrepreneur, it doesn’t matter if you are on the cover of the magazine if you have bought a football team, or some monetary achievement.  What matters is politics.  People have the ability to make a difference, but you must believe in it.  In terms of Pakistani Americans, there are a few who are running for office.  

At the state level, Dr. Saud Anwar running for 14th District state House seat in Connecticut.  The other, Ali Mirza, is running for the Democratic nomination for US Congress from New York’s 5th Congressional district.  This is a start, but both campaigns need critical support.  Especially from the Pakistani American community.  It’s time for the Pakistani Americans to put action behind their words.  Even a small contribution can go a long way towards making a difference.   In both of these races, the Pakistani American community has an opportunity at an incremental rise.  

More needs to be done, but it all begins with people taking an active interest in politics.  When there is interest in engaging within the political process, change can happen.  Change isn't difficult when you believe in change. I believe in Progressive politics.  I don't believe in incremental change, I am not willing to settle for less, because I believe in progress.  

Saturday, July 18, 2009

A New Beginning

It came to me
Education is the Key
To Peace and Prosperity
And Progress of Society

So that we can Unite as Humanity
Live Together Happily
And Unite The Society

Live with Love Equally
Wouldn't that be Lovely

For a Better Society