Public Employee Press

Immigrant activist authors new book

A native of Bangladesh, Morshed Alam embodies America's rich tradition as a haven for immigrants.

Alam and his wife decided to raise a family here, rather than in Bangladesh with its fragile democracy and economic underdevelopment, and came here in 1984. After five years, he applied for citizenship and got his job with the Dept. of Environmental Protection. He is now an Associate Chemist in Local 375.

Alam threw himself into union activism and politics, and recounts his experiences in "Grass Roots Politics" (Scholars Publishers, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2008). The book, which compiles news articles and personal writings, provides a primer on political and community activism for immigrant Americans.

Bigotry and barriers

"I want to promote ways you can become part of mainstream politics," said Alam, who does that as head of the Queens-based New American Democratic Club.

The book tells of the bigotry and barriers to political participation and voter registration he faced and shares the events of his two terms as a Queens school board member, his losing races for state Senate and Assembly and his travels to India, Bangladesh and Pakistan with President Bill Clinton.