Letters from Readers
Thanks for a timely and wonderful article
I appreciate and completely understand Nandini Patwardhan’s fabulous article (“Merit and Its Discontents,” May issue). Not only is she spot-on but also takes on a topic that the liberal left attacks constantly. So I say to my leftist liberal friends—you can have the turf only if you mow the grass.
You see, they don’t want to mow the grass but still want a wonderful lawn. They want their kids to go to the best schools and colleges but don’t want to put in the hard work . . . yes, this includes “taking an active role in the child’s education, understanding the educational environment, and to keep informed about the school and the system.” The truth is this: Behind every successful child is an involved parent/mother/father/grandparent/etc). Believe me, being involved is really, really hard work. And yes, if you are involved, you will know that there is a also a registration deadline, when there is a science or history club getting formed. You will know when extra curricular activities are being teed up. You will know how important the next PSAT is for your child’s education. Yes, you will know you need to figure out what extra help (or coaching) your child needs to get them prepped for college. You see, you just gotta be there. Some call it tiger mom. Nandini (and I) call it taking an active role. Always. Fab job and a wonderful read!
Sonu Mirchandani
An active parent, teacher, coach.
Entrepreneurship Faculty and Program Coordinator College of Business and Technology, ETSU
What’s wrong with Georgia’s new election law?
As I have been thinking about the article by Syeda Bano (“Opinion: The 2020 Desi Voter,” Khabar.com), it has sent me down memory lane.
I came to U.S. in ’90s and have voted in many elections thus far. I have been very happy to see a 91 percent increase in voter turnout as compared to the 2016 election. Rather than being offended by any voting laws, I have always felt very happy and proud after voting. I was not aware of any voter suppression laws designed to keep our desi community away from the decision-making table.
This opinion article implies that the new Georgia Election Integrity Law will threaten both early voting and voting-by-mail methods that 85 percent of Asian American voters used. I am trying to understand how this law impacts our desi community. I am a concerned citizen like everyone else. I don’t identify myself as a Democrat or Republican. And I confess that my understanding of these laws is limited.
As I understand it, if requiring voter ID for absentee ballots is voter suppression, then requiring ID when voting in-person is also voter suppression as is requiring ID for boarding planes or for purchasing alcohol and tobacco products.
I see that this law clearly provides advance voting periods for all citizens. So, if a desi who travels more wants to utilize advance voting, then I am sure there are many U.S. citizens of all races who may similarly be traveling. I understand that this law reduces the amount of time that the voters have to request absentee ballots, but then it impacts all Georgia citizens of all races equally. In fact, I personally feel that our desi community will be the one least impacted.
If possible, please provide some examples on how this new Georgia Election Integrity Law impacts our desi community which will help improve my understanding.
Ramgi
by email
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