How fascinating and quickly inspirational has the news been that the Democratic candidate for President in 2024, Kamala Harris, has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her running mate. I had just written a commentary on “Kamala Harris for an Inclusive Presidency” to share my enthusiasm about her dual identity as an Indian-American and as an African-American – and my own personal identification with her capacity to translate that into an inclusive Presidency. And here she comes with a resoundingly personalized addition to my appreciation for her powerful image of inclusiveness! Continue reading “Tim Walz Adds to the American Political Mosaic”
Personal Reflections on US Immigration
In my opinion, the most striking and overlooked phenomenon in the United States is the dramatic demographic shift in the American population since 1965. The year 1965 may stand out in current American history books for the march on Selma, the Voting Rights Act and early protests against the US escalation in Vietnam. In retrospect, however, I believe that the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 will eventually be recognized in the history books, if it hasn’t already, as a far more transformative event than any of the others from that time period. Continue reading “Personal Reflections on US Immigration”
Kamala Harris for an inclusive Presidency!
About a week ago I posted a personal commentary about Indian Americans in America, one of whom happens to be none other than Vice President Kamala Harris . Oddly, I had not anticipated that she would so suddenly be transformed from her supporting role in President Biden’s re-election campaign to become the Democratic candidate for President of the United States herself! Here are some follow-up reflections on what this means to me in my personal attachment to the Indian-American community in the US. And I look forward to being actively involved in supporting her candidacy. Continue reading “Kamala Harris for an inclusive Presidency!”
Personalized Impressions of Indian-Americans in American Politics and Culture
The phenomenal upsurge of enthusiasm for Kamala Harris in July and August is inspirational for me to witness – and support. She brings a multi-ethnic background to her Presidential candidacy that is unique – and illustrative of how significantly the American population has become so diverse. While it is obvious that an over-emphasis on ethnic identities could also operate negatively, I am personally impressed with how immigration patterns of the past fifty years have become so well integrated into the American politic. And for me, it is how Indian Americans, in particular, have emerged as a significant presence in the American political world that has caught my eye.
Continue reading “Personalized Impressions of Indian-Americans in American Politics and Culture”
Musings on the French Revolution at the Salon du Livre d’Histoire in Grasse
The first “Salon du Livre d’Histoire” in Grasse, also described as a “Bouquet d’Histoires”, was held the weekend of 12-14 April 2024. I was curious enough to venture out on a sunny spring Saturday afternoon to see what it was all about. First, I joined a guided tour featuring the history of the French Revolution in Grasse itself. I was surprised to discover many landmarks that I had not noticed before. I then visited the salon’s official events in the Palais des Congrès. I met a young historian whose book on “Danton and Robespierre, Le choc de la Révolution” caught my eye. Continue reading “Musings on the French Revolution at the Salon du Livre d’Histoire in Grasse”
Comparing US and EU Recent Migration Trends
The United States has the largest foreign-born population of any country in the world (roughly 50 million). This is not the highest percentage of the population – many smaller countries have that standing (including Switzerland – but also Germany and Austria). With a long (albeit erratic) history of previous immigration flows, both voluntary and forced, the US is probably the most diverse country in the world. But the EU has also experienced comparably significant increases in migration and diversification. Without dwelling on the past, however, my commentary compares the US with the EU and explores the similarities and differences in the challenges they are facing and how they are being addressed. Continue reading “Comparing US and EU Recent Migration Trends”
International Women’s Day 2024: France the Pioneer
With cold and stormy weather in southern France keeping me at home on International Women’s Day, I watched wistfully as the sunshine shone on the large crowds gathered in front of the Ministry of Justice at the Place Vendôme in Paris. We were witnessing the formalities of enshrining a woman’s right to an abortion as an amendment to the French Constitution. And I didn’t have to be there in person to join the celebration. France is definitely the pioneer in what President Emmanuel Macron described as the “beginning of a struggle” to establish the right to an abortion as a universal right everywhere. Continue reading “International Women’s Day 2024: France the Pioneer”
European Migration Issues: An Introductory Commentary
Migration has become a prominent political issue in both the US and Europe. One could argue that it has always been a visibly controversial and divisive issue – and certainly so in the past ten or fifteen years. What is different this year, however, is how rapidly it has risen to the top of the political agenda both in the US and Europe. The heating up of the migration debate may be attributable to its easy manipulation by populists in a significant year for elections in both the US and Europe. But it is clear that the record numbers of people seeking to migrate have been aggravated by the unusual ways that the legal framework for what one might call “irregular” or “unauthorized” migration have come to dominate the debate. The following commentary assesses the European and French context of the migration debate, with some preliminary comparisons with the US context. A separate commentary is planned to reflect further on recent developments in the US. Continue reading “European Migration Issues: An Introductory Commentary”
Lamentations over “Realpolitik” – An Obituary of Sorts
I have been reading many of the obituaries of Henry Kissinger in the past few days. So far, only two have been a positive one, while the others (either by the editorial board or columnists or invited authors in FT, Politico, Washington Post, NYT, Guardian, Huff Post, New Yorker, Atlantic) have been mostly negative. Because of the way that his life affected my own career path, I am personally inspired to chime in to the hoopla. Here are my thoughts about why I do not align with the positives. Continue reading “Lamentations over “Realpolitik” – An Obituary of Sorts”
Slim Democratic Majorities in Virginia
The outcome of the state legislative elections in Virginia, held on Tuesday, 6 November 2023, produced narrow majorities for the Democrats in both houses of the General Assembly. In contrast to the alarming polarization and the populist takeover of one of the major political parties at the national level, this is an encouraging example of democracy in action. I include this chronicling of Virginia’s politics from afar in this series on “Democracy under Threat” with a bit of optimism while also recognizing the worrisome undercurrents that are evident even in Virginia. Continue reading “Slim Democratic Majorities in Virginia”