The Future “American Islam”

By in Immigrant NYC

Muslim Immigration “There are an estimated 7 million Muslims living in the United States, and polls suggest that 64% of these Muslims are immigrants” Muslim Immigration History The earliest Muslim immigrants came as slaves from Africa beginning perhaps as early as 1501 The slave-owners sometimes appreciated and rewarded their literate Muslim slaves, but they despised the religion of Islam and did what they could to prevent it from passing from one generation to the next. Reasons for Immigrating Ethnic persecution. Expulsion of Asians from Uganda, followed by smaller numbers from Tanzania and Kenya, led to some 6,000 Muslims in North America. Saddam Hussein’s extermination campaign against the Kurds led to mass exoduses in 1989, 1991, and 1996. Religious persecution. Hindu-Muslim clashes in India cause a steady stream of Muslims to seek safety in America, even as members of the...

Tracking Your Colleagues?

By in Uncategorized

Ever wonder what would happen if you google a co-worker or student? Although you may have looked at your own digital footprint, have you thought about learning more about those around you for positive reasons–that is not to snoop into their heartbreak or financial ups and downs but rather to have new reasons to connect with those sitting across from you at meetings and award dinners? Today I enjoyed looking up one of the faculty in Wagner’s business department Prof. Frank DiSimone. I recently had the opportunity while editing a student’s paper for my history course, to hear praise of Frank for teaching his senior business students how to write and research at a very sophisticated level. I also knew that Frank had won an MLK Agent of change award because of his work with students. Now thanks to this assignment on google I learned more. Frank was 2006 Graduate Professor...

An Island in the Blue Sea

By in Uncategorized

The breeze through the palm trees on an Island of the Carribean sea might conjure up dreams of a romance. A painting of such an island, with a fragile paper sailboat in the foreground, can challenge us to consider a different story. What if the Island is the Dominican Republic and the painter hints at a larger perspective, through stormy clouds and the symboilic figure of a man crouching naked and alone, a story of flight, immigration, isolation and the search for a new community? Artists can tell their stories through powerful images that hang in a gallery or increasingly on-line. And yet, we all have stories, stories that others need to hear and that are vital to understanding how community is created. Digital stories can be interviews that we do with those we encounter, which allow us to share the wisdom we learn from others with the wider world.

The Chinese in America: Becoming a Model Minorty

By in Uncategorized

Chinese Americans From a history of discrimination, Chinese Americans emerge as America’s “model minority”. By: Leslie Lynn and Kelly McCue Wagner College 16 and 13 During the past generation Chinese Americans have been depicted in the media as a “beloved model minority” (Kwong, IX). Despite years of social and legislative discrimination, the Chinese have arguably become the most successful immigrant group in America. Today, the median income of Chinese Americans is higher than the median income of Caucasians (Kwong, IX). A greater percentage of Chinese Americans live in upper or middle class neighborhoods than Caucasians (Kwong, IX). Chinese Americans complete college at a rate twice that of Caucasian Americans, and Chinese Americans are “overrepresented” in the top schools (Kwong, IX). The Chinese immigrants of America serve as an example of how a minority group can...

Puerto Ricans, Politics, and Power: An Electoral History in New York

By in Immigrant NYC, Latin American Immigration, Leadership, NYC History

BBy Ryan Clinton History major, Wagner College  ’14 Ortega Family History “Look at my hands. I don’t want you to have these kinds of hands,” Manny Ortega’s father used to tell him, raising his calloused palms and drawing attention to his right hand, which was missing half of the middle finger. “He stressed [education for me]” (Ortega Interview). Manny Ortega, the 52-year-old law chairman of Staten Island’s Democratic Party and a practicing family law attorney, emphasized his family’s role in his pursuit of higher education and professional opportunities. Mr. Ortega’s father, an Ecuadorian immigrant to the United States, came to this country in the late 1940s seeking work. He came to New York and joined the merchant marines. An injury tying ropes on the docks sliced off part of his finger. His broken English hampered his ability to receive many distinctions and promotions that he...