The Race to the Bottom of India’s Ladder. A different look at affirmative action. The fight over who should and shouldn’t qualify for affirmative action positions has been fueled by the promises — often subsequently broken — made by politicians desperate for votes. Over the past 15 years or so, various political parties have pledged to bring more and more groups under the affirmative action umbrella. The riots of the past week, which have killed almost 20 people, are the inevitable outcome of that politicking. "Conflicts are inevitable when the size of the pie remains the same and there are more claimants," says political commentator Vinod Dua, who believes affirmative action programs should be based on economic need and not just on the caste and tribal lines delineating India’s complicated social hierarchy. –Times.com The Asian Equation: What exactly should an Asian-American theater fest celebrate?Post-Asian polemic. At the heart of the debate lies a dilemma that’s both universal and painfully specific: "Why does it always have to be about identity?" The question, posed at a conference last year for Asian-American theater companies, raised an issue that weighs heavily on this community—namely, why is racial identity such an obsession? –Village Voice Senate faces immigration showdow. Not as cool as it seems. Debate on a controversial overhaul of US immigration law is set to enter a key phase on Thursday as senators wrestle over the legislation’s remit.–BBC Jim Clark, 84; sheriff stunned the U.S. with violent response to Selma march. He overcame. Jim Clark, a former Alabama sheriff whose violent confrontations with voting rights marchers in Selma shocked the nation in 1965 and gave momentum to the civil rights movement, has died. He was 84. –LATimes.com New Orleans project protested. Two steps forward, one back. Former tenants and activists are suing the federal government to delay further demolition of the projects until alternatives are available; they also are pushing Congress to pass a bill that would keep 3,000 public housing units open. Presidential Candidates Silent on African American Issues. Can the nation multi-task? …what about the low quality education in city schools, the violent crime rates that are up for the second year in a row, the unemployment rate among African-Americans that consistently doubles that of Whites and the mandatory minimum sentences that keeps Blacks crowding prisons across the nation?–Amsterdam News Kemo says Latino hip-hop still tough to find on the radio. You know it’s hard out there for a… Kemo, who is on a promotional tour with his sophomore solo CD, "Not So Rich & Famous," said that despite the growing urban Latino field, getting mainstream exposure is never easy. –San Antonio Express-News Celebs to play anti-racism soccer match. Whatever it takes. The game is the first major event in the Against Racism campaign, aimed at sending a message to Queenslanders racism will not be tolerated. –The Australian.