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There is a general apathy within the South Asian population when it comes to politics. Maybe it’s because our parents and the generations before us have always viewed politics as corrupt and simply a game of deceit and money, or maybe it’s because we just don’t know why to care.
Statistically speaking, South Asians have the potential to be incredibly influential in politics, especially locally. Let’s look at Sugar Land for instance. In 2006, a census estimate approximated that about third of the residents were Asian, which means that there are more than 21,000 Asians in Sugar Land and that is a number that is certain to have grown in the last 4 years. In 2006, the Congressional Race for TX-22, which represents Sugar Land, Stafford, Deer Park, Pearland, and Galveston was decided by 11,200 votes.
Why should we vote? Because the concentration of South Asians in the southwest side of Houston is only increasing and we have an ability to shape how our community will look tomorrow and years after that. We are slowly seeing an increase in the number of South Asian Candidates running for office in county, city, and state level politics, and that trend will only increase in the coming years. What is needed along with more South Asian candidates is more South Asian citizens participating in the electoral process.
How to participate?
Vote. If you are an American Citizen, you have earned the right to vote for the candidate of your choice. Go to the polls during the primaries and on Election Day in November. The next big chance to vote is on March 2nd, 2010 in either the Republican or Democratic Primary (Both will be occurring at the same polling location). Early voting begins February 16th till the 26th. Go Online to your County’s website for poll locations and timings.
In Fort Bend County, you can register to vote at the DPS Office or at www.co.fort-bend.tx.us . When you go vote either take your driver’s license or your voter registration card. Once again, for polling locations and times, voter registration, and election dates simply go to the county website.
Donate. For those who can afford to, another option is to give a little to a candidate who you believe in and agree with. You may be surprised how much 50 dollars and 100 dollars can go in helping a local campaign. Well-funded campaigns are more likely to win, so donating is a critical way in which you can support someone who truly represents you.
Remember political participation is one of the freedoms you and your family obtained when joining the citizenry of this country. Your issues and your concerns can only be heard and acted upon if you choose to participate. Every vote matters and every vote matters even more in local elections. When most local elections are decided by thousands or even hundreds of votes, having a South Asian Community that is over 100,000 people strong in the Greater Houston Area means that our community can in fact swing elections.
We are a minority, but we are a large and powerful one. It is up to each and every one of us to vote and convince everyone we know to vote as well. Stop being apathetic and let us say as a community that every election from now on will be decided by us. Because the numbers don’t lie. We have tremendous political power if we choose to use it.
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