America is a country of immigrants. For centuries, people from all over the world have immigrated to this country in search of better economic opportunities. People representing different cultures and nationalities settled here and earned economic and social distinction, while preserving their cultural traditions. Generation after generation, these people waged political struggles to get benefits, services and rights for their respective communities. The African-American community’s political struggle is an example. Through political and social struggle, their enlightened leaders secured rights for their community, which today benefit members of other minority communities as well.
Our Pakistani community is a bit different. As a group, we have no interest in American politics nor do we try to take part in it. Though we live here, we avoid participation in the social activities or holidays of this country. There can be numerous reasons for this, but for the moment, I want to talk about the role of the Pakistani community in mainstream American politics.
If the political activities of the Pakistani community in America are analyzed, it becomes clear that even here, the focus is the political scene in Pakistan. Sure we love our country, and this love grows while we are overseas. But, we need to evaluate whether it is appropriate to participate in Pakistan’s political activities while living in the United States, or if we should take an active part in mainstream American politics. In fact, are our “leaders”—who do politics in the Pakistan People’s Party, Pakistan Muslim League, Jama’at-e-Islami, and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement here in America—responsible for our indifference? Truthfully speaking, all these parties are involved in Pakistani politics and have nothing to do with politics here.
In foreign lands we are known as Pakistanis and not as members of the Muslim League or the People’s Party. That’s why, in my opinion, Pakistanis living in the United States should take a more active role in the politics of this country. We should rise above our political affiliations and work collectively for the well-being and prosperity of the Pakistani community. The hard times faced by the American Muslim community, and the Pakistani community in particular, since the September 11 terror attacks demand that we too should have a united voice. We too should have a political platform from where we can raise our voice and further the interests of the community. It is obvious that we cannot raise our voice for the rights of our community from the platforms of the Pakistan People’s Party or the Pakistan Muslim League. We have to become part of the mainstream American political system.
The first stumbling block is the fact that Pakistani community members do not register to vote—the percentage of voters is dangerously low even among those who have already registered. This single fact illustrates the level of interest we take in the American politics.
Traditionally, American politics starts at the local level. The School Boards and the Parent Teachers Associations are considered training grounds for politicians. Individuals elected to these institutions later take part in city, county, state and national politics. Yet, with a few exceptions, we see no Pakistanis in American politics. In states such as New York and New Jersey, where a large majority of Pakistanis live, we don’t see a single community activist involved in politics, even at the city level. We have “presidents,” “vice presidents” and “secretaries” of the different Pakistani political parties and newspaper organizations in our midst, but there is an acute shortage of those who actually participate in the political system of America.
