Leadership in Norwich Series: Episode 1 - Poor and Disappointing Representation

May 2024 marked another Asian American Pacific Islander month not honored or celebrated by Norwich. CT leadership.

During Asian American Pacific Islander Month, The city of Norwich made 0 effort to celebrate or honor Asian American Pacific Islanders but held multiple events for Cape Verdeans or Haitians including, an art gallery showcase. a flag raising, library art, and more. All this while the Lt. Governor celebrated or honored Singh, as an Asian rep. Where is our community representation?

No coverage for Asian American Pacific Islander Month by the Bulletin

Upon realizing there was 0 coverage for Norwich residents during AAPI month. I contact Matt Grahn of the Norwich Bulletin regarding equal coverage or any coverage for Asians in Norwich. He stated there were no events he knew of and reach out to Global City Norwich. 

So, even after bringing up the point, Norwich Bulletin was NOT going to post anything honoring Asians during AAPI month? That's right, they did NOT write a positive article or post any positive information about it being AAPI month at all. The Bulletin continued coverage continuously ad naseum for Haitians during AAPI month. 

Here is Matt's article about our "rep" Singh and Haitian Heritage month on May 8:

May is Haitian Heritage Month: Norwich is celebrating with art show, flag raising

https://www.norwichbulletin.com/story/news/local/2024/05/08/norwich-con…

Then an article about the flag raising:

https://www.norwichbulletin.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2024/05/25/c…

Singh attending the Cape Verdean flag raising at Norwich, CT town hall during Asian American Pacific Islander Month - 0 events for Asians. May 2024

Then, on Memorial day, Norwich Bulletin wrote a full article about a WWII veteran fighting during Pearl Harbor. Wow. 

No time for Asians by Global City Norwich

So, I spoke with Global City Norwich and spoke with Bobby after an email confirmed there was nothing for Asians in Norwich. She informed me that Norwich did not have the time for Asians by Global City Norwich. When I complained about this, she first asked me why I hated Haitians. To which I responded, I could ask you why you hate Asians? This isn't about hate but getting some event and why are Asians not represented at all. Bobby informed me there was no time this year.. She was thinking about it and maybe they could do something. You mean... as an aftertought? This late in the month? Really? Why did this happen? Well, noone approached Global City of Norwich about it, according to Bobby. Seriously? Imagine another culture who had a nationally recognized month but were ignored and dishonored during their month. Honestly. Global City Norwich apparently had plenty of time for the Haitians but I'd say maybe a half hour to speak to an Asian disgusted by the situation on the phone. To accuse me of hate, when clearly I am trying to see equal or any representation is a low level tactic. LOW blow. Despite the effort with the Bulletin and Global City Norwich, there were 0 events in Norwch to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islanders. 

Let's now talk about our Asian rep - Swarnjit Singh Khalsa

To add insult to injury, a post by the Lt Governor caught our attention. In this post on Facebook in May (AAPI month), the Lt Governor honors Singh for being an Asian American on the Norwich City council. So he knew it was AAPI month and still did NOTHING for the Norwich and Asian communities. Oh, but he shared the post on his facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/SinghForNorwich/

https://www.facebook.com/wearenorwich

Asians not represented in Norwich

Let's look at some history here. As a generational native of Norwich, I returned to see murals honoring every race but my own. There are 0 Asians represented. As a vendor teaching coding at Stanton with a young 17 Asian assistant, I witnessed children as young as 4th and 5th grade calling us Chings - repeatedly while staff did nothing. I said something. That is NOT going to be tolerated.

In line at Shop Rite, some youth started making  Asian language mocking noises. So, Norwich doing nothing, perpetrates the abuse of Asians. 

It's not just the Bulletin, Global City or Singh. The mayor, the library, other councilpersons and even our State Reps should have noticed but quietly let AAPI Heritage month sit invisible in the corner while raising another culture up on their shoulders. We need new leadership.

Singh Holds Art Show for Haitians during AAPI month but not Asians?

That is correct. Singh held an art show this year to celebrate Haitian Heritage but did not hold any art show for Asian Americans during Asian American Pacific Islander month. We know where he stands as a representative for the people. 

Singh's credentials. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/swaranjit-singh-khalsa-9abb9949/

Aside from the lack of followers/connections and listing the degree, someone with a degree in computer science would know how to have a better link for Linkedin. His credentials come to question.

According the Lt. Governor post. Singh holds a Masters in Computer Science from a college in New Jersey. However, his Linkedin Profile shows no degree as such, limited connections to the tech community at all and NO job working in computer science as well as no papers. Seems odd, doesn't it. He does nothing to promote tech in the town, encourage tech learning and our businesses and local government desperately needs a leader in tech. Strange, right? We might do an investigation into his actual tech background and verify his degree in another episode in this series. Lying about your credentials is a serious matter. It just seems odd for someone to have a grad degree in computer science and No github, no application or work experience at ALL.

Singh Roundabout vote?

Singh also has had some controversies regarding the vote about the Rt 82 roundabout. 

https://www.norwichbulletin.com/story/news/2022/10/20/norwich-ct-ethics…

Was he all for it. Well, he didn't grow up here, he wasn't going to be unemployed when businesses closed, in fact, the conflict of interest was clear and Mayor Nystrom said he should recuse himself from the vote as Singh's competing business could likely benefit from the roundabouts. 

So, in 2025, we vote again. I know who I am not voting for. Make your vote count and to Singh, don't invest too much into your losing campaign. You will be disappointed.

Make your votes count

As a Norwich Asian, I will never vote for Singh. I do not recommend voting for Singh and if you need transportation to your voting station November 2025, we can find a way for you to get there and VOTE. We need someone who cares about our town, our neighbors and not just see constituents and attention from being in politics. Stop the insanity. VOTE!

More political analysis of current Board of Education council and Norwich City Council in our series exploring opportunities to improve our Rose of New England.