Muslim Democratic Leader Receives Threatening Emails. Hate Crime Charges Filed

posted by Randall

Back in March Faisal Gill made news, becoming the first Muslim to lead a state political party.

In May the chair of the Vermont Democratic Party received three threatening emails within a one week period.

Now Vermont Public Radio reports hate crime charges have been filed against the man who allegedly sent those … Read more

Five Asian American Films Set to Air on National TV

posted by Louis Chan

By Louis Chan
AsAmNews National Correspondent

The Center for Asian American Media is announcing the TV debuts of five documentaries by Asian Americans airing on national television in the coming months.

The documentaries will air on PBS’ POV or the World Channel’s new showcase, … Read more

Update: California Rejects Removing India from History Books

posted by Randall

UPDATE: Early Friday morning after most people had gone to sleep, the California Instructional Quality Commission rejected a proposal to replace the word “India” with “South Asia” in history books used in California public schools, reports First Post.
 
The … Read more

RT: South Asian Immigrant Detainees Go on Hunger Strike

posted by Randall

 

While many of us indulged in Thanksgiving feasts this holiday weekend, some 100 South Asian  detainees being held at four immigration detention centers went on hunger strikes, reports. RT.

The hunger strike which began Wednesday are being staged to protest their indefinite detentions … Read more

#SAsianSHeroes Twitter Chat This Thursday 6 PM Pacific, 9 PM Eastern

posted by Randall

   AsAmNews will join Brown Girl Magazine, Muslimah Montage and Love, Inshallah for a #SAsianSHeroes Twitter chat this Thursday at 6pm PST/9 EST.

Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with a #TwitterChat.

“The chat will be an educational/historical discussion about the many South Asian women who have made a difference in our communities,” said Trisha Sakhuja, … Read more

Outgoing SAALT Executive Director Deepa Iyer on the evolving South Asian American Community. @dviyer

posted by Randall

(Note from the editor: After ten years as Executive Director of South Asians Americans Leading Together, Deepa Iyer is stepping down. Iyer is in a unique position to comment on the growth of the South Asian American community over that time. She agreed to answer a few questions for AsAmNews.)

How is SAALT different today … Read more

Aerogram: Should South Asians Stop Calling Themselves Desi?

posted by Randall

The term “desi” has long been used in the South Asian American community to refer to each other. It has most always been used in a positive sense as an expression of ethnic pride.

But communities change as they grow.  South Asian Americans have certainly advanced light years in the last decade both in … Read more

Christian Science Monitor: Miss America Puts Spotlight on #Indian Americans

posted by Randall

Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri is putting the spotlight on the growing prominence of Indian Americans in the United States.

Her Bollywood dance routine before a national television audience won her a standing ovation.

The Christian Science Monitor reports 3.4 million people in the United States have family ties to South Asia.

80 percent of … Read more

Times of India: Obama Nominates Nisha Desai Biswal for Key Post at State Dept

posted by Randall

Nisha Desai Biswal has been nominated to a key post in the State Department by President Obama, reports the Times of India.

She’ll be the first Indian American and South Asian American to head the South Asia bureau in the State Department.

Desai will oversee US foreign policy and relations with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, … Read more

Xinhua: American Killed in Terrorist Attack in Pakistan

posted by Randall

The Xinhua News Agency is reporting that a Chinese American is among the 11 killed in a terrorist attack in Pakistan, according to the Chinese Embassy.

The attack took place at 12:30 a.m. local time Sunday  in a hotel at the foot of Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world.  Authorities say … Read more