“Tip-Toeing Loudly”: Conversation as the Antidote to Apathy
Abhay Dandekar, MD
It’s been quite a month. Since a ready-on-day-one Vice President Harris took the political baton of her party, the pace and energy of a slow and inevitable campaign have dramatically shifted into a fast and destined one. A slow dribble up the court that turned into a fast break. Better yet, an “alaap” that quickly became a “taan”. In Chicago, the American voting public saw joy in politics after a long time and a crystal clear contrast of their presidential choices. Exuberance and energy are lighting the skies of democracy, appropriately timed right between the 4th of July and Diwali.
At the heart of any movement, though, there is grassroots conversation. And yet many of us have shied away from talking about politics with each other, especially in a very polarized climate and in diverse and often purple environments. Given the stakes of this election cycle, how do we now “tip-toe loudly” around civic discourse?
The heavy lifting in preparation for November 5th, especially in mobilizing and activating our South Asian American community, is just beginning, and might start with some basic reckonings. First, our diasporas are certainly not monolithic. While many are feeling seen and heard with the prospect of representation, there are equally many who may feel disengaged and even dyspeptic about the politics of the past decade. Does Kamala Devi Harris have enough to bring these voters some needed relief from “pale, male, and stale”, with a relatable sense of connection?
Second, our communities straddle a lot of very distracting yet compelling intersections. There are those whose attention to the American government is rigidly anchored to their personal stances on South Asian geopolitics. Is Presidential candidate Harris going to present arguments that combat disinformation and build enough trust and confidence that a truly great American future is essential for partnered global prosperity, democracy, and security?
Third, for many in our community, the American dream hasn’t quite yet been a journey of “we” but rather of “me”. And so the struggles and aspirations of a business owner, a truck driver, or a tech executive are less rooted in tribal party echo chambers, but more in the very targeted and singular lanes of personal advancement and even survival. Can Vice President Harris present her record and persuasively litigate that at the center of “our” collective success over the next four years will be “yours”?
Vice President Kamala Harris sharing a conversation with actor and producer Poorna Jagannathan (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson).
Over the next few months, we will need to help answer these questions within an onslaught of external noise and attacks. Just as we heard Michelle Obama evoke her best Shyamala and call out the marching order to “Do Something!”, conversation may be our most powerful asset. During our family dinners, on our college campuses, in our places of worship, with our children and our grandparents, at our small group meetings, and in our big rallies, reaching out to each other to ask questions and start discussions about politics can actually be comforting and doesn’t have to feel confrontational. We can be poised to listen universally and speak in our specific languages. Let’s arm ourselves with the facts to inform, with the empathy to learn, and the strength to accept disagreement. Let’s be respectful in our conviction to offer uninterrupted listening, and firm in sharing the values and vision of the Harris-Walz campaign. Maybe this means aunties and uncles registering for the first time. Maybe it means a generous contribution or someone who feels newly included enough to canvas or write postcards or phonebank. Maybe it’s just a fruitful mutual understanding and an invitation to that second cup of chai.
We know the stories of our community better than anyone else! With history unfolding and for the next chapter of our American story to be successfully written by Kamala Harris, let’s make conversation the ultimate antidote to apathy and the critical spark to actualize “what can be, unburdened by what has been”.
Abhay Dandekar is a pediatrician near Berkeley, CA. He hosts a podcast called TRUST ME I KNOW WHAT I’M DOING
