Prominent Indian-American Frank Islam worried over right wing resurgence, but still believes old America can be regained

Washington DC: Frank F Islam, the well-known Indian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist, who came to the US about half a century ago from a small village of India and fulfilled his ‘American Dream’, is today worried over the foothold right wing has gained in this country’s political and social life, threatening its democracy.

He sees the right wing having gained control of the Republican Party, which is causing concern among a large section section of the American society.

Frank Islam says that as evidenced by the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, certain elements of the right wing such as the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys are definitely a threat to democracy and the peaceful transition of power.

‘’ It’s not just the physical threat, however, it is also the repression and regression that the right wing brings to our democratic processes, he  said while replying to a question in an interview to India News Stream.

Answering a related question, he observed that while Trump’s victory did not indicate a “certain change in the social and political thought process of the American people” in general. The upset was a victory though for those who had and have different thoughts than the majority of Americans. These people he describes as members of a cult, which he defines as a group of people with extreme dedication to a certain leader and set of beliefs, and in this instance, Trump is that certain leader embodying, magnifying and legitimating a set of beliefs.

“This is not a pretty picture and it will not disappear overnight. Estimates are that as many as one-third of voters are Trump supporters. That does not mean they are members of “the cult” but it does mean that they will do nothing meaningful in opposition to it.”

In fact “the right wing has gained control of the Republican Party – and as I wrote some time ago it is no longer the GOP it is the POT – The Party of Trump. Recent polls indicate that Trump’s influence is shrinking a little. But still various reports show somewhere between 300 to 400 candidates seeking congressional and state level offices in 48 states across the country in these midterms are election deniers,’’ he said.

Referring to a blog “The Island States of America.” he wrote recently, he observed that in these island states, states’ right dominate and the country itself is increasingly balkanized. In fact the Trump Administration took advantage of the US Constitution that provided the basis for the elevation and supremacy of states’ rights, to “ reverse engineer the nation, Frank Islam said.

‘’Our U.S. democracy is unraveling. This unraveling is serious and threatening the very existence of this fragile crucible called the American democracy. I definitely believe it can be reversed though,’’ he said identifying three things to stop the process—a national leader with a compelling vision and cross-cutting appeal and support, 21st century citizens who are American patriots and community builders, and a unity agenda around which citizens can rally.

“I believe that a leader will emerge with a unifying agenda and I along with tens of millions of other 21st century citizens will join with the leader to ensure that agenda is implemented and America becomes America again,” he said.

Replying to a question on the prospects for those who want to come to the dreamland America, he said that during Trump years things were made difficult for people from other countries to come to US and settle. But, he said, he was still of firm belief that America remains a nation where immigrants can fulfill their dreams. It is not a perfect place but it is unlike any other nation in the world in terms of giving opportunities to those not born in this country.

Recalling his own journey in America, he said he came to the United States by himself as an immigrant from his motherland of India to pursue the American Dream. At that young age, he wasn’t sure how he would achieve that dream but thought he would be able to do so.

And he did achieve the American Dream by becoming a successful entrepreneur in the information technology field.

“I would be remiss, however, if I did not talk about how important my family and education was in preparing me for the journey,’’ he said.

It started in a small village in the Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh, India. At that point, his parents moved his family to Varanasi so that they could receive a better education. he received his high school education there. After passing his high school exams, he was admitted to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

“AMU played a pivotal role in my life. It developed me educationally and reinforced the spiritual and social lessons that my parents had taught me. Most importantly, it was the launching pad that prepared and enabled me to go to the United States.

While I was at AMU, I met Wolfgang Thron, a visiting Professor from the University of Colorado at Boulder, who mentored and encouraged me to go to the United States to pursue a degree in the emerging field of computer science. I was hesitant because it meant leaving my family and friends behind but Professor Thron persuaded me that it would be worth the risk. He was right,” Frank said.

He got his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science at the University of Colorado. He worked at fast food restaurants to earn spending money. That helped pay his bills and the degrees gave him the knowledge that he needed to go into business.
His best friends at the University of Colorado were fellow immigrants from India going to school there but he got along well with everyone.

“What struck me the most about Boulder was the beauty of the mountains and the campus and the friendliness of the people.
I was also amazed by the news media in the U.S. and how it was able to comment openly and publicly on everything.
Finally, the transportation system in America was a marvel. There were roads running from coast to coast and trains and buses to take you almost anywhere you wanted to go. And, for those who could afford it there were planes.”

He said if he was to try to give a complete story of the workings of American democracy during the more than one-half century that he had been here, it would take him volumes and years to do so. What he could do is tell his story and how it reflects on the American democracy.

After getting is masters and bachelors in computer science at the University of Colorado, he worked with two major information technology firms which gave him skills and the real-world grounding that he needed to be a business owner.

He acquired the QSS a small information technology firm for $ 45,000. Within 13 years, along with his management team, they took that firm from a workforce of 1 employee – me – to more than 3,000 employees and approximately $300 million in revenue.

“The team of talented managers was central to everything. Success in business is a team sport. So, when you ask me how I became successful, it was not me but we who made it happen.

Finally, Frank sold his company to Perot Systems in 2007. That sale allowed him to establish a private foundation that supports educational, cultural and artistic causes in the United States, India and around the world.

“Now I am concentrating on community and social engagement and on philanthropic activities by giving back. In this regard, I am reminded and guided by the words of President Kennedy, who said: “To whom much is given. Much is expected”.

It is the American democracy which provided me with the ladders of opportunity to succeed. My story reaffirms the notion that America is a land of opportunity. It also shows that even though it is not perfect, America is a nation of inclusion, openness and freedom.”

He said the American democracy allowed him to participate in what he defines as the five forms of civic engagement. “Some times when I say civic engagement people mistakenly think I mean political engagement. I do not. Political engagement is a form of civic engagement – but just one form.In my opinion, civic engagement takes five primary for.

. Individual – becoming the best that one can be and taking personal responsibility for one’s actions
. Organizational – contributing to the success of the groups (e.g., business, religion, associations) to which one belongs
. Political – participating in those processes that shape the structure and nature of government
. Community – collaborating to make the locale and the world in which we live a better place
. Social – advocating for justice and equality of treatment and opportunity for all”

“The American democracy enabled and empowered me to participate in each form of engagement,” Frank Islam said.

—–INDIA NEWS STREAM