My apologies for not making a post earlier this month as I was waiting for the final outcome of my job application (heavy favorite) for the NYC Department of Education in a data analyst role. I’ve researched the biographies of local elected officials, and there seems to be a simple formula for success: 1) Work as a civil servant for a few years; 2) complete standard life benchmarks; and 3) seek political office. I thought the job was in-the-bag, but the universe (i.e. higher power) works in mysterious ways.
The employer had delayed their final decision by an additional two weeks. Within that time, a family reunion trip and the political candidate training had passed. The latter journey was transformational in coming to terms with my American identity and personal values. The blog post will cover the following: [Content warning: discussion about genocide]
- Story: Facing my American Identity
- Make Art, Not War
- What are your American Values?
- Call to Action?
Story: Facing my American Identity
Earlier last week, I visited Raleigh, North Carolina for a candidate training program hosted by New American Leaders. New American Leaders focuses on getting first-generation Americans prepared to run for political office. Before the program start, I visited the cultural centers and green spaces in Raleigh. In the North Carolina History Museum, I learned about the state’s history with slavery and its devotion to the “Southern Cause”. The museum curation was effective in invoking the sympathy of Southerners as people despite their conviction of the enslavement of black Americans. Side note: The popular appeal of the epic film, “Gone with the Wind”, over generations has puzzled me but I understand it now. It’s rooted in white-supremacy and victimhood (losing the Civil War). This rage extended past Reconstruction and led to oppressive Jim Crow laws.
In the training, the first exercise focuses on participants reflecting on their own personal stories that defines their character. Some common themes include family, values, and gratitude. Often the parents that immigrated to America have experienced great hardships and intergenerational trauma. The “life event” that motivates me to help others indiscriminately is my father sharing his story for the first time with tears rolling down his eyes…
As a teenager, my father was a freedom fighter for his country, Bangladesh. While traversing in India, his platoon’s location was compromised. He approached a villager’s house with a woman inside. He begged and pleaded for his life for her hide him from enemy soldiers (tears were streaming as he shared this). The woman did not disclose his location.
This experience was transformative because I had never seen my father so vulnerable, and the amount of respect he had toward me to even share his story. I’m alive today because of the kindness of an unnamed stranger in a remote village… Every person and act of kindness matters! I identify as a global citizen. Note: the picture is just before my family immigrated to America, my dad is holding me; custom flag design by me
On the following day, the next exercise had participants share about their culture from a surface level. Several uncomfortable realizations of my American identity resurfaced which include the following:
- During the Bangladeshi Independence War, the American government backed Pakistan which committed civilian massacres. This sentiment is countered by the Concert for Bangladesh (good song) organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar.
- Growing up as a teenager during post 9/11, the bi-partisan passage of the Patriot Act stripped the civil liberties of Muslim Americans and, of course, “random” security checks of brown persons.
- American imperialism continues to persist for decades and the expansive policies on the dehumanization of civilian casualties in military operations under both parties.
During the group share, I only shared the first two points. In general, I do not ever express my anti-imperialist views to non-socialists because 1) it makes regular people uncomfortable; 2) there is bipartisan support; and 3) it’s innately against American government policy.
The next exercise involved writing your stump speech, and my speech incorporated the values of a global citizen. Overall the NAL training was very effective, and the panelists were knowledgeable and inspirational. The program’s approach to improving participant self-confidence is essential for candidates’ appeal, charisma, and strengths. In addition, my fellow cohorts were amazing people who were driven to take action and there was late-night dancing. Things were looking up…
Unfortunately, while in Atlanta, the return flight to NYC was canceled in Atlanta. With several participants, we rescheduled an earlier flight to DC for the next morning. I arrived at DC Union Station and had a few hours to spare. I visited the National Museum of American Indian. Initially, I was enjoying it, the first exhibit had contemporary American Indian artists use traditional techniques in modern expression. The second exhibit covered American Indian history and their eventual decimation. The general themes were
- The brief moments of peace between settlers and Indians always ended with their removal (i.e. benevolent dictator is not long-term peace)
- The genocidal laws passed on American Indians were widely debated contemporarily
- The founding fathers fully understood that America was a colonial project and that economic prosperity could only happen at the expense of the American Indian.
It was the second half of the exhibit when I started to tear up. The images of assimilation made me feel sad and upset. Once I saw the images of elderly women and children famished and assimilated, I was overcome with emotions, and I started to sob and had to leave the exhibit immediately. The sobbing lasted for several minutes as my brain connected to the active genocide that was happening in Gaza. The thoughts that were running in my head:
- How can Americans continue to support this genocide?
- Immense suffering is happening at this moment and nothing can be done
- I’m a coward for not speaking out. Anger was directed toward myself
For me, emotional breakdowns are rare. As my mind composed itself, I recognized that an authentic leader has integrity in the face of opposition. I felt strongly compelled to take bold action, but also understood that I should not act hastily. I saw a protest flyer and wanted to shout to the world.
For the next 16 hours, my brain was in an ADHD productive overdrive, where I was afraid that I could not sleep. I’ve messaged the employer about the job application and the political advocacy policy for employees. They promptly replied with a rejection, and then I spent the entire day sleeping (under a sleep spell). I experienced many vivid dreams capturing heroic events and intricate storylines (wrote down one scene). I believe these visions were aimed at directing my energy away from the ‘warpath’. Once I got my senses, I accepted that my utmost priority is finding a meaningful paying job, and displaying my integrity more modestly….
Disclaimer: It’s important to discuss mental health, I was “fortunate” that my traumatic experience did not trigger a hypo-manic phase.
Make Art, Not War
This is a scrapbook collage of my trip that I shared with my peers. You can learn about my inner thoughts on the Instagram post. The symbolism of the piece is quite profound showing respect to the American Indian (their military service) and the newer generation of New American leaders. It evokes joy, hope, awe, and integrity.
What are your American values?
Facts don’t matter, values do. Democratic colonial American values excluded the dignity of blacks and the American Indian. America is a democracy, and our collective values can officially shape American values. This exercise is meant for the reader to assess their own values. Note: it’s biased toward a direction.
Please answer the following truthfully with (Yes & No & Maybe)
- Do you acknowledge the American Indian genocide committed by prior American government?
- Do you acknowledge the ICJ (International Court of Justice) ruling that Israel is committing probable genocide and the ICC (International Criminal Court) arrest warrant on top Israeli officials (Hamas officials were included) for violations of war crimes?
- Do you agree that America should abide by the international rulings listed above?
- Do you agree with the freedom of speech?
- Do you agree that Americans have the right to criticize a foreign nation’s national policy without punishment and/or prejudices?
- According to current law, are Americans that criticize Israeli government policy considered antisemitic? [If not sure, look it up]
- Do you agree that American elections should be directly influenced by foreign powers?
- Do you agree that American elections should be directly influenced by Russia?
- Do you agree that American elections should be directly influenced by AIPAC (American Israeli Public Affairs Committee) and other Israeli lobbyist groups?
- Do you agree with using non-violent protests (sanctions, boycotts, divestments) aka BDS to pressure change in Israeli policies?
- Do you agree with local governments implementing anti-BDS laws? (See state list)
- If you were in Nazi Germany AND you are living in the present lifestyle, would you risk your livelihood to protest the rounding of Jews?
If I’m being honest, the answer to the last question is, “No”, because like Nazi, Germany; America is an authoritarian state. Openly opposing state policy can be subject to imprisonment, and black-listed from employment opportunities. In other words, would you risk everything including your family’s well-being to just express an opposing opinion? It is absurd that we live in a society, where our “common”* values suppress basic speech.
*Note: Democratic actions and values often represent the majority view, whereas the minority view can be disadvantaged. The Bill of Rights was supposed to provide ‘universal’ protections to the minority. In American history, free speech has been openly violated numerous times.
Call-to-Action?
After putting some considerable thought, there are three courses of action (immediate, intermediate, long-term) with the understanding that long-term action provides a permanent solution. Right now citizens can intermediate action by contacting their lawmakers and demanding an immediate ceasefire. [Link here]
For long-term action, citizens have limited leverage with their votes as there is bi-partisan support for imperialist policies. Personally, begging politicians to be decent human beings is demeaning. Peaceful diplomatic foreign governance can only be normalized in the public sphere with a competitive third-party vote that offers this option. Even if the candidate does not win, there is electoral pressure for the mainstream to adopt their position… just imagining a future with third parties seems surreal. However, I possess chaotic (i.e. transformative) energy, and anything is possible [Take the Leap!]. Regardless, I need to 1) research the local electoral system; 2) devise a collaborative third-party electoral strategy and 3) engage with the third parties in NYC.
Concerning voting, I encourage my audience to vote on their conscious ORRR vote strategically for a third party. Did you know that if a third party gets 5% of the vote in the general election, they get access to millions of dollars in public funding, and do not spend millions on lawsuits and collecting signatures to be on the ballot? In addition, the voting third party in non-swing states does not create a “spoiler effect” for either major candidate and lays the foundation for third parties in future elections.
Concluding Thoughts/ Ask
I don’t know what my destiny will be but I do know that financial security needs to be my highest priority before pursuing nobler pursuits. If anyone knows any non-profits that allow some freedom of political advocacy that would be ideal. I have skills in data analytics and general community organizing. Thank you for reading.
Sustain-Abu 