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ELEVEN YEARS: so much inaction.

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I say this yearly now, but my heart can't take it. Every year people honor the victims and heroes of NYC, and while I agree wholeheartedly with that sentiment, it ignores an aching sore in the American hear-- what about Balbir Singh Sodhi, an elderly Sikh-American racially targeted the next days after 9/11? What about the thousands of hate crimes and racially charged incidents all over the United States, United Kingdom, and the world over? What about the communalism and divisiveness that has only grown more pointed since 9/11?

Last year was the 10th anniversary. One decade. The mayor Antonio Villaraigosa came to USC to make a speech. There were initiatives made, promises whispered, the resounding response seemed like it had a reasonable chance for success. One year later, and we have already grown complacent. We have barely integrated our new charges into those established initiatives. We have barely brought up this national tragedy, relegating it to a generic Facebook post or Twitter update. To millions of Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim Americans, it's their well being and life on the line. Do not forget. Do not forget how much you hated them, assumed of them, attributed to "their people". Their people are your people.



It is remarkable that this community feeds of tragedy. Oak Creek, however mutinous and scary, was a call to action and arms. A reminder that we are not yet safe, but the power to be lies with us.



All my love to the victims of all these tragedies, hate crimes, racial slurs, and general ill-feeling.

For more information: http://saalt.org/

Xoxo,

Maithreyi

Update: 11pm PST

So today, I went downtown, phoneless (it had died at my office). I had my iPad so I knew I could text anyone with an apple product or facebook account, so I thought I'd be fine. It's down the street, I said to myself.

So very wrong.

I made my way down the Expo, board in hand for the short ride down Wilshire.

Then MY WORLD GOT ROCKED. In the very worst way.

I was walking and boarding towards an onslaught on police cars and helicopters. Every red flag in my brain said not to keep walking, but I also knew I had no means to call for help. I finally got to my destination, one block from the scene of the gunfire. Shaking, crying, pounding the door down until someone answered. Thankfully, Nate from APALC did! I regrouped and joined the timely discussion hosted by API-Equality LA at their general coalition meeting about ELEVEN years & 9/11.

Here's an article detailing the incident: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/09/multiple-shots-fired-at-end-of-police-pursuit-authorities-say.html

If this isnt a wake-up call, I don't know what is.

Xoxo, love to DTLA! I'll be back for you tomorrow!

Maithreyi



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