Agreed. The number of American-Bengalis I have had the good fortune of meeting online and hearing about their organising has been nothing short of inspiring. Really dismissive to think otherwise and that S Asians (usually Indo-Pak) haven’t been visionary in their politics. https://twitter.com/aishagani/status/1325551660542943232
I will share some links on here of the (mostly) Bengali community organising in the US. I don’t even live there but seeing people making reductive ‘hot takes’ has meant coordinating w/ US Bengalis and have gathered some links. Thanks, @thahitun for helping me out w/ this.
So, meet AOC’s former chief-of-staff, Saikat Chakrabarti. An American-Bengali who fought hard to get her the win first time round. https://thebengalstory.com/english/meet-saikat-chakrabarti-the-bengali-american-chief-of-staff-of-the-feisty-new-york-congresswoman-alexandria-ocasio-cortez/
Meet Saikat Chakrabarti, the Bengali-American chief of staff of the feisty New York Congresswoman...

In early January this year, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress. There are many other things that catch your attention about this feisty...

https://thebengalstory.com/english/meet-saikat-chakrabarti-the-bengali-american-chief-of-staff-of-the-feisty-new-york-congresswoman-alexandria-ocasio-cortez/
The Bengali organizer behind Alexandria Ocasio’s campaign

Her name’s Naureen Akhter https://medium.com/bangladeshiidentity/the-bengali-organizer-behind-alexandria-ocasios-campaign-f52a459ac1eb
The Bengali organizer behind Alexandria Ocasio’s campaign

Naureen Akhter didn’t prepare for a career in politics. And then, the 2016 elections happened.

https://medium.com/bangladeshiidentity/the-bengali-organizer-behind-alexandria-ocasios-campaign-f52a459ac1eb
Bengalis organising Mutual Aid groups to support their local communities. Much like in the UK, the working class have been mostly hit by covid. https://www.gothamgazette.com/city/9609-bangladeshi-community-hard-hit-coronavirus-government-failure-vulnerable-new-yorkers
Especially Hard-Hit by Coronavirus, City’s Bangladeshi Community Sees Failure of Government to Help...

Bangladeshis at a past gathering (photo: John McCarten/City Council) When Shippon Hoque, a Bangladeshi green cab driver from Astoria, Queens, started to feel unwell in early March, it quickly dawned...

https://www.gothamgazette.com/city/9609-bangladeshi-community-hard-hit-coronavirus-government-failure-vulnerable-new-yorkers
A Wave Of Leftist Bangladeshis Lands In New York

https://champ.gothamist.com/champ/gothamist/news/wave-leftist-bangladeshis-lands-new-york?__twitter_impression=true
Bangladeshi New Yorkers Form Their First Tenant Union https://www.thecity.nyc/queens/2019/10/8/21210764/bangladeshi-new-yorkers-form-their-first-tenant-union
Bangladeshi New Yorkers Form Their First Tenant Union

Seeking strength in numbers, Queens tenants who trace their heritage to the south Asian nation band to challenge exploitative landlords.

https://www.thecity.nyc/queens/2019/10/8/21210764/bangladeshi-new-yorkers-form-their-first-tenant-union
New Bangladeshi-American Political Group Sets Sights On Queens https://patch.com/new-york/jackson-heights-elmhurst/new-bangladeshi-american-political-group-sets-sights-queens
New Bangladeshi-American Political Group Sets Sights On Queens

New political organizing group Bangladeshi Americans for Political Progress launches Wednesday in Jackson Heights.

https://patch.com/new-york/jackson-heights-elmhurst/new-bangladeshi-american-political-group-sets-sights-queens
South Asian American activism must go beyond viral stories, advocates say https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1230596?__twitter_impression=true
South Asian American activism must go beyond viral stories, advocates say

“We have been walking in the footsteps of the civil rights movement, but many of us don’t seem to recognize what it is that made us prosper in this country."

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1230596?__twitter_impression=true
A political awakening’: how south Asians could tilt key US elections

https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/03/south-asians-us-election-2020?__twitter_impression=true
WhatsApp forwards and phone calls: How South Asian groups have been mobilising voters in the US

@thahitun quoted here for the work she does w/ @BAPPnyc

https://amp.scroll.in/global/977467/whatsapp-forwards-and-phone-calls-how-south-asian-groups-have-been-mobilising-voters-in-the-us?__twitter_impression=true
So, next time you see bland takes about South Asians not organising, maybe take a step back and reach out to those on the ground doing the leg work. It’s always those who’re doing none of that that indulge in hot takes.
Here’s a piece by @azadessa where he interviewed activists in NYC, incl @thahitun

Again, let no one tell you South Asians aren’t visionary or don’y understand beyond electoral politics.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-elections-2020-biden-trump-white-supremacy
NYC South Asian Leaders Say Community COVID Toll Undercounted

https://www.thecity.nyc/platform/amp/coronavirus/2020/4/26/21247099/nyc-south-asian-leaders-say-community-covid-toll-undercounted?__twitter_impression=true
Mutual aid grows in popularity during protests and pandemic

https://www.marketplace.org/2020/06/04/mutual-aid-grows-in-popularity-during-protests-and-pandemic/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
If you have other links, plz feel free to share them on this thread. I’m conscious that I’ve shared most links related to NYC although I am aware there are those organising in other cities too. Please add as many as you want ✊🏾
You can follow @DrFatimaRajina.
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