Creating a South Asian impact

Current statistics reveal that only about 30 percent of the South Asian community participates in U.S. presidential elections. Last weekend, the second annual South Asian Political Awareness Conference addressed issues of socioeconomic and sociopolitical participation at Houston Hall. About 100 students and community members attended the day-long event, which included speakers, a discussion and dinner. Saturday's conference showcased a performance by Hindi a capella group Penn Masala and a keynote address by Minnesota Sen. Satveer Choudary. This year's theme was Making Our Mark -- mobilizing communities to make a political impact. The first speaker, Animit Bhattacharya -- a member of the Asian Advisory Council for Mayor in Philadelphia -- was involved in South Asians for George W. Bush. "The Republican stance on family values and foreign policy reflect important ideas in the South Asian community," Bhattacharya said, adding that the Republican platform appeals to business owners within the South Asian community. Bhattacharya also discussed the importance of religion, saying that as South Asians, "We have to educate the public on what Hinduism is really about." Arvind Rajogopal, a professor of Culture and Communication at New York University, addressed the struggles of South Asians within America's racial context. "The racial hierarchy has become endlessly reproduced in this society," he said, noting that South Asians may desire to identify with whites at the top of the hierarchy but, often, only gain access too lower positions because of their ethnicity. Rajagopal went on to discuss minority relations in general. "We're not eligible for affirmative action yet we are minorities and experience discrimination," Rajagopal said. "This leads to resentment on the part of South Asians." The event also featured Chhaya Kapadia, the chief technology officer of Hautedecor.com. Kapadia was named Silicon India's woman of the month for November 2000. Kapadia said that she stood up against gender limitations during her childhood in Bombay and as a woman in the male-dominated technology field.