That historic VP debate
For some Asian Americans, there are continued missed opportunities in these debates to address specific community issues for the fastest-growing electorate.
Issue #1
👋🏾Hi there —
Red, White and Brown first launched on Medium back in 2016 before the previous presidential election and was re-focused in 2018 with renewed vigor to spark conversations about culture and politics in the United States through the lens of South Asian American race and identity.
Last night’s vice presidential debate was historic with Sen. Kamala Harris — the daughter of an Indian woman and Jamaican man — debating Vice President Mike Pence. But while the event was relatively calm, do these aging TV debate formats serve and inform voters in the best way? I really wonder. Anyway, only an estimated 3% to 6% of voters are reportedly still undecided. Actor Kal Penn’s new show format, though targeted to young adults, seems to effectively try a new approach to voter education.
Beyond politics… This week, I’ve also been attending the virtual Coalition of South Asian Film Festivals (more on that to come). It’s got me thinking a lot about South Asian American representation across media and entertainment. We’ve come so far—but have a long ways to go.
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Thanks for joining the conversation,
Vignesh Ramachandran (@VigneshR)
Co-founder of Red, White and Brown Media
Latest RWB posts:
What was missing for (some) Asian American voters in the Harris-Pence debate
Sen. Kamala Harris and Vice President Mike Pence had a reasonably civil debate — but did we actually learn anything new? For some Asian American voters, there are continued missed opportunities in these debates to address specific community issues for the fastest-growing racial/ethnic electorate in the United States.
READ MORE
Kal Penn makes “broccoli” civics lessons more digestible
Freeform’s series “Kal Penn Approves This Message” breaks down American political issues for a young audience. As a mid-range millennial, I actually feel like I’m too old to be the target audience and a few of the gimmicks to appeal to young adults feel a bit desperate — but after watching the first three episodes, I won’t lie: I learned some things. I also appreciate Freeform for airing a South Asian American man doing the teaching — not the same old, same old.
READ MORE
“The Invisible Indian” highlights poverty in the diaspora
About 72% of Indian Americans age 25 and older had at least a bachelor’s degree in 2015 — the highest attainment out of any Asian American sub-group, according to Pew. In 2019, the Indian American community earned a median household income of $126,705, according to the American Community Survey. But that narrative doesn’t tell the whole picture, as a new report highlights. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and nonprofit Indiaspora estimate that 6.5% (about 252,000) of the country’s 4.2 million Indian Americans in 2018 were living in poverty. And here’s the thing: They estimate crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and recession could push that up to 10.1%. READ MORE
Remembering Indian singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
S.P. Balasubrahmanyam died on Sept. 25 in India, from complications after a COVID-19 diagnosis. “SPB,” as he was popularly known, was a legendary singer — the vocals to countless film songs in several Indian languages. He reportedly recorded more than 40,000 tracks in his career. It’s a strange feeling to mourn a voice you never met — but a voice that was part of your childhood soundtrack.
READ MORE
Spotted across the web:
“Kamala Harris and the ‘Other 1 Percent’” — Dinyar Patel, THE ATLANTIC
“Kamala Harris and a history of trying to define 'Asian American'” — NBC Kimmy Yam, ASIAN AMERICA
“How Asian Americans are fighting bias and racism in 2020” — Alvin Patrick, CBS NEWS
“Asian Americans go from lowest unemployment rate to one of the highest” — Scott Horsley, NPR
Also on the radar:
I’m a big fan of the Los Angeles Times’ podcast “Asian Enough.” It’s an old episode but I recommend this fascinating discussion with Vietnamese American novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen. I listened to it the other day during my daily pandemic Uncle Walks, which I have grown to love.
(Home) Watercooler conversations:
Doctor Uncles and Aunties have been warning us not to Google for medical advice online. Well ICYMI (in case you missed it), WebMD recently doled out some unsolicited advice themselves about a chai latte recipe in a now-deleted video tweet. South Asians across the world were not happy. Personally, I was not bothered and don’t think anyone “owns” recipes and should cry cultural appropriation claims for every single thing but … maybe it’s just not their cup of tea. WebMD got the message:
Your thoughts:
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