ASIAN AMERICAN voters could play a pivotal role in New Jersey's elections Tuesday, Nov. 7.
The growth of the Asian/American population in New Jersey has done two things: 1. The New York Times published an article about the mounting influence of the South Asian electorate; and, 2. Caused racists to come out of hiding.
Another racist flyer has popped up in the last minute linking a Sikh/American candidate to terrorism.
The flyers, which were placed on car windshields, depict candidate Ravi Bhalla, who is running for mayor of Hoboken, wearing the traditional turban of his Sikh faith. Beside his photo, in bold red letters, the fliers read, “Don’t let TERRORISM take over our town!”
“The repugnant racist tactics represented in these campaign materials do a disservice to the welcoming community that New Jersey truly is," said James Sues, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations -NJ. "This is just a painful reminder of the extreme divisiveness that characterizes current political climate at the national level.”
The New York Times noted that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Daniel Murphy visited a construction site for a Hindu temple. “It was a recognition that the South Asian community in New Jersey is a force — a force that cannot be lumped in with Asians in general,” said Rajiv Parikh, the lawyer for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.
“I think there has been an awakening and a lot of it has to do with this transition from the immigrant mentality to the first- and second-generation mentality,” said Parikh in the NYT.
“Folks like myself who grew up here understand the importance of government and making sure that your voice is heard,” he said. “If you don’t go and do the work, you’re not going to effectuate change for yourself.”
The number of South Asians in the state has grown dramatically in recent decades. In 1970, there were fewer than 50,000 Asians in New Jersey, according to state data. By 2010, there were more than 725,000.
Bhalla responded on his Facebook account Saturday (Oct.4).
"We won't let hate win in Hoboken," he wrote. "I want people to know that Hoboken is a welcoming community where my wife and I are proud to raise our two young children. No matter your religion, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, you are welcome here in our City. And as Mayor, I will work hard to make sure we keep it that way.
"I want to use this incident as an opportunity to affirm to each other and our children the value of living in a diverse community where we are judged by the content of our character - not by the color of our skin or how we worship. At this time in our nation’s history when we have a President who seeks to divide us, it is critical that we come together as a community and stand up for American values."
"I want to use this incident as an opportunity to affirm to each other and our children the value of living in a diverse community where we are judged by the content of our character - not by the color of our skin or how we worship. At this time in our nation’s history when we have a President who seeks to divide us, it is critical that we come together as a community and stand up for American values."
Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante tweeted that police are investigating this as a potential “bias crime.”
The flyer makes accusations similar to flyers released by one of Bhalla's opponent Michael DeFusco . DeFusco claimed that the flyers were designed to look like it came from him. He condemned the fliers and said they did not come from his campaign.
The Hoboken flyers came just two days after a racist postcard was mailed to voters in Edison, NJ targeting Asian School Board candidates with the slogan “Make Edison Great Again.”
“The repugnant racist tactics represented in these campaign materials do a disservice to the welcoming community that New Jersey truly is," said James Sues, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations -NJ. "This is just a painful reminder of the extreme divisiveness that characterizes current political climate at the national level.”
The New York Times noted that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Daniel Murphy visited a construction site for a Hindu temple. “It was a recognition that the South Asian community in New Jersey is a force — a force that cannot be lumped in with Asians in general,” said Rajiv Parikh, the lawyer for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee.
“I think there has been an awakening and a lot of it has to do with this transition from the immigrant mentality to the first- and second-generation mentality,” said Parikh in the NYT.
“Folks like myself who grew up here understand the importance of government and making sure that your voice is heard,” he said. “If you don’t go and do the work, you’re not going to effectuate change for yourself.”
The NYT article noted the potential for a couple of firsts for South Asians. If Bhalla wins his contest in Hoboken, he would become the first South Asian mayor in the state. Vin Gopal, former Democratic chair for Monmouth County, could be the first South Asian in the state legislature in his Senate race for the 11th Legislative District.
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