The city of Newark, New Jersey just elected its first new mayor in 20 years. Known for its high rate of violent crime, Newark suffered a nasty campaign between golden boy Cory Booker and the candidate anointed by outgoing mayor Sharpe James.
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Hizzoner Booker T. Coryngton |
Cory Booker swamped his nearest challenger, state Sen. Ronald L. Rice, taking 72 percent of the vote compared with 24 percent for Rice in the nonpartisan election. [Link]Mr. Booker, a chatty former Rhodes scholar who developed his oratorical talents at Yale Law School, has been tagged by fellow Democrats as a rising star in the party. [Link]
Booker is a vegetarian who doesn’t drink… [Link]
… a Democrat who cites the Republican mayor of New York, Michael R. Bloomberg, as a political model, and a churchgoing Baptist who meditates and quotes from Hindu texts… [Link – thanks, Randompedia]
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Booker won by a landslide, but the campaign was marred by naked racial gibes from his black opponents. Red in tooth and claw, the ‘insufficiently black’ smear sounds a whole lot like desi racialists who question candidates’ authenticity (e.g. Bobby Jindal) and lob the grenade of Selling Out.
Booker is talking about the blacker-than-thou themes that James has been hammering on for weeks… “Sharpe James is running a campaign that uses every attempt possible to distract voters from the issues. He’s making racial allegations; he’s appealing to people’s worst fears…
“Four years ago, they said I was a tool of the Jews and a member of the KKK.” [Link]
… the battle pits the young challenger against an old-style political machine capable of using any means necessary–including personal harassment and police intimidation–to crush its opponents. Though both candidates are African-American, the race becomes racially charged when the mayor accuses Booker–a Rhodes scholar and Yale Law School grad–of not being “really black…” [Link]
… Sharpe James described him — though they are both African-American Democrats — as Jewish, gay, a Republican and a proxy for the Ku Klux Klan… At Oxford, after wandering into a meeting of L’Chaim, a Jewish student organization, he joined the group and was eventually elected its president…
He was a vegetarian in a city where the insiders still made deals over smothered chicken at Je’s, a soul food restaurant near City Hall. “He doesn’t want to create himself just in the mold of a black politician… He wants to be someone that white people, Latino people, who other people just feel comfortable with.” [Link]
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p>I don’t think it’s how future desi vs. desi campaigns in the U.S. will inevitably turn out, but it is a cheap and easy insult in a mud-slinging campaign. It certainly shows the crude racial smears in white vs. desi political campaigns in a whole new light.
In the end, the electorate grew tired of James’ machine politics, and the better candidate won. You win it, you fix it: let’s hope Booker is a better mandarin than dull Sharpe.
Outside one polling place… a Democratic district leader said he had just voted for Mr. Booker because he was sick and tired of all the crime in Newark. “There are prostitutes on my street corner and I call the police and nothing ever gets done.” [Link]
manish:
great post… i actually know booker… i’ve kept tabs on him for the last 14 yrs or so, since i knew when i met him, that he was going places… he was my dorm advisor at stanford eons ago… he was charismatic then..and full of dignity..and amazing character…he impacted me personally a great deal…and this entire racial issue is BS.. he was president of the jewish organization at oxford during his 2 yrs as a rhodes scholar… and he isn’t jewish..is that ‘black enough’ for them…
he’s been compared to have the barack obama quality, and i completely agree… he has that ‘it’ factor.. and the democrats need people like him in their party…
he ran in 2002, and lost… and now.. he’s DA MAYOR..
congrats cory, or shall i say Mr. MAYOR ;).
Red in tooth and claw, the ‘insufficiently black’ smear sounds a whole lot like desi racialists who question candidates’ authenticity (e.g. Bobby Jindal) and lob the grenade of Selling Out.
I didnt see any evidence of desi racialists smearing Jindal in the media. Of course some of us opposed him because we did not agree with his views. To support him when we did not agree with him on any policy issues would be better evidence of racialism.
Lots in our comments– due to authenticity rather than the ample policy disagreements.
You don’t support rich uncle fundraising? 🙂
There are currently plenty of signs of this happening in the future. Look at some of the Fob vs ABCD battles around the internet and print publications. People have vehemently chosen sides and there is always the inevitable contest to be won…who is more desi!
When Renu (now Renee) Lobo was running for a city council for a certain part of Queens she didn’t gain support in a predominantly white/hispanic neighborhood because they believed being active in the Indian community she was not their “kind” to relate or fight for them. Part of me doesn’t blame them. It would be like me going to Jackson Heights and running for some political position there to represent the store owners and desi population. I’m not brown enough for them to be eligible.
I donÂ’t think itÂ’s how future desi vs. desi campaigns in the U.S. will inevitably turn out
Why don’t you look at the only desi vs. desi electoral contest in the USA so far. Houston’s District F City Council Seat (Old SM post here). MJ Khan, KA Khan, and the odious John Shike (formerly Sheikh). Shike accused MJ of being a terrorist supporter. Desi community politics that I have know have been vicious, dirty and underhanded, just like Desi politics in South Asia.
All-Desi contests in Canada (there have been many — Mississauga, Brampton, Surrey, Edmonton-Strathcona etc) have been mixed. In BC, Mo Sihota and Ujjal Dosanjh had a tiff, and Herb Dhaliwal remains bitter about how he was squeezed out of his riding. The other man in that scandal, David Basi, is still under investigation for corruption.
Desi’s have a tradition of corruption, cronyism, and communalism in politics around the world — I’m sure it will be the same in the USA.
Ouch that’s a bit to melodramatic. You might have this among old school desis especially in India but the newer generation for the most part recognizes this and is just a bit more righteous then our parents generation about corruption and cronyism ESPECIALLY in the west.
And why do people use the term cronyism like it’s some kind of a “disease” that only affects the right. Anytime you have a someone within a position of power with a certain belief it is a given that he/she would attempt to surround him/herself with similar people. Isn’t that a natural human tendency? Everyone is guilty of it…
Desi’s have a tradition of corruption, cronyism, and communalism in politics around the world — I’m sure it will be the same in the USA.
i doubt there will ever be enough of us in the USofA.
manish,
imagine a city that was 3/4 desi, and 3/4 or those working class or chronically poor, and where an entire generation had direct personal memories of being excluded from access and opportunities because they were desi.
now imagine that city undergoing twenty years of manufacturing stagnation and recession and the globalization of its regional economy.
imagine that non-desis from the nearby metropolis have been coming to this city and establishing their own little enclaves while still viewing the desis with fear and suspicion, sending their children to different schools, setting up their own businesses rather than patronize the existing ones.
imagine that there already existed a century’s worth of desi politics and cultural memory in which desis who acted more white, talked more white, looked more white, typically had access to opportunities that others didn’t, and often used this to exert political and economic control over the others.
of course that city would develop a corrupt political machine that spun itself as representing authentic desi interests even while it ate away at the city’s already threatened economic base.
and of course a dimension of politics — in which the key is for candidates to distinguish themselves from one another — would be how desi each competing candidate was, in presumption and in deed.
“blacker-than-thou” tends to get ugly and unproductive, sure. but even the few examples posted in this comment thread so far say that when you have desi-versus-desi campaigns in desi-dominant constituencies, you can bet your desi ass that the politics of authenticity will come into play.
peace
disagree – on two fronts.
your position violates the axiom that we’re all equal in mind, body and spirit.
However, the above is an article of faith – and one has it or one does not – if one does not, i would position that politicians and bureaucrats of all stripes world wide have participated in the ‘traditional’ activities of your listing at all levels – as evidence i’d offer up political decisions that are not fact-based but are driven by appeasement in form of sexual favor, money or (the cessation of) pain – now that’s a definition of tradition you can take to the bank
have a nice day – isnt that a song?
I’m not sure of my stand on this. I don’t think it should be a problem that someone chooses to move away from his/her ‘original’/parental identity. It’s a principle of freedom.
However, it is a bit of a problem with this (hypothetical) person starts using this rejected identity to get successful in politics. I think that is definitely one of the causes for the resentment against Jindal, for instance. I could be wrong, though.
But again, in politics you use every weapon you have, so why not?
“Desi’s have a tradition of corruption, cronyism, and communalism in politics around the world — I’m sure it will be the same in the USA.”
but aren’t most political campaigns, no matter the ethnicity of the people contesting, essentially negative slugfests? going by the tv ads that come out by both sides, it would seem that finding and piling dirt on your opponent and sinking to low levels really has nothing to do with one’s ethnicity. i’m not sure why two desis or two blacks contesting for the same seat would be immune from this. they both want the seat and some people will just do anything to improve their chances and put down their opponent.
However, it is a bit of a problem with this (hypothetical) person starts using this rejected identity to get successful in politics. I think that is definitely one of the causes for the resentment against Jindal, for instance. I could be wrong, though.
look, i’m not a big fan of trading one superstition for another in the interests of self-interest. especially when you speak out of both sides of your mouth to both groups (i.e., smiling at the idolaters to raise money on the one hand, and smiling when people rail against pagan darkness on the other). but why can’t jindal’s identity as a brown person be that of a christian convert? jindal rejected his natal religion, but he bumps uglies with a brown chick and seems to speak out on brown issues. he rejected hinduism, not brownness (i have gone on record to say that i actually don’t like jindal’s record, accepting the mainstream religion but marrying within your own kind).
imagine that non-desis from the nearby metropolis have been coming to this city and establishing their own little enclaves while still viewing the desis with fear and suspicion, sending their children to different schools, setting up their own businesses rather than patronize the existing ones.
Are you talking about the Portugeese (and now Brazilian) brothers in the Ironbound district, where there are good times to be had by all? Are you blaming the travails of the African-Americans on them? That is unfair. Besides adding their own unique culture -in song and dance, food, and language – to the cityscape, they have also provided much needed economic stimulus. Ethnicities living separate and apart is commonplace in virtually every East Coast city.
Newark at one time was Irish and Jewish – and as thoroughly stratified and ethnically demarcated as it is today. Phillip Roth, the novelist, recently memorialized the Newark Jews in his novel The Plot Against America. The city was once an industrial hub and boasted a population of over half a million, but like all cities in New Jersey (with the possible exception of the now-reviving Jersey City with its 15,000 desis), the suburbanization of the white middle class and the big busineeses (including the pharma companies) has lead to their current state of decrepitude. Even the Newark Academy – a private school – shifted to Livingston, NJ.
Good luck Corey.
However, it is a bit of a problem with this (hypothetical) person starts using this rejected identity to get successful in politics. I think that is definitely one of the causes for the resentment against Jindal, for instance. I could be wrong, though.
Thats right. The rejection of Jindal among some Indian-Americans has nothing to do with “racialism.” The man willingly took the support of the Christian Coalition, which has historically been extremely unkind to Hindus. So perhaps his interests and those of a religious minority with limited social capital aren’t necessarily aligned. Brownness aint everything – you can’t harbor the thought in your heart that I pray to the devil and expect to get my vote.
“accepting the mainstream religion but marrying within your own kind.”
i thought his wife was also a catholic?
i mean racial kind.
wha?? You would be more sympathethic if he married a white christian?
Razib
Maybe he married the woman he fell in love with and he didnt care she was Indian like him?
Maybe he married the woman he fell in love with and he didnt care she was Indian like him?
the probabilities of random mating are low (ie, number of brown louisianins vs. number of brown louisianisms /(total combinations possible).
wha?? You would be more sympathethic if he married a white christian?
yes! no half-measures. worshipping the same made up being should bring races together.
Ummmm….are you a cyborg or a Vulcan or something?
The most important caveat of statistics methodolgy is asking the right questions. Your assumption is that Jindal mating strategy was race-based, perhaps the lovely couple was brought together by their mutual affinity towards mango-pickle, Hot-mix and the Baby Jesus, this furthers narrows the pool to a few elgible brown folk.
Booker might or might not be the real deal. Didn’t he outspend his opponent 5 to 1 or something? Also, the mud stuck cuz so much of his money came from outside of Newark. Here’s a pretty biased take.
of course that city would develop a corrupt political machine that spun itself as representing authentic desi interests even while it ate away at the city’s already threatened economic base.
This is the key part in understanding Booker vs. James if you believe Street Fight(which is my primary source). The literal paranoia, insanity, and power of Sharpe James and his machine are what produced the ability to get away with the kinds of racial taunts, anti-media activity and threats that were made against Booker and his supporters. I’m not a big fan of people like Booker rounding up money from NY bankers and running for mayor in poor cities, but James campaign was an affront to humanity if the movie is to be believed (and I do).
siddharth m — your comments are right on. I don’t think we can compare the historical and systemic hardships of the Black experience (and its defectors ranging from Uncle Tom to Clarence Thomas) to the few generations of desi/immigrant struggles.
regarding Jindal… though it sucks, any member of a minority community who breaks into the predominantly white political arena will be laden with much more than his fair share of cultural currency. Jindal is probably regarded as representing the patriotic Indian rather than a single permutation of many possibilities.
Of course, one has to be true to self before considering the larger community he represents simply by virtue of skin tone and bone structure, but its kinda sad (to me, at least) that the first one to who made it doesn’t really represent.
Ya can’t fault the individual. It just sucks that the rest of us to get saddled with the impression he gives to the lazy majority who are unwilling to take the time to appreciate the sepia spectrum.
There might be another desi angle on a Booker post: =p
“a churchgoing Baptist who meditates and quotes from Hindu texts — has also led some to suggest that he lacks strong convictions.” [Link]
The documentary on the 2002 campaign is worth checking out. That sharpe guy is one shady dude.
Sorry, [Link]
I haven’t as yet developed an opinion on Booker – I have a friend who was working with his campaign – Booker sounded good prima facie, but a bit too sugary for me not to keep a couple of steps back and put off forming an opinion…. I am glad, however, to see Sharpe James and his shady behind out the door. All I hope is that Booker keeps up the tradition of keeping parking free during December… I’ll be ornery as hell if I have to look for quarters come December…
In a way, the plight of Newark resembles that of India. As, Newark, like India, escapes its socialistic past and enters the enlightened path of economic liberalization; the old leftist reactionaries resort to racist mudslinging in order to try to prop up their corrupt regimes. Booker, although hardly a libertarian, expounds such free market solutions to Newark’s problems such as school choice; which explains much of the hatred that is directed against him.
Likewise, in India, the old left claims that capitalism is a white mans philosophy; despite the fact that few things have done more good for India in the last 50 years than globalization and free trade.
Here’s hoping Indians in the US don’t put on the same racist and ideological blinders that our black brothers and sisters have…which certainly doesn’t explain why they find themselves so down and out; but at least partialy explains why they haven’t gotten up.
In a way, the plight of Newark resembles that of India. As, Newark, like India, escapes its socialistic past and enters the enlightened path of economic liberalization; the old leftist reactionaries resort to racist mudslinging in order to try to prop up their corrupt regimes. Booker, although hardly a libertarian, expounds such free market solutions to Newark’s problems such as school choice; which explains much of the hatred that is directed against him.
In the interests of civility, I will simply say, “I disagree vehemently with the premises of your anology.”
I dont think it will ever turn out like that for Indians here. Could you imagine how confused white people would be if a Indian guy ran a smear campaing againt another indian. “Dont vote for Sanjay, his rakhi bracelet fell off his wrist after only 2 days. Did it really fall off Mr. Patel or did you cut it off because it was anooying?” This add was approved by Raj Kumar
someone else:
If the premise you disagree w/ is “Booker expounds such free market solutions to Newark’s problems such as school choice; which explains much of the hatred that is directed against him”…may I refer you to a link that “sirc” (commentator #22) first bought to our attention:
http://www.blackcommentator.com/poisoned_tree.html
From the small mindedness of the writer, to his/her conspiracy theories and racist premises…this cloumn almost reads like a left wing version of KKK thought.
It sounds like desi politicians will fit right in. May I suggest Boston, Chicago, or the states of New Jersey and Rhode Island as favorable places to perfect the art of corruption? If there is anything a politician needs to learn – at least in regards to graft, corruption, and “nationwide searches” that always seem to select someone’s brother-in-law – there are no better places to learn it. While it may be more likely that a corrupt politician be sent to jail in the US than in India, that only means that only the most expert practitioners are able to remain in office and continue to collect their fees, gratuities, and emoluments in the US. We tend to prosecute the careless, the inept, and the unlucky who get caught. It is a harsh system, perhaps, but we in the US can be proud of the results. Put your average Chicago alderman or Boston city councilman in any other country, and they could reduce it to penury and become UN Secretary General in a few years.
i normally just read this site (fabulous site, by the way!) but now i have to comment! maybe i misread this comment, but if not, someone needs to slow down with the negative stereotying of other brown people:
Manju – “racist and ideological blinders that black people have put on”? just because you donÂ’t bother to meet enough black folks to know that there are plenty of us who see our peripheries quite clearly doesnÂ’t mean we donÂ’t exist.
who’s wearing the blinders when you say things like, “this partially explains why they haven’t gotten up?” no, people who believe stereotypes like THAT explain why black people still face so many obstacles.
i will resist the urge to launch into a list of all the positive contributions that black people have made to the world. yes, the world – by the way Eddie, Brazilians have been shamed into denying it, but with the largest Afro-descended population outside of the continent of Africa, the majority (iÂ’m not kidding, the MAJORITY) of Brazilians would be considered “black” by American (one drop) standards, just go there and travel a bit, you’ll see.
iÂ’m not saying there are no problems in our community, but we are as diverse as any other group and there are many, many, many of us trying to change the negatives. many of us, like me, are trying to help immigrants in this country too, the more brown people here the better, but many immigrants are quick to believe the worst stereotypes about us. blacks and Native Americans in particular have a long history of being vehemently marginalized in this country, if not terrorized, so excuse us if we havenÂ’t turned every single problem around in the 50 years that have passed since legalized racism (segregation) was officially ended in this country in 1954 (and it was ended because, contrary to Manju’s belief, we actually were standing up, maybe you couldn’t tell because they were shooting and lynching us).
1954 was not that long ago! iÂ’m 30, so basically, my white friends’ grandparents were the ones sicking the dogs on my grandparents when they tried to go to school. You think racism dies in 2 generations? i always tell (non black) people, if you think there’s no racism in this country, call your mom and tell her you want to marry a black person. and don’t worry i won’t ask you what she says.
so yeah, Manju, black people are all down and out just like Indians all drive cabs and work at qwik-e-marts. thank you, come again…
cj
CJ:
iÂ’m not saying there are no problems in our community, but we are as diverse as any other group and there are many, many, many of us trying to change the negatives. many of us, like me, are trying to help immigrants in this country too, the more brown people here the better, but many immigrants are quick to believe the worst stereotypes about us.
You, my man, are on. I have nothing else to add on because you’ve captured it perfectly.
BTW, there are plenty of Indian Americans like me who agree with your sentiments about how Blacks are treated and seen in this country, as well as how the Indian American community in general regards Blacks. If you would like to learn more about the Indian American community’s attitudes towards other ethnic groups in the US (again, not every Indian, but a pretty large majority), I suggest you probe this “model minority” myth that the Indian American community prides itself on. I’m sure you already know what the concept of “model minority” suggests.
Manju
Here’s hoping Indians in the US don’t put on the same racist and ideological blinders that our black brothers and sisters have…which certainly doesn’t explain why they find themselves so down and out; but at least partialy explains why they haven’t gotten up
Now who’s wearing “racist and ideological blinders”, you or Blacks? You’re hoping that “Indians in the US don’t put on the same racist and ideological blinders” as Blacks have, but congratulations, you’ve already got them on.
If we continue at this rate, Manju, things aren’t looking so good for us Indians in the US…. this will partially explain why we haven’t gotten up there yet (Bobby Jindal exempted).
You can refer me to as many links as you want, but when you analogize (yes i made that word up) newark’s system to india in four sentences (or however many you used) as poorly as you did, there really isn’t much that I can say outside of encouraing you to learn more about newark and more about india. The situations are vastly different (as two different situations tend to be) and generally are not that useful to those who seek to push forward anti-left arguments that lack any coherence.
Agree with Eddie on the above. Did the first Italian or Irish politicians became protestant (and giving up their Catholic faith) to be successful in American politics?? How about the Jewish politicians?? You all know the answer. NO !!! Thats the main beef a lot of people have with Jindal… nothing to do with brownness.
To add to this… Has anyone imagined how hard it would have been for the African American community to strive for Civil rights, had majority of them not been Christians ( of the protestant denominations)?? Has anyone thought of the scenario when a marginalized population is lets say “Buddhist” in a abrahamic religion nation???
CJ
My apologies for not making it clear that when I referred to the “racist and ideological blinders that black people have put on”, I was not talking about ALL Blacks, just some like Sharpe James and the anonymous author of this article: http://www.blackcommentator.com/poisoned_tree.html . I was not careful to make this distinction, in part because being racist or ideological is hardly a stereotype of blacks in this country, although the same cannot be said of white southerners or conservatives in general.
Please notice that I said the same thing about Indians. There is a strain in Indian politics that believes Nehruvian Socialism is the true Indian way, and that those who embrace the free-market are somehow traitors to our people. This partially explains why we haven’t gotten up (current progress excluded) either—IÂ’m referring to economics in both cases.
Of course, Newark and India are vastly different but both have had corrupt and incompetent regimes trying to consolidate their power by use of racial/ethnic politics. While we would all love to believe that those who disagree with us are simply racists or Uncle Toms (this way we do not have to address their arguments); such blinders only serve to keep our people in bondage. While much of the world (eastern Europe, china, etc) works to unshackle themselves from outdated and repressive economic systems that keep people in poverty, hereÂ’s hoping Indians and Blacks can work together toward economic freedom—without being called traitors to our people.
hereÂ’s hoping Indians and Blacks can work together toward economic freedom—without being called traitors to our people.
Aha! Here’s the real agenda 😉
Don’t worry–you’re not a race traitor if you’re a market worshipper–your politics are just poor. Read One Market Under God by Thomas Frank or Twilight of Equality by Lisa Duggan or any number of other works if you get a chance.
okay, Manju, your explanation leads me to relinquish my soapbox, strictly economically speaking, i won’t disagree and i definately hear you on your last paragraph…that’s why, at the risk of providing yet more fodder for the model minority camp :), i have to say i think this is one of the best blogs for all brown people to read, of all complexions, you guys often deal with issues that transcend one specific culture and with alot of insight.
Cheap Ass Desi, its funny you mention that because faced with so many negative stereotypes about my community, i dream of a day where i feel an obligation to debunk positive misconceptions about black people 🙂 i used to tutor physics in this little student help center we had in college and invariably, anytime i was helping an asian guy (i’m a girl btw) another student looking for help would come up to the guy and say, can you help me when you’re done with her? 🙂
cj
Maharani Manju:
While much of the world (eastern Europe, china, etc) works to unshackle themselves from outdated and repressive economic systems that keep people in poverty, hereÂ’s hoping Indians and Blacks can work together toward economic freedom—without being called traitors to our people.
(Applause, applause).
You are just digging your hole deeper….
CJ:
Cheap Ass Desi, its funny you mention that because faced with so many negative stereotypes about my community, i dream of a day where i feel an obligation to debunk positive misconceptions about black people 🙂 i used to tutor physics in this little student help center we had in college and invariably, anytime i was helping an asian guy (i’m a girl btw) another student looking for help would come up to the guy and say, can you help me when you’re done with her? 🙂
I hear you. Imagine how I feel: anytime a stranger learns that I am a student, the person asks within a heartbeat: ” Are you studying engineering?” When I respond no, the next question: “Are you studying medecine?” When I tell them that I am not in the sciences, there is always this look of disappointment: “Oh. Because you know, usually Indians are doctors and engineers”. Huh.
Hey, if you want the low down on Indian Americans and the model minority fantasy, I suggest you read Vijay Prashad and Arvind Rajagopal, to name a couple of scholars.
Imagine how I feel: anytime a stranger learns that I am a student, the person asks within a heartbeat: ” Are you studying engineering?” When I respond no, the next question: “Are you studying medicine?” When I tell them that I am not in the sciences, there is always this look of disappointment: “Oh. Because you know, usually Indians are doctors and engineers”.
In the above comment, where I say, “imagine how I feel”, I now realize that was a poor choice of phrase and requires an explanation. What I mean is that there is this stereotype about Indian Americans being of a certain cut, ie. we are all upper/upper- middle class, doctors and engineers, super nerd geeks, and so on, but when I get questions like this from others, I always get the urge to break it down for them: not all of the Indian American community is rich, not all are doctors and engineers, etc. There is diversity also within the Indian AMerican community, similar to how CJ pointed out that there is diversity in the African American community as well (in every community, for that matter).
CAD
You are just digging your hole deeper….
Sorry to see you still think I’m a racist (assuming this is what you mean). But at least it puts me in good company…Cory Booker, Condi Rice, Bill Cosby
at least it puts me in good company…Cory Booker, Condi Rice, Bill Cosby
I’m confused. I understand that these are three Black Americans who, in different ways, have some ideologically conservative ideas or approaches to politics. What are you claiming that you have in common with these three folks and why did you pick them, instead of, say, Manmohan Singh?
Someone Else:
Well, this thread is about Cory Booker, or more specifally, the vile treatment he had to endure at the hands of Newark’s (mostly black) Democratic Party Machine–and whether or not indians in the US would descend to such tactics.
Then, Cheap Ass Desi declared me a racist for partially blaming blacks their own plight (#34); much like has been done to Booker, Cosby, and Rice. So I grandiously compared myself to them, as I don’t know of any specific example of M.Singh facing such criticisms.
But if some left leaning Indian Nationalist has criticied him along these lines for his reformist economic policies, then I would gladly include myself in his league of fellow renegades.
If this is your recommendation for knowing about Indians, I pity CJ.
hindutvavadi in California :
CAD: I suggest you read Vijay Prashad and Arvind Rajagopal, to name a couple of scholars.
If this is your recommendation for knowing about Indians, I pity CJ.
Until Bobby Jindal comes out with his much anticipated autobiograpy, Vijay Prashad and Arvind Rajagopal it is.
Manju:
Then, Cheap Ass Desi declared me a racist for partially blaming blacks their own plight (#34); much like has been done to Booker, Cosby, and Rice.
Manju beti, look at the underlined words carefully. Think long and hard.
Keep digging…..
What CAD said: Hey, if you want the low down on Indian Americans and the model minority fantasy, I suggest you read Vijay Prashad and Arvind Rajagopal, to name a couple of scholars.
What you responded, hindtuvavadi: If this is your recommendation for knowing about Indians, I pity CJ.
Notice the difference? This level of misinterpretation is really hard to fathom.