My mom called me earlier this week to deliver the strangest of news. She had recently talked to a relative of my Dad’s who had asked if I was registered with SAAVY (South Asian American Voting Youth). My mom told her that she didn’t know but it was doubtful since I’ve been voting since I was 18.

When my mom asked why she was asking, the auntie (surprised she didn’t already know) mentioned that it had been founded by my cousin a few years ago – after she found out from her mom that folks from the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) has visited her parent’s house asking about me. (Yes… I find it odd as well that I/we didn’t know about this… but my family is semi-dysfunctional, so what can I say).

Hearing this threw me for a bit of a loop. First and foremost I was delighted that she had the strength and resolve to take on a fight that I couldn’t/didn’t. For the first time I felt vindicated. It’s a really good feeling to know that there’s someone out there standing up for you. The whole time I was being investigated I felt singled out and alone. I didn’t think that anyone else understood or took seriously what was happening to me. While I like to make light of the fact that I’m on the terrorist watch list; it’s a very unsettling feeling knowing that people look at you differently then everyone else around you.

This news also got me thinking about the influence and impact that our actions and lives have upon each others. I haven’t seen or had a conversation with my cousin since before I left for college (10 years ago). And yet this relatively significant incident in my life turned out have a greater significance in hers. It reminds me of movies like Traffic and Crash. Whenever I watch stuff like that I think, “Wow, ya we are all interconnected”; but then go back to living my tunnel-vision life having the mindset that I’m in some sort of bubble.

In this case I’m glad that she was affected and that something good has come outta all this. (Although, I really do wish she didn’t refer to me as ‘straight-laced’ though).

Here’s links to some articles regarding my cuz and SAAVY: