Next week, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) will launch a new report,
From Macacas to Turban Toppers: The Rise in Xenophobic and Racist Rhetoric in American Political Discourse, an inventory and analysis of xenophobic rhetoric in the political spectrum, and a call for a return to civility in the political sphere. Here's an excerpt from the report:
"Xenophobia and racism have no place in political and civic discourse. Yet, a pattern of such rhetoric continues to exist in America's political environment today. For decades, African Americans and Latinos have been subjected to racist rhetoric in the political sphere. More recently, as this report shows, South Asians, Muslims, Sikhs, and Arab Americans have been the targets of such rhetoric by public officials and political candidates from both sides of the aisle. Even more alarming is the use of xenophobia and racism to stir negative responses to political candidates of South Asian descent."
SAALT will be releasing the report at a media event, with several speakers, next week in Washington D.C. Here are some details:
SAALT Launches Report on the Rise of Xenophobia in Political Discourse
WHAT:
South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a DC-based, national non-profit organization fostering civic and political engagement, is launching:
From Macacas to Turban Toppers: The Rise in Xenophobic and Racist Rhetoric in American Political Discourse
WHO:
HILARY SHELTON
Director of the Washington Bureau of the NAACP
ARSALAN IFTIKHAR
International human rights lawyer and founder, TheMuslimGuy.com
DEEPA IYER
Executive Director, SAALT (South Asian Americans Leading Together)
PRIYA MURTHY
Policy Director, SAALT (South Asian Americans Leading Together)
WHEN:
Wednesday October 27, 2010
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
WHERE:
National Education Association
News Conference Room
1201 16th St., NW
Washington, DC 20036
Closest Metro: Farragut North (red line)
Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 26 via email at info@saalt.org (Subject: "Oct 27 Launch")
For more information about South Asian Americans Leading Together, go to the SAALT website
here.
