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“Independence Day: From What & From Whom?” – Shakeel Syed

July 1, 2022 by South Asian Network

Shakeel Syed wrote this Op-Ed about Independence Day, the path this nation has been down since our independence, and how independence from the British centuries ago has not meant independence for all.

______________________________________________________________________________

We know that the lonely Native American female warrior as the statue of freedom atop the Capitol Dome was cast in bronze by a foundry that used enslaved labor. No different is lady “liberty” (in New York), which was also erected by the enslaved.

And, the White House could not be standing shining all these years if not for the sweat of the enslaved blacks.

Without forgetting this sordid past, let’s fast forward.

The claims of the more recent Presidents occupying the White House ranged from: “Government is not the solution to our problem, Government is the problem,” (Ronald Reagan) to “Money is not the only answer, but it makes a difference,” (Barrack Hussein Obama) to the most recent one by the orange hair monster “Make America Great Again.” In these words, there’s very little of greatness and a whole lot of pettiness. Here is why.

Our petty Presidents and politicians of all persuasions continue tounashamedly plot policies that set back the lives of 99% Americans and advance the lives of the 1%.

Our petty Presidents and the Congress always find ways to give more to thewrongly named “Defense Department’s” budget of $800+ billion, while neither are ashamed to trim down the resources to education, healthcareand other social services.

Today’s Supreme Court is like the Torquemada of American law. Tomas de Torquemada, the 15thcentury Dominican friar who became the grand inquisitor of the Spanish Inquisition, who was largely responsible for torturing and the burning of heretics. The modern Tomas de Torquemadais yet to be found with bloody instruments in their hands, but they are the owners of their blood stained pens banishing women of their rights to their bodies.

While the “free” America continues to insist for a safer world for herself, at any cost, it fails to protect her very own.  Every day, armed men and women wearing blue uniforms kill unarmed black and brown men and women.

The most dramatic wealth gap is between middling millionaires, who have seen only “modest” gains, and the booming billionaires, who now seem to defy economic gravity.

We claim our nation to be the richest, but it is more debt-ridden and even more debt-dependent than ever before. This indebtedness is what Thomas Jefferson feared the most when he said, “I place economy among the first and most important virtues, and debt as the greatest of dangers to be feared.”

While celebrating this Independence Day let us not forget the immeasurable human pain and poverty that continues to exist amidst us, and let us continue to fight for the oppressed and against the oppressors, in it we shall find our true collective independence and not by waving the cheap Chinese made American flags!

——–
Shakeel Syed is the Executive Director of South Asian Network.

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Geared towards serving, supporting, uplifting, and educating Southern California's South Asian community

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Wanna know how it all went down? 👀✨ Watch the Wanna know how it all went down? 👀✨ Watch the magic from Roots & Resilience unfold. 

Roots and Resilience wasn’t just an event, it was a space filled with truth, joy, and connection. From powerful panelists to grounding workshops, every moment reminded us that healing isn’t linear, but it is possible especially when we do it in community 💕✨

Thank you to everyone who showed up, shared, and held space with us 🪷

#RootsAndResilience #HealingInCommunity #SouthAsianWellness #SANHealing #southasian #southasiannetwork
We came together to honor our stories, our healing We came together to honor our stories, our healing, and the strength we carry individually and collectively.

These moments, grounded in reflection and rooted in community, remind us why we do this work and why we keep showing up. We’re so grateful to walk alongside you in it. From powerful panelists to grounding workshops, every moment reminded us that healing isn’t linear, but it is possible, especially when we do it in community.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, shared, and held space with us. We’re walking away with full hearts.

Rooted in Love, Rising in Community 🪷💕✨

#RootsAndResilience #HealingInCommunity #SouthAsianWellness #SANHealing #southasian #southasiannetwork
Paused, reflected, recharged 💫 Half a year in Paused, reflected, recharged 💫 

Half a year in, and we’re still leading with heart (and snacks). 

#TeamSAN #sanfam #halfyearretreat #retreat #community #fun #southasiannetwork #nonprofitorganization #nonprofits
Our 2nd Annual Job Fair is officially a wrap!🧡 Our 2nd Annual Job Fair is officially a wrap!🧡

We’re still riding the high from such a full and beautiful day. From on-the-spot interviews to resume tips, real conversations, and community support, the energy in the room was something special.

Huge thank you to everyone who came through, job seekers, employers, volunteers, and our team. We’re so glad we got to do this again, and we’re already thinking about next year!

#JobFair2025 #CommunityPower
#SouthAsianNetwork #CareerConnections
#BuildingFutures #nonprofitorganization #southasiannonprofit #san
Still looking for a reason to pull up to Roots and Still looking for a reason to pull up to Roots and Resilience tomorrow? 

Here are FOUR 🎤🌿

✨ Rishi R. Gune
✨ Dr. Sipra Sengupta
✨ Mohini Gima
✨ Dr. Armaan Rowther

Wisdom, warmth, and real talk! Don’t miss this powerhouse panel!
TOMORROW, Saturday, June 28 | ⏰ 4–8 PM
📍 Cypress Community Center

#RootsAndResilience #SouthAsianWellness #HealingThroughHeritage
✨ Meet Our Hiring Partners! ✨ We’re proud t ✨ Meet Our Hiring Partners! ✨

We’re proud to welcome these incredible organizations to the 2nd Annual Job Fair hosted by South Asian Network!

Whether you’re job-hunting, career-switching, or just exploring, don’t miss your chance to connect 💼🙌

📍 154 S. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004
🗓 June 26, 2025 | ⏰ 12:00–6:00 PM

#JobFair #SouthAsianNetwork #CareerConnections #LosAngelesJobs #CommunityPower
Our communities deserve to feel safe and informed. Our communities deserve to feel safe and informed. Join us this Wednesday, June 18th for a virtual forum to learn your rights when dealing with law enforcement or ICE, plus travel tips during this time. 

Translations available in multiple South Asian languages.

Zoom | 6–7:30PM
Register at the link or scan the QR code!

#KnowYourRights #SouthAsianSolidarity #ImmigrantJustice #SANCommunity #southasiannetwork #san #nonprofits #community #safety
Our communities deserve to feel safe and informed. Our communities deserve to feel safe and informed. Join us this Wednesday, June 18th for a virtual forum to learn your rights when dealing with law enforcement or ICE, plus travel tips during this time. 

Translations available in multiple South Asian languages.

Zoom | 6–7:30PM
Register at the link or scan the QR code!

#KnowYourRights #SouthAsianSolidarity #ImmigrantJustice #SANCommunity #southasiannetwork #san #nonprofits #community #safety
As we prepare for this South Asian wellness forum, As we prepare for this South Asian wellness forum, our hearts are grounded in community care and collective healing. 

In a time when LA is holding so much, we’re reminded why spaces like these matter, to gather, to listen, to nourish, and to rise together.

This event is our offering, a space to reconnect with heritage, reflect with compassion, and root ourselves in resilience. Join us June 28 for a day of workshops, art, and powerful community.

RSVP: Link in bio

#RootsAndResilience #southasiannetwork #southasiannonprofit #nonprofit #southasianvoices #HealingThroughHeritage #CommunityCare #SouthAsianWellness #MutualHealing #WellnessInAction #CypressCA #SANetwork
This father’s day, we’re honoring immigrant fa This father’s day, we’re honoring immigrant fathers, celebrating their successes and wins, yet simultaneously, we’re holding deep in our hearts the fathers and families that have been inhumanely torn apart by an unjust system. So much of what we stand for, so much of what our fathers have taught us, has been about justice, equity, and community. We’re wishing everyone warmth, strength, and love in these challenging times, and drawing hope and inspiration from the fathers that came before us, that worked tirelessly, to build a life of stability. We’re fighting for fathers, for mothers, for families to be united, to be safe, and demanding justice for those affected by state sanctioned violence.
We’re coming together this Friday, June 13 at 2: We’re coming together this Friday, June 13 at 2:15 PM for a powerful Day of Solidarity at the Islamic Society of Orange County.

Join faith and community leaders as we reflect, connect, and stand in unity with our immigrant and undocumented neighbors. ✊🏽❤️

Your presence matters. Let’s show up for each other.

#southasian #southasiannetwork #nonprofit #DayOfSolidarity #CommunityPower #ImmigrantJustice #FaithInAction
Navigating Job Portals: Online Workshop 💼 Look Navigating Job Portals: Online Workshop 💼

Looking for a job? Learn how to search smarter, set alerts, and stand out to employers! 

Join us for this free virtual session to get ready for the Job Fair on June 26, 2025!

Date: June 11, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Click the link in our bio 
Passcode: 812522

📲 Scan the QR code to join instantly!
📩 Questions? Email saninfo@southasiannetwork.org or call 562-724-0681

#JobPrep #SouthAsianNetwork #CareerReady #JobInterviewTips #CommunitySupport #LAJobs #SouthAsianVoices #JobFair2025 #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerWorkshop #southasiannetwork #san #southasiannonprofit #nonprofits
This is what showing up for community looks and so This is what showing up for community looks and sounds like, messy, moving, real. No trending audio, just heart and hustle. A day in the life at SAN, unfiltered! 

Today, SAN alongside our powerful partner orgs @cairgla, @advancingjusticesocal, @caimmigrant, @instabaji, @blmgrassroots, @napafasa showed up and fought back against the travel ban enacted by the Trump administration. We then joined voices at Grand Park LA, standing in solidarity to demand justice and freedom for David Huerta. This is what community resistance looks like. 

#ResistTheBan #southasiannetwork #san #nonprofit #southasiannonprofit #CommunityPower #SolidarityInAction #SanctuaryForAll
Instagram post 18043566716632422 Instagram post 18043566716632422
Instagram post 17921622041980551 Instagram post 17921622041980551
Travel Ban Protest! Protesting the Travel Ban and Travel Ban Protest!

Protesting the Travel Ban and demanding justice for immigrant communities.

📍 Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B)

#ProtectImmigrants #laxprotest #southasiannetwork #nonprofit #southasiannonprofit #san #cairla
🛑 KNOW YOUR RIGHTS 🛑 In times like these, s 🛑 KNOW YOUR RIGHTS 🛑

In times like these, safety starts with knowledge. Our Community Safety Cards are available in Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Nepali, and Bengali, created to support and protect our South Asian communities.

💡 Download yours today at southasiannetwork.org/cce-resources
or hit the link in our bio

#KnowYourRights #SouthAsianNetwork #CommunitySafety #ImmigrantRights #CCE
Join us at LAX on Monday, June 9 to protest the Tr Join us at LAX on Monday, June 9 to protest the Travel Ban and demand justice for immigrant communities.

📍 Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B)

🕘 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

#ProtectImmigrants #laxprotest #southasiannetwork #nonprofit #southasiannonprofit #san #cairla
Eid Mubarak from all of us at SAN! 🌙✨ May thi Eid Mubarak from all of us at SAN! 🌙✨
May this day of Eid al-Adha fill your homes with light, your hearts with love, and your communities with strength.

#EidAlAdha #CommunityLove #SANCelebrates #southasiannetwork #nonprofit #southasiannonprofit
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