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Political arena faces rise in racism: SAALT
By siliconindia
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Tuesday, 09 November 2010, 09:20 IST
Washington: A disturbing 'rise in xenophobia and racism in the political discourse' that is being directed against South Asians, Muslims, Sikhs and Arab Americans has been pointed out by a new report from South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT).
The more than 30 page report given out by SAALT executive director Deepa Iyer to the media at a Web briefing and teleconference in Washington, D.C. "From Macacas to Turban Toppers: The Rise in Xenophobic and Racists Rhetoric in American Political Discourse," details scores of racially and ethnically disparaging comments made against these groups by nominated officials and other political candidates since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The catalogue of incidents in the report is 'not meant to be exhaustive,' and the study provides a 'tool set' on how individuals can respond to prejudicial statements, including tracking incidents, writing letters demanding apologies and reporting racially charged comments to political parties and organizations like SAALT, explained Priya Murthy, SAALT Policy Director. Priya said that all but 10 of the incidents detailed in the report occurred during election years. The word 'macaca,' a pejorative term used by French colonials in Central Africa to refer to the native population, was used by U.S. Senator George Allen in Virginia in 2006 to refer to an Indian American supporter of his opponent. It is believed that the incident led to Allen's defeat in 2006.
There were no less than 11 ethnic or racial slurs targeting political candidates of South Asian pedigree and 32 remarks that branded Muslim, Arab and South Asian Americans with terrorist profiles. An example of the latter was an account made in August 2006 by former U.S. Senator Conrad Burns of Montana, who said that the U.S. is 'up against a faceless enemy' of terrorists who 'dive taxicabs in the daytime and kill at night.' Burns also called Arabs 'rag heads' in speaking about increased oil hikes.
Hilary Shelton, director of the Washington bureau of the NAACP, said that as 'the economy has gone down; hate groups see this as a great occasion to enlist.' Murthy and Iftikhar urged minority leaders to form more coalitions to work across racial precincts on racial justice. 'The problem of one American is the problem of all Americans,' Iftikhar said.