Indian teens at the conventions

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August 10, 2004

Last month during the Democratic National Convention in Boston I was desperately hoping to get an invite as a blogger. I knew that wasn’t going to happen however, and I was overheard several times muttering, “Who do I need to sleep with to get a floor pass?”

That’s why I was shocked when I learned that nineteen-year old Tanisha Sandhu of El Sobrante, California was actually at the convention as a delegate. Its not a trivial thing to be a delegate. Those spots are usually reserved for the party faithful (i.e. biggest fund-raisers and local politicians). As a delegate at 19 she may have a bright future ahead of her.

This past weekend seventeen-year-old Ranjit “Ricky” Gill of Morada, California spoke at the California State GOP Convention.

He is a top student at his high school, where he helps classmates in math. The aspiring doctor also volunteers at Lodi Memorial Hospital. He’s served on the Greater Lodi Area Youth Commission, and last month, he was named by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as the only student representative on the state Board of Education.

Now there seems to be a push, to put him on the stage in NY at the National Convention.

Politics

POSTED BY abhi @ 08:57 AM

5 comments

1 · mona on August 10, 2004 09:59 AM · Direct link

congrats on the new blog! never stop inventing or writing.

-mp

2 · VNV on August 10, 2004 11:37 AM · Direct link

There must be a underlying purpose for having Mr.Gill as a rep in the party shouldn't there be? His achievements are not more outstanding than many other asian and non-asian kids in California whom were brought in the same environments.

From hummings I've heard that Democrats better represent the issues and interests of South Asians here in the US. So by selecting an Asian-American kid to speak at a Republican Convention, is it just in recognition of his achievements and pursuit to encourage or is it just a vote getter from the south-asian community. There are probably more younger generation Asian-Americans of votable age in the country now then before, representing the immigration of the late 70's early 80's. There is also the mentality that our elders are taken up by anyone who gives their kids recognition and such.

That being said I have nothing but props for the boy, it is indeed an achievement that will take him far.

3 · nikhil on August 10, 2004 12:30 PM · Direct link

this is certainly a nice accolade for Gill but i can't help but wonder if this is good for the south asian community in general. candidates like bobby jindal (La) and Ro Khanna (Bay Area) bring a level of political sophistication that is valuable in discourse regardless of party affiliation. but throwing up a brown face for the sake of brownness when that person doesn't really know what's going on or have a nuanced understanding of the issues at play seems dangerous to me. but then again, when has the GOP shown any kind of nuanced understanding. a seventeen-year old mentality about politics may be exactly what fits in at a GOP convention.

4 · MD on August 10, 2004 01:34 PM · Direct link

Well, good for both these youngsters is all I can say.

I think it's the nature of both political parties to highlight 'inspirational' people (in this case kid) at the podium. It's just standard politicking. And good politics at that.

Also, if the GOP is going to make inroads into the Indian American community why not feature some of the promising young people involved in the party? I'm always amused when people say this party or that party better represents South Asians. What, all of them? Of all ages, of all professions, both genders, the businessmen and women, doctors, writers, poets, homemakers, all of them? Every single one?

5 · Guava on August 11, 2004 12:23 AM · Direct link

How cool for both of them. More on Tanisha Sandhu and other South Asian delegates from IACPA.

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