I know three Dave's and each one has a sister. But I have a sneaking suspion this Karina who loves Rabbits and does research for Mc.Gill.

Next? Well, I'm working on two things. One is a video game with a South Asian theme (which I can't talk too much about for legal reasons). And the other thing is a feature film which will begin shooting this June. It is about a Sikh American who is kidnapped by some Americans who happen to think that anyone with a turban is a terrorist. As you know, after 9/11 many Americans and Canadians of East Indian ancestry were victimized for no other reason than their appearnce. It's a drama which pretty much takes place in one location. I'm very excited as it will be my first film and the support from the community is immense to say the least.

That's about it.
Jess

Nadia...I believe this is the quote you were referring to:

"History will be kind to me for I intend to write it." Sir Winston Churchill

Well, at least there will always be people like
me challenging his fiction...ohh, I mean history.

Nice call Nadia. That's truly a fitting quote to this thread.
Jess

KC WROTE:

greetings from dc
jessi,

it appears you've really written about a passionate topic that hadn't been given due attention in cananda. i read this thread with interest. i'm quite looking forward to reading "lions of the sea".

as an asian-u.s. american, i'm curious to know if you know of historical institutionized racism and hardships the indian american community has faced like the Komagata Maru voyage.

keep up the great work and activism.

kc


Everyone KC is a graduate student in Washington with a non-profit organization geared toward development in Ghana. KC, you might want to post your link so people can see what you're all about.

To answer your question truthfully, I don't know. I'm not sure about institutionalized racism in America but I know it was there, i.e., Jim Crow.
But I think the main point with East Indians in Canada is that they were subjects and Canada was a colony. White subjects of the empire robbed Indian subjects of the empire of their fundemental rights.

jess

Good

YEH THO BAHUTH BADIYA CHAL RAHA HAI! Its always good to include such topics which can unite us irrespective of one's experience in canada(which caused problems among "DESIS" itself).

"GORVO" HUM KO TUMSE GARV HAI!

Okay guys, I contacted a very well respected journalist in BC on the Apology
Issue and this is what he had to say:

“No, there hasn't been any kind of
apology to the community at all. There has been some
mentions of the matter in Parliament from time to time
- but nothing in the way that the Japanese or others
have received. In fact - a couple of years (ago)- a
petition was sent from the community here asking that
the government officially recognize the wrongs done to
the community, ie Komagata Maru tragedy, but nothing
has come off that. Community leaders from time to time
keep on trying but it hasn't really come out in
Canadian mainstream circles or the mainstream media
like the other tragedies have. You should keep
insisting on the apology and those who claim it happened -
tell them to show you the proof, because all such
things are registered in Parliament's books.”

Thank you Paul Dhilon for taking the time to get
Back to me on such an important issue. And so fast!
Jess

Jessi (not Jesse...right?),

I bought the book and quite frankly I`m speechless. I cannot even begin to tell you how much you inspired me! Seriously, you opned my eyes to a story that I think all Canadians should know about...Those passengers were amazing and I just wanted to know two things...is Sunny based on a real character? Did that incident with the guy with the turban really happen? Did he really give ALL his money to their plight?
That`s my favorite part in the book and you describe so well!!!

" The oppressed can overcome anything if they stick together. The shore committee, much to Hopkinson`s disapproval, held a meeting in an empty, run-down hall last night where many men spoke to the local Indians abought our plight, our troubles, and how we, soldiers of the empire, farmers of the empire, lions of the empire were being treated like dogs by corrupt officials who would break any law, blurt any lie, and forge any document to kepp the "hindu invader" from landing. The men spoke vehemently and the crowd roared their anger, but when there was a call for pledges , a deathly silence fell over the people. Their heads fell, for they missed their families immensely and every dollar they saved was a day closer to home. ..Conflicted men held their heads down. After a moment, a young man stood from his seat with great difficulty. Heads began to rise.."

Well I don`t want to type the whole passage. I just wanted to tell you that this waas the most amazing part in the book(just shows the goodness and self-sacrifice of our people). Great job!!! Do you think we have change much since? Somehow I just don`t see that happening today? Any thoughts?

Thank you ji
NK

Just finished reading your beautiful and inspiring book.
Thoroughly recommend it to everyone as it is such a pleasure to read .

As I am from Australia..I would just like to draw your attention to our poor refugees from the middle east who have been gaoled in Woomera Detention Center in the middle of no-where.
Entire families(hundreds of them,mind..)little children...
They are on a hunger strike at the moment and have sewn their lips together.
It is summer here at the moment and temperature can easilly pass 40D.C.
The press have been kept away and this is a direct violation of human rights.
This is all happening here in this 'civilized' country!Things haven't changed much!
The Australian immigration minister is a cold heartless person who mumbles his excuses and skirts all questions.
There have been uprisings and suicides and the women are treated with disrespect.
The young men are removed from the women at the tender age of 14.
They spend years in detention with no news on the progress of their applications to gain Auttralian Residency.
It muct be so frustrating and hopeless!
Surrounded by 12 foot barbed wire fencing much like a concentration camp!
Most are from the middle East.Some are forced to return to God knows what!
Families torn apart.No-one listens to them.

Please voice your concern by contacting human rights organizatios and by looking up the Woomera Detention site and passing the word around.
The Australian Government should be ashamed of themselves.
E.Mail the autralian Immigration department to let them know that the world is aware and watching.
Thankyou.Windswept.(Tanya)