Selling Lal

This is my new campaign: I need a job.

Why do I need a job? My mom is really sick. She’s probably not going to last much longer at this rate. If I can’t get a job or financial support in the next few months, I will be forced to leave the country and go back to Fiji, where I’m likely to be persecuted for a myriad of reasons. It’s heartbreaking to admit that, but it is true.

I have a Masters in International Relations, working on a law degree, with lots of experience in organizing youth, shaking up national policy and running social media campaigns. My specialty is queer, race, gender and immigration issues, though I’m pretty knowledgeable about matters having to do with international political economy as well.

My work and commentary has been featured and quoted in stories for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, US News and World Report, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, as well as ethnic media outlets, documentaries and PhD dissertations. I’ve to regularly divert media calls and emails to other sources. I’ve also been published in academic journals. I’ve traveled to over 30 states and presented at dozens of conferences ranging from the American Association of Geographers to the International Studies Association to Netroots Nations. The list keeps growing.

I am insightful, resourceful, and solution-oriented with a great sense of humor. My ability to find humor in tragic situations is a real talent.

I can speak five different languages. Did you know that Fiji-Hindi is a language that was created by indentured servants from all parts of India so that people working under slave-like conditions on sugar-cane plantations could understand each other beyond their respective castes and cultures, share their lived experiences and traumas? I speak it.

I am direct, loyal and like to keep people honest and accountable. I do what needs to be done even if it means risking my life in order to get justice.

You get to check off a lot of boxes. The “women, immigrants, people of color, LGBT persons encouraged to apply” all applies to me.

I have legal work authorization, which is likely to be renewed throughout the long immigration court proceedings but an employer can easily sponsor me for an EB-2 or a H-1 with a waiver and get me out of removal proceedings.

Yes, you can actually help. Si se puede.

Resume (Updated: 7/29/2011). Please check out my Linked In for more details on education, work experience and specific skills.