• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
South Asian Network

South Asian Network

JOIN OUR E-MAIL LIST DONATEEXIT
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our History
    • Our People
    • Impact Stories
    • Partners & Allies
    • Funders & Supporters
  • Programs & Services
    • AWAZ: Voices Against Violence
    • CHAI: Community Health Action Initiative
    • CCE: Citizenship & Civic Engagement
    • EMH: Emotional & Mental Health
    • REQUEST A SERVICE
  • Resources
  • Media
    • Blog
    • In the News
    • Press Contacts
    • Newsletters
    • Gallery
  • Calendar
  • Engage
    • REQUEST A SERVICE
    • Donate
    • Contact Us
    • Work with Us
    • Volunteer

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

July 1, 2022 by Cynthia Chockalingam

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.

BACK TO OUR PEOPLE BACK TO BLOG BACK TO OUR STORIES

Footer

South Asian Network

southasiannetwork

Your Wellness Wednesday tip of the week! Swipe to Your Wellness Wednesday tip of the week! Swipe to learn about how balancing exercise and a good diet can help lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes. #healthandwellness #wellnesswednesday #healthiswealth #nonprofitorganization #southerncalifornia #southasiannetwork #diabetes
It’s Wednesday! Here’s your wellness tip of th It’s Wednesday! Here’s your wellness tip of the week. Back to school days are here; swipe to learn about how to keep children healthy, happy, and focused. :) #wellness #wellnesswednesday #backtoschool #southasian #nonprofitorganization #southerncalifornia #southasiannetwork #healthandwellness
Welcome to Wellness Wednesdays, our new weekly ser Welcome to Wellness Wednesdays, our new weekly series! We will be sharing facts around health and wellness, along with tips on nutrition and exercise to encourage and maintain the good health of our community. Hope you learn something new! #wellnesswednesday #southasiannetwork #nonprofitorganization #southerncalifornia #health
Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between brother Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. During this annual celebration, the sister ties a rakhi (a bracelet/amulet) around her brother's wrist to symbolize the responsibility that he has towards protecting her. Happy Rakhi to all that celebrate!

#rakhi #rakhi2022 #southasian #celebration #nonprofit #california #southasiannonprofit
Snippets from our 4th Annual Citizenship Celebrati Snippets from our 4th Annual Citizenship Celebration! 🎈A fun, encouraging afternoon spent together with those we helped through their naturalisation, Irvine Mayor @farrahforirvine, Artesia Councilmember @ali_sajjad_taj and Lauren Yokomizo from the office of Supervisor @supjanicehahn #citizen #unitedstates #nonprofitorganization #southerncalifornia #southasiannetwork
This weekend, SAN is hosting an event to celebrate This weekend, SAN is hosting an event to celebrate all those we helped with their naturalisation process! There will be lunch, keynote speakers, SAN service and photo booths! 🎈 #unitedstates #naturalisation #citizenship #southerncalifornia #nonprofit #southasiannetwork
Spent the weekend doing what we love; investing ti Spent the weekend doing what we love; investing time in our community’s well-being and progress. SAN held a yoga event with @soulfitnessla and a citizenship clinic at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Buena Park! 🤍

#communityoutreach #nonprofitorganization #southerncalifornia #southasiannetwork
Without consent, any sexual advancements and activ Without consent, any sexual advancements and activities are considered sexual assault. Make sure you take the right steps to help your partner feel comfortable.

#consent #sexualassault #awareness #survivorsupport #dvsupport #southasian #nonprofit #california
Join us on Tuesday July 26th to learn more about o Join us on Tuesday July 26th to learn more about our upcoming volunteer events and find where you can get involved! We'll have engagement opportunities through each of our units and we would love to see you there. Zoom link in bio.

#volunteer #nonprofit #nonprofitvolunteering #domesticviolenceadvocate #mentalhealthsupport #communityhealth #civicengagement #california
Don't ignore the importance of protecting your men Don't ignore the importance of protecting your mental health! SAN is here to guide you through the journey of improving your mental health. Reach out to learn more today.

#mentalhealth #menthalhealthmatters #southasian #therapy #southasiantherapy #freetherapy #freecounseling #nonprofit #california
SAN offers group workshops to help survivors heal SAN offers group workshops to help survivors heal and recover from their experiences. Reach out to learn more today!

#groupworkshops #southasian #support #domesticviolence #sexualassault #california #southasiannonprofit
Say hello to our newest family member! #nonprofit Say hello to our newest family member! #nonprofit #southasian #resources #southerncalifornia #southasiannetwork
Please do not hesitate to reach out to SAN for sur Please do not hesitate to reach out to SAN for survivor support services through our AWAZ Unit.

#sexualassault #domesticviolence #survivorsupport #nonprofit #southasian #socal #freeservices #dvsurvivorsupport #sasurvivorsupport
LA's Lotus Festival showcases the people and cultu LA's Lotus Festival showcases the people and culture of the Asian & Pacific Islands. SAN participated at the #41stlotusfestival health fair and was able to help our community with free Covid-19 PPE including at-home test kits and masks! 

#healthfair #lacounty #nonprofitorganization #southerncalifornia #southasiannetwork
Water and light snacks will be provided. Please br Water and light snacks will be provided. Please bring your own yoga mats if possible! #yoga #fitness #mindfulness #meditation #healing



18173 Pioneer Blvd., Suite “I”, Artesia, CA 90701
Phone: 562-403-0488 • E-mail: saninfo@southasiannetwork.org
Office Hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday.


Copyright © 2023 · SOUTH ASIAN NETWORK

site credits