The senseless attacks on the University of Massachusetts Lowell students on that cold and snowy December night set into motion a number of events. For the perpetrators, their criminal actions have resulted in vigorous prosecution against them by law enforcement officials. For the victims, they have risen from their plight to display tremendous courage in coming forward and speaking out. For our community, the incident has served as a catalyst in bringing us together.

The United States Department of Justice has reported that since the September 11th terrorist attacks, incidents of bias, including hate crimes, assaults and vandalism against individuals perceived to be of Middle Eastern origin have been on the rise. These incidents are targeted against several ethnic groups including Indian Americans and other South Asian American groups and immigrants. Are we not the so-called "model minority?" Evidently, the perpetrators of these hate crimes are unimpressed by the fact that Indian American entrepreneurs are among the highest percentage of individuals that receive venture capital funding in America or that members of our community are world leaders in fields such as medicine, science and education. In fact, many have commented that the increase in attacks against South Asians is of no surprise because we have been targeted in this country for several years before 9-11. There are many documented instances of violence against South Asians - such as the "Dot Busters" gang formed to attack South Asians in New Jersey and the vandalism and burnings of mosques, temples and gurdwaras in several U.S. cities and small towns. These incidents were severe blows to these immigrant communities, however, people joined forces to bring about justice and social change through education, strength and solidarity. It is in times of crisis that the best is brought out in people - the Indian community of New England displayed this same spirit in response to the Lowell attacks.

Many members of our community swiftly responded to the incident. Emails and telephone calls were made in order to obtain and share information and develop strategies. Although most did not even know who the victims were, it did not deter them from their willingness to stand up and help resulting in the December 17th showing of solidarity and support at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Indeed, many of us came to the shocking realization that the victims could have been anyone of us - our families, our friends, our loved ones.

On December 17th, our community showed the world that we are proud and we are a force to be reckoned with. We must continue to stay active - not only when a member of the Indian community is preyed upon but also, and just as importantly, we must be vigilant in coming to the aid of anyone who has been a victim of racial and ethic bias. Strength does not come from physical capacity - it comes from an indomitable spirit. As a young boy, my father would often teach me about the life and accomplishments of Mahatma Gandhi. My father explained the importance of utilizing moral tools when combating injustice and the implication of the Sanskrit word ahimsa. Eknath Easwaran defines ahimsa in his book "Gandhi the Man" as "that when all violence subsides in the human heart, the state that remains is love. It is not something we have to acquire; it is always present, and needs only to be uncovered. This is our real nature, not merely to love one person here, another there, but to be love itself."

"Nevertheless ahimsa is the means; Truth is the end. Means, to be means, must always be within our reach, and so ahimsa is our supreme duty. If we take care of the means, we are bound to reach the end sooner or later. When once we have grasped this point, final victory is beyond question. Whatever difficulties we encounter, whatever apparent reverse we sustain, we may not give up the quest for Truth…" M.K. Gandhi. I think the Mahatma would have been proud of our community's united action for justice and equality.

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