Comments on: Vote South Asian, Vote Obama http://www.desimanifesto.com/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/2008-01-31 A humorous and edgy desi blog, diary, message board, and forum for stories, fiction, editorials, op eds, and articles by and for Indian men born in the US, India, and abroad. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:40:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: anil http://www.desimanifesto.com/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/2008-01-31#comment-177 anil Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:18:35 +0000 http://www.desimanifesto.com/2008/01/31/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/#comment-177 Karthik, you're right that black Americans have been in the U.S a long time since the early 1600s and were a founding population. But Obama is not a descendant of African American slaves who have long and rich history in the United States. Rather he is the son of a Kenyan man who was studying in the U.S and a white woman from Kansas. I live in Canada and I too see my story in Obama in a way his story speaks to all immigrants and their children. Karthik, you’re right that black Americans have been in the U.S a long time since the early 1600s and were a founding population. But Obama is not a descendant of African American slaves who have long and rich history in the United States. Rather he is the son of a Kenyan man who was studying in the U.S and a white woman from Kansas. I live in Canada and I too see my story in Obama in a way his story speaks to all immigrants and their children.

]]> By: Karthik http://www.desimanifesto.com/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/2008-01-31#comment-174 Karthik Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:54:45 +0000 http://www.desimanifesto.com/2008/01/31/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/#comment-174 While I would totally vote for Barrack for my own reasons (If I had a vote that is, I'm not an american citizen),  some of the arguments put forth here are slightly flawed IMHO. African-americans are a major "minority" in the states. Let me explain my oxymoronic statement. They have hundred plus years of presence here and were part of a major movement in the late 60s.  They are much more tightly integrated with society than others like south asians. Yet, it has taken this long for an african-american candidate to come to the fore front. It is not clear to me that south asians either have this sort of presence or have gone through any major movement to be conspicuous enough to run for the president.  Everything takes time - and I suspect south asians need another generation atleast to get the same recognition and acceptance. So, as close as one might find Barrack's story to their own, it is not! Secondly, as another comment pointed out, it is hopefully not the basis of your vote that Barrack's life story appeals to you. If that is the case, I am sure McCain can't be far behind with his war veteran status (not that you can see your life in his but that he has done things in his life that are appealing). I don't mean to disrespect the author's opinions but as a south asian I think it is important for us as a community to have a realistic opinion of where we stand as a community. All my partly cynical comments aside, I think Barrack will be the best choice for south asians and americans alike. K. While I would totally vote for Barrack for my own reasons (If I had a vote that is, I’m not an american citizen),  some of the arguments put forth here are slightly flawed IMHO.
African-americans are a major "minority" in the states. Let me explain my oxymoronic statement. They have hundred plus years of presence here and were part of a major movement in the late 60s.  They are much more tightly integrated with society than others like south asians. Yet, it has taken this long for an african-american candidate to come to the fore front. It is not clear to me that south asians either have this sort of presence or have gone through any major movement to be conspicuous enough to run for the president.  Everything takes time - and I suspect south asians need another generation atleast to get the same recognition and acceptance.
So, as close as one might find Barrack’s story to their own, it is not!

Secondly, as another comment pointed out, it is hopefully not the basis of your vote that Barrack’s life story appeals to you. If that is the case, I am sure McCain can’t be far behind with his war veteran status (not that you can see your life in his but that he has done things in his life that are appealing).

I don’t mean to disrespect the author’s opinions but as a south asian I think it is important for us as a community to have a realistic opinion of where we stand as a community.
All my partly cynical comments aside, I think Barrack will be the best choice for south asians and americans alike.

K.

]]> By: S.I. http://www.desimanifesto.com/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/2008-01-31#comment-142 S.I. Sat, 23 Feb 2008 02:39:25 +0000 http://www.desimanifesto.com/2008/01/31/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/#comment-142 Welcome any readers of <a href="http://www.sepiamutiny.com/" target="_blank" rel="follow" rel="nofollow">Sepia Mutiny</a>, one of the blogs we read with interest. A <a href="http://www.sepiamutiny.com/sepia/archives/005045.html" target="_blank" rel="follow" rel="nofollow">recent post by Anna</a> (sourcing a post by Abhi) dealt with issues similar to this post, so I figured a trackback couldn't hurt. For those who are new, feel free to look around. Though you may want to read <a href="http://www.desimanifesto.com/about/" rel="nofollow">about us</a> first, so at least if/when you get offended by our edgy (but funny) content, it's not a surprise. Welcome any readers of Sepia Mutiny, one of the blogs we read with interest. A recent post by Anna (sourcing a post by Abhi) dealt with issues similar to this post, so I figured a trackback couldn’t hurt.

For those who are new, feel free to look around. Though you may want to read about us first, so at least if/when you get offended by our edgy (but funny) content, it’s not a surprise.

]]> By: S.I. http://www.desimanifesto.com/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/2008-01-31#comment-122 S.I. Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:50:36 +0000 http://www.desimanifesto.com/2008/01/31/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/#comment-122 It is, however, important to remember that voting for Obama shouldn't be a 'communal' effort necessarily. Yes, he is good for South Asians, perhaps better than anyone else. At the same time, we curse those who vote for a president solely based on evangelical issues or how it affects his tax return. As such, we should remember that we are voting because we are Americans, and our vote should reflect what is best for the nation, not only what is best for us, and even if it is not what is best for us individually. If that is still Obama for you, then I congratulate you for voting for the right reasons. It is, however, important to remember that voting for Obama shouldn’t be a ‘communal’ effort necessarily. Yes, he is good for South Asians, perhaps better than anyone else. At the same time, we curse those who vote for a president solely based on evangelical issues or how it affects his tax return.

As such, we should remember that we are voting because we are Americans, and our vote should reflect what is best for the nation, not only what is best for us, and even if it is not what is best for us individually.

If that is still Obama for you, then I congratulate you for voting for the right reasons.

]]> By: rockeddavote4barack http://www.desimanifesto.com/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/2008-01-31#comment-119 rockeddavote4barack Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:28:32 +0000 http://www.desimanifesto.com/2008/01/31/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/#comment-119 not that I needed more convincing not that I needed more convincing

]]> By: yassir http://www.desimanifesto.com/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/2008-01-31#comment-115 yassir Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:47:09 +0000 http://www.desimanifesto.com/2008/01/31/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/#comment-115 his experience as the minority, as the target of racial bias, and living outside the US will serve him well. and his rivals across party lines will reach out to him because he is open minded and understands other POVs. an era of political rapprochement is what we need to overcome Bush's sins. his experience as the minority, as the target of racial bias, and living outside the US will serve him well. and his rivals across party lines will reach out to him because he is open minded and understands other POVs. an era of political rapprochement is what we need to overcome Bush’s sins.

]]> By: Mama says Obama http://www.desimanifesto.com/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/2008-01-31#comment-114 Mama says Obama Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:09:43 +0000 http://www.desimanifesto.com/2008/01/31/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/#comment-114 While I've heard Hillary has been shirking her responsibilities to the Sikh community (canceling at events where she could be photographed with Sikhs), I have not heard of that from Barack. And he doesn't have to be scared of being seen with "one of them," because he is one of them. While I’ve heard Hillary has been shirking her responsibilities to the Sikh community (canceling at events where she could be photographed with Sikhs), I have not heard of that from Barack. And he doesn’t have to be scared of being seen with “one of them,” because he is one of them.

]]> By: singh http://www.desimanifesto.com/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/2008-01-31#comment-93 singh Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:04:36 +0000 http://www.desimanifesto.com/2008/01/31/vote-south-asian-vote-obama/#comment-93 I could not agree more with this. no matter what you are, you are reflected in Obama. I could not agree more with this. no matter what you are, you are reflected in Obama.

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