Today, the world woke up to news that Barack Obama had been elected the 44th President of the United States. Considering that voter turnout on November 4th was considerably high, CHUP thought it significant to speak with several Pakistani-Americans about their experiences prior to and at the voting booth. Ramez Qamar, who works for The Resource Group, felt this election was historic, noting, “Americans have been more eager to participate in this election than any in recent memory.” He added, “The atmosphere at the voting stations was one of energy and optimism. I noticed several younger people taking time out from work or school to vote and I was pleased at the number of families that came together to participate as well.” Eman Patel, a program coordinator for an international development NGO, echoed, “The atmosphere at the polls was very encouraging – the focus of the elections seems to have become more about energizing people to get out and vote rather than about partisan beliefs…It says a lot about civil society when children that young are concerned about voting and are aware of their rights.” Law student Fahd Patel further noted, “I feel that more people consider it [voting] to be a civic duty than ever before.”
For Mossadaq Chughtai, the founding director of the Pakistani American Leadership Center [PAL-C], choosing who to vote for was not a difficult decision. He noted, “Though voting for Obama is a risk, it was one worth taking.” Maria Saadat, a student, expressed her frustration with the current policies and crises, adding, “Therefore, like many voters, it was most important for me to pick the candidate I felt had the most potential to offer change, regardless of which party I belong to.” The deciding factor for her, she said, came down to the candidate’s previous voting record and past performance, noting those were an indication of how they would perform as President. For Ramez, his decision came down to issues related to the economy and foreign policy, emphasizing he voted for a candidate who would “help regain America’s standing in the world and contribute to it’s citizen’s prosperity.”
Given that Pakistan has been a major topic in this election cycle, did the candidates’ stances impact Pakistani-American voters? For Fahd, McCain and Obama’s proposed policies on Pakistan affected his decision yesterday, “because of the geopolitical sitation…what’s good for Pakistan is good for the U.S.” Maria, on the other hand, asserted, “I think no matter what each candidate says they will do in terms of Pakistan, the real outcome is unknown. A lot of the President’s policies towards such nations are not simply for him to decide. Congress and the Cabinet play a big role in these foreign relationships.” Mossadaq echoed, “As we all must keep in mind, policy about Pakistan would depend on the candidate’s foreign relation team members.”
Whether President Obama will bring the change he has promised remains to be seen. However, there is no doubt that his campaign ignited the country and inspired many who were never interested in politics to invest in their country’s future. That in itself is revolutionary and made the outcome last night all the more significant and memorable. [Image from Dawn]
For a related source, read Frontline/World’s special, “Pakistani-Americans Stand Up,” part of their Elections 2008: The World Is Watching series.
[...] group, taking time, voter turnout, voting booth, voting record, voting stations Read more at: CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan This post [...]
@ Pakistani-Americans, are they really playing any
role in American ” Say ” , they are certainly in thousands
and thousands in all fields working and contributing,
whether its medical science, technologiy, business, hard
labour or Education. Do they really know the value of their
OPINION ?
Do they express themselves freely on US media, TV Radio,
written presse etc. ??
What sentiments have they preserved towards their
motherland Pakistan ? from where they were educated,
paid for, brought-up, spent thousands of $ on their
up bringing by their Pakistani parents and families.
Do they still have attachment to their customs, culture,
religion. What concrete activiities their associations offer
them and their families ?
Welcome back to CHUP Rafay,
In terms of Pakistani-Americans, I can provide you with my observations, since I have many friends that are first generation Pak-Americans, and have come to know their families – I know that people from the Pakistani diaspora in general (and I’m sure you know more than I do about this) are very responsible for sending funds and money back home. This is equally if not more true for Pakistanis in America – they are a tight knit community in the Virginia/DC/Maryland area, and throughout various areas in the country.
They certainly have remained very attached to their customs, culture, and religion – especially the culture. Eid celebrations here are very similar to those back home in Pakistan, for example.
While I am not sure how organized the Pakistani-American voice is in the U.S. – I think as Pakistan has become an increasing important topic in the U.S. and in the news, more and more are speaking out here and taking a vested interest in the state of affairs back home. I don’t want to speak in generalizations though, so I’ll allow a Pakistani-American to fill in the gaps.
@ Rafay Kashmiri,
I think the problem with many people who view Pakistani-Americans is that they see us all as “ABCDs” or American-born Confused Desis. What you have to understand is that you need to step away from this stereotype and see the other Pakistanis that make up the culture of America.
I find it funny when someone assumes a Pakistani living in America has no cultural ties to Pakistan, when in fact BECAUSE we live abroad, we adhere MORE to Pakistani culture because we need to feel connected to our homeland. We speak urdu more than the kids in Pakistan probably do right now, we say our prayers and speak of religion probably more than a lot of kids in Pakistani schools, and our Eid celebrations are not just another chance at a party like many of those in Pakistan, but rather a coming together of Pakistanis to make us feel like we are still one significant cultural Pakistani unit in this vast nation of multiple ethnicities.
As for our voice, we are getting there. Every minority has had to make their impact in America, we are not the exception. African Americans have been in this country for hundreds of years, and only now are they witnessing a black president. Latinos have been here much longer than us, and they are starting to see congressmen and public officials. Pakistanis are fairly new to America, and while we voice our opinion through many council members (yes there are Pakistani members of city councils), we are still working to get our voice heard.
We have many prominent scholars who speak on tv, my own cousin is one of them. He is an educated Pakistani with multiple degrees and is striving to make the Pakistani voice heard. And there are many more like him. So yes, we value our voice and know the importance of our opinion. But as I said, like every other minority in this country, we need a little time. This doesn’t solely apply to color, remember the women’s suffrage movement at the beginning of the 20th century? Change doesn’t happen over night. It takes time, and Pakistanis haven’t had enough time in America. We will get there, though, because there are enough of us who will make this change happen.
As for our ties back to Pakistan, I’m leaving for home in less than a month. Yes, I said “home.” Home, where my family is, where my ancestors came from, and where I go and help people with my foreign-earned “thousands of US dollars”.
See you in Lahore,
M.
Rafay: It is extremely unfair of you to criticize the efforts of young Pakistani Americans. Whether they have played a crucial role in the past or not does not matter. This election has changed the outlook of young Americans (regardless of their ethnicity) and we should encourage the Pakistani Americans to continue participating and stand up for themselves as both Americans AND Pakistanis.
Maria S: Your comments about Pakistani Americans being more religious, speaking more urdu and celebrating Eid more fervently are also unfair. The majority of Pakistan’s youth is poor and believe me they are not attending any frivolous Eid parties while conversing in English. Perhaps you have based your judgement on the minority of wealthy Pakistanis that are able to come to the US for college. Nonetheless, your participation in the election as a Pakistani American along with your assistance to people back home is commendable. Keep it up.
@ I was delighted to hear from you ladies, about
Pakistani-American life in USA and some highlights
on their aspects
@ Kalsoom
@ Maria S
sorry, I just pressed the wrong button, here I go again,
some highlights on their social aspects, some of the remarks are very interesting and good to know the other side of
atlantic, how things going on there among Pakistanis,
I don’t know that continent, as I am living in the heart of Europe, we only watch American way of Life as it is
seen on the screen, this morning I called on to my American
friend who happens to be the President of American
Democratic party of Europe, Luxembourg branch, and
congratulated him, he was so happy and ” relieved ” on
Obama’s election, next week, have a meeting with him,
I ‘ll be dicussing Pakistan and Pakistanis living in USA. So
atleast I have some ideas from you two ladies now.
Kalsoom
I was amused by your title ” welcome back to chup !!!
Maria,
you will be going to Lahore, you lucky you !!
Lahore, Lahore aey !! as they say
jinay lahore nei wekheya, au jammea ei nein !!
I have seen half a dozen times, so I can’t remain Chup !!
cheers
@ Nasir,
As I did not pass any judgement, I can not be unfaire,
I hope the elections would change the life on the whole
in USA, specially after the financial disaster and current
Central Asian and Iraqian policies and not to forget
Afghan disaster. We ought to be prudent.
Goodluck
@ Nasir,
Nasir, before telling me that I am making unfair statements, I wish you would have read Rafay’s comment first, the comment I was responding to. He was basically speaking about middle class Pakistani Americans who have the money to educate their children here. I was merely responding to him by comparing myself to those in Pakistan of the same economic class as me and many others who frequent this blog. I was by no means demeaning the poor, nor even speaking of them. Nor was I saying we are better than Pakistanis in Pakistan, I was making a comparison for Rafay to understand the dynamic of Pakistani culture where I live. As an aside, if you believe that it is only the minority of Pakistanis who have money and are educated abroad that party like rockstars, you really need to make a trip back to Pakistan.
I understand where you were coming from, but again, before making a comment about something I’m saying please read the context I am saying it in.
@ Rafay,
Thank you for your kind comments about my most amazing hometown. Lahore Lahore ae indeed! I can’t wait to be back.
Cheers,
Maria S.
@ Another drone attack by US & allies inside Pak
territory, south Waziristan, minim 10 civilian children
women dead ,many injured badly.
Barak Obama, what do you say on that,
Pak Army must retaliate and attack those drones and
US Army inside Afghanistan, if they are undable ! than
let the civilians look after this problem, Pakistanis must
fight back, there is no other way.
@ Maria S:
The context did not come across when I read this as it did not refer to a certain segment and you used broader language when you said “kids in Pakistan” and “Pakistani schools.”
Perhaps the problem is that middle class in the US does not equate to middle class in Pakistan. The average Pakistani middle class household makes about ten/fifteen thousand rupees a month, if that, sends their kids to public boys/girls colleges and they entertain themselves by going to the local bazaars for ice cream or maybe watching a movie in the newly renovated cinemas. Their life consists of constant struggles in Pakistan, not parties. Since I live in Pakistan, luckily I don’t need a visit back ‘home’.
Anyways, its good to hear that are close to your culture and religion. Enjoy your visit.
Rgds,
Nasir
@ Nasir
Again, Nasir, the context I was referring to was in relation to Rafay’s original post. You cannot read one without the other. Also, because you misunderstood my original post, I clarified by explaining to you that I was comparing myself to those of the same economic class as me, while calling myself a middle class American, I did not specifically equate middle class America to middle class Pakistanis. And, even if I did, middle class Pakistanis are not simply those who earn 10-15 thousand rupees a month. Today, those who earn this amount sadly fall in into the category of the lower classes. There are many who are earning far more, i.e. up to 50, 60 thousand, and no, these people are not part of the “elite” for they still struggle to make ends meet in today’s world.
Secondly, I don’t know where you live, but in Lahore, the average middle class person may be earning 10-15 thousand rupees a month, but these kids are not simply entertaining themselves by going to local bazaars. Either you are completely disillusioned within your class by living a sheltered life or you belong to the so-called “elite” and are not aware of what goes on.
Either way, maybe it’s better for all of us that you have a more optimistic view of what goes on in the Pakistani middle classes. It leaves me a little more hopeful for Pakistan’s future.
Cheers,
M.
There is a very small middle class left in Pakistan, and that maybe is where the problem lies. I have a great amount of respect for this segment of our society. They are the moderate Muslims that are educated yet not completely westernized.
With the cost of food, gas and basic utilities going up, the middle class has disintegrated and all we are left with are those that are struggling to make ends meet and on the other end of the spectrum those that don’t seem to be effected at all, aka the ‘elite’ you mention.
Living in Pakistan permits me to hear the day to day stories about people’s struggles that a simple visit once every two to three years wouldn’t allow. I agree optimism is key, but lets not confuse that with naivete.
Nasir,
Just like you accuse me of making assumptions, you are doing the same. Please do not presume how many times a year I have visited Pakistan, nor how much time I have spent there.
When I make comments about your posts or your knowledge, I do them based on what you are saying. You, on the other hand, are simply making assumptions on what you “think” my connection with Pakistan is, rather than anything I have said. And, sir, that is not fair play.
M.