Lifestyle / South Asian Communities Under Suspicion And Attack

South Asian Communities Under Suspicion And Attack

Lifestyle Sep 15, 2014

by Anokhi Admin

Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Middle Eastern, and Arab communities face an increasingly hostile climate in the US, according to a new report by an umbrella community organization.

In its report on ‘Under Suspicion, Under Attack,’ the minority rights group South Asian Americans Leading Together said that 78 instances of xenophobic political speech and 76 examples of hate violence that it documented between January 2011 and April 2014 suggested that these communities lived a climate of growing hostility in American society today.
Written by Sameera Haz and Suman Raghunathan, in consultation with Deepa Iyer, the report identifies the SAALT as, “A national nonpartisan non-profit organization that elevates the voices and perspectives of South Asian individuals and organizations to build a more just and inclusive society in the United States.”

Since the events of 9/11, South Asian communities have been associated into one group: targets – with hate crimes increasing significantly. Over 80 percent of cases of hate violence documented in the report – which documents over 150 incidents of hate violence and xenophobic political rhetoric within the U.S. from Jan. 2011 to Apr. 2014- were motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment; while other faith communities are also targets of the severe violence caused by stereotyping those from South Asian countries. Take the case of Linda Sarsour, Senior Strategist for the 'Take on Hate' campaign and Executive Director of the Arab American Association of New York. Just last week a man threatened to cut her head off, before calling her a derogatory name.

According to the report, through the Internet, media, xenophobic political speech and hate violence, there is an Islamophobia “industry” demonizing Muslims. This negative climate continues to develop through the profiling and surveillance by law enforcement agencies.

"Our communities have endured a sustained and even escalating backlash after 9/11, crystallized by hate violence. I myself was the victim of a hate violence attack just last week near my office in Brooklyn, NY. Enough is enough. That's why we started the 'Take on Hate' Campaign," said Linda Sarsour, Senior Strategist for the 'Take on Hate' campaign and Executive Director of the Arab American Association of New York. "Take on Hate' uses education, media, and coalition building in an effort to challenge discrimination and bigotry and move us closer to a nation that upholds equality and dignity for all."

SAALT includes recommendations for the President of the United States, as well as Congress. It urges these political entities to change their current framework, ensuring, “That freedom and equality are truly realized and indeed preserved for all communities in the U.S.” Just recommendations: with increasing violent attacks on the South Asian communities, it is crucial others take notice to end the discrimination.

The SAALT report also targeted the DOJ’s 2003 Guidance on the Use of Race by Federal Law Enforcement, arguing that it was critical to prohibit profiling based on categories of national origin and religion, and to end “suspicion-less and discriminatory surveillance” of the minority communities by law enforcement agencies and investigate law enforcement for discriminatory practices.

To read the complete report click here.

^{Feature image courtesy of assets}

COMMENTS

UTV Movies International Joins Forces with ATN-Asian Television Network

Ebola Crisis: Goes Beyond West Africa

Hot Spot: Holistic Spas In Ecuador

The World's Most Expensive Foods

Creative Inventions To Make Life Easy

Do's and Don'ts For DIY Home Improvements

Cancer Skin Care - Do's And Don'ts

Saudi Arabia Bans Men From Marrying Women From Four Foreign Countries

Honeymoon Destinations For The Month Of August

MISAFF 2014 Wraps Up With 'Meet The Patels'

Kettlebell Workout For Beginners

How To Get Over A Breakup

Tips For Travelling Solo

Pregnancy Support Tips For First Time Dads

MOSAIC 2014 Kicks Off Tonight

Over-Sharing In The Workplace

What Woman Should Tell Their Gynecologist

Finding Your Soul Mate

TD MOSAIC 2014 Ends On A High Note

5 Recipes To Make In Your Blender Other Than Smoothies

Staying Active With Your Family

World's Most Influential Cities

How To Look Prettier In Photos

Tattoo Removal 101

Tools To Throw The Perfect Ice Cream Party

Create Your Own JAAN Recipe For A Chance To Win $200!

Back To School Essentials

Tarot Reading: September 2014

How To Thrive During Times Of Ambiguity

Get To Know Your Grains

Frugal Home DIY Creations

Hotspot: Fiji's Poseidon Undersea Resort

5 Nutrients Your Body Needs

Comic Con India And Reed Exhibitions Enter Joint Venture

Exercises For Women Who Wear Heels

Why Carbs Should Be A Part Of Your Diet

Popular Free Online Dating Apps

Steps To Build A Healthy Brain

Morning Weight Loss Practices

HCG Diet: Is it Safe?

Unusual Places To Take A Luxury Vacation

Choosing The Right Contraception For You

Hot Spot: Andaz Hotel West Hollywood

Fall Trends For Ultimate Cabinetry

Tips To Improve Your Relationship With Your Mother-In-Law

Sugar Is The New Tobacco

How Not To Be An Overprotective Parent.

Post-Work Out Mistakes To Avoid

Ways To Make Your Relationship Better Now

Tarot Reading: October 2014

Essential Silicon Kitchen Gadgets

Inside the Male Brain when Dating

Asian Games: India Wins 11 Gold Medals

Get The Grand Spa Experience

Learning How To Be Thankful

Learn To Say No

Learning The Art of Small Talk At Work

10 Tips To Avoid Diet Disasters During Thanksgiving

Make A Perfect First Impression On A Date

Is The World's Best Medicine In Your Life?

Malala Yousafazi & Indian Activist Kailash Satyarthi Win Nobel Peace Prize

How To Stay Fit On Vacation

End Pain The Natural Way

Danger Of Energy Drinks

Celebrate DiwaliFest 2014 - Dance, Delight, Dhamaka Style

Two Grain Free Recipes You Need To Try

Pregnancy Myths Busted

Gain The Courage Not To Care

Diwali Celebrations Around the World

Soldier Killed, Gunman Dead: Terrorism In Canada

Tarot Reading: November 2014

Canada Dry DiwaliFest on NOW!

Dealing With Financial Abuse In Marriage?

A Bollywood Affair By Shonali Dev

Designer Inspired Cocktails

Brands Creating Awareness For Breast Cancer Month

South Asian Communities Under Suspicion And Attack

by Anokhi Admin

Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Middle Eastern, and Arab communities face an increasingly hostile climate in the US, according to a new report by an umbrella community organization.

COMMENTS

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE