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8.30.2013

Angry Reader of the Week: Karthick Ramakrishnan



Here we go again. Friends, it is time meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Karthick Ramakrishnan.


Who are you?

Karthick Ramakrishnan. I'm building a new site called AAPIData.com which pulls together crucial data on our communities. It's in beta till May 2014, so let me know (via Twitter) what you'd like to see on there.

What are you?

Professor, proud father, information activist (great to see that someone coined that term).

Research and data are too important to keep bottled up.

Where are you?

Right now, in Chicago. Just got done with an incredible community forum on AAPI civic engagement that Advancing Justice - Chicago organized. Community leaders, state representatives, and staffers from Governor and U.S. Senator offices showed up, wanting to learn about our voting patterns and policy priorities.

Exciting to see that level of engagement here. Gotta step it up, New York and California...

Where are you from?

So far, I haven't lived in the same place for more than 5 years. India, Canada, Mass, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Nor Cal, So Cal. So Cal is nice enough that we might stay put for a while.

What do you do?

Prof at UC Riverside. I run the National Asian American Survey, which gives a detailed look at where we stand on important policy issues ranging from immigration and taxes, to school bullying and environmentalism.

I also write books and articles, and I talk to reporters whenever they call.

What are you all about?

Living life to the fullest. Solving problems. Having as little drama as possible.

What makes you angry?

Our communities have been here for nearly 400 years, we are growing like gangbusters, and yet--we remain invisible. We all need to do our part, using the skills we have, to change that. The time is ripe for it.