Study Guide of Small Acts of Courage by Ali Velshi (ChapterClarity)

By Chapter Clarity

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• Language: English
• Publisher: GP SUMMARY
• Release date: May 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869376831

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Prologue

How to Become an American Citizen in Three Easy Steps

On May 30, 2020, the author was shot in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a rubber bullet. The incident highlights the importance of understanding the journey to becoming an American citizen, which took 18 years, nine months, and seventeen days. The author's journey began on September 13, 2001, when they arrived in America, crossing the Canada-US border with a faxed copy of their O-1 visa. Initially, they didn't feel American and didn't come to America out of a desire to become one.

The author worked for CNN, Al Jazeera, and MSNBC before moving to Canada. They married, raised a family, and made America their home. However, they didn't give citizenship much thought due to their family's history. They had multiple citizenships, including an Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card, which allows visa-free entry to the country.

The author's parents believed a passport was a symbol of freedom, security, and belonging, and they never needed a passport for that. When it came to Canadian citizenship, the author felt secure enough and privileged enough to take it for granted.

In summary, the author's journey to becoming an American citizen was a complex and indelible one, involving three distinct moments. The author's family's history and the importance of citizenship in their lives make the journey to becoming an American citizen a personal journey.

In 2012, while at CNN, the author met with colleague Ashleigh Banfield, who emphasized the importance of American citizenship. Banfield emphasized that citizenship comes with rights and responsibilities, and that living in a democracy is a privilege. In 2015, after leaving CNN for Al Jazeera, the author began the citizenship process, which included an in-person interview and a test.

Upon arriving at the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, the author realized how special the ceremony was for the other soon-to-be citizens. They saw the other people, most of whom were not white, and started to think about their stories, such as refugees or immigrants. The author realized how special this moment was for them as well.

As they sat in the chamber, they read the United States Constitution three times, recognizing the intent behind the document and the revolutionary rights and liberties it conferred on them. Although the oath of citizenship did not significantly transform their day-to-day life, they were still aware of the rights and privileges of citizenship, but less concerned with the responsibilities and obligations.

In summary, the author's experience with American citizenship was a transformative experience, highlighting the importance of embracing the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

In May 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, a viral video of a Minneapolis police officer choking George Floyd was shared online. The incident led to protests in Minneapolis, with tear gas and riot gear being used. The broadcaster, who had previously attended events with the Committee to Protect Journalists and black-tie events, was escorted by Evan Minogue, a former NYPD lieutenant, who provided a bulletproof vest and gas mask.

The journalist was on camera for several days, broadcasting live from Minneapolis. On Thursday night, three days after Floyd's death, the reporter was on air with Brian Williams, who was hosting his nightly MSNBC show back in New York. The situation was far less devastating than it appeared onscreen, as the camera distorts the scene and gives a skewed view of the events.

Minneapolis was mostly quiet, with most protests being peaceful vigils. However, the footage on TV gave a skewed view of the situation, as the camera focused on the most visually striking elements of the story. The author clarified that the protest was mostly a peaceful vigil, with most people engaging in the act of being citizens in a democracy, voicing their protests over an egregious crime committed by the police of their city.

The author recounts his experiences with protesters in Minneapolis during the Fourth Precinct lockdown. He was in the middle of a crowd gathered outside the Fifth Precinct, reporting on a curfew in effect. The crowd, thousands of people, felt Gandhian and peaceful, but by 9:00 p.m., the curfew had been in effect for an hour. The crowd began walking, singing tunes and waving Bernie Sanders signs.

At an intersection, people started making noise, and the police and National Guard raced into the intersection, splitting the crowd in half. They fired tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd, causing the crowd to split. The author, Miguel Toran, was closest to the police, capturing live footage of the police firing into the crowd.

The crowd