The tragic events of September 11, 2001 also proved to be an unfortunate turning point in America’s socio-cultural dynamics. For a nation that’s built upon the principles of separating church and state, America’s multi-religious identity came to the forefront as specific groups, especially Muslims or Hindus and Sikhs (who were presumed to be Muslims), became [...]

May 31, 2011 by Pulkit | Tags: 9/11, b-listed, breakthrough, Catholics, culture shockers, Facebook, Gainesville Times, ground zero, Hindus, human rights, immigration, immigration reform, Islam, Islamic Cultural Center, Islamophobia, Muslim Americans, New York City, Pigeon Forge, religious profiling, Restore Fairness, Sikhs, Southern Poverty Law Center, SPLC, The Know-Nothings | 1 Comment »

In a boost for the LGBTQ movement, a recent nationwide Gallup poll found that 53% of Americans support making gay marriage legal. This comes as a noticeable increase from last year, when 44% favored same-sex unions. The Gallup poll is one of several polls that have been conducted nationwide this year that are showing increased [...]

May 24, 2011 by Pulkit | Tags: AllOut.org, America 2049, Anthony Rapp, b-listed, breakthrough, culture shockers, Facebook, Freedom to Marry, Gallup, gay marriage, GLAAD, GLSEN, Good Day Every Day, Harold Perrineau, human rights, It Gets Better, It Gets Better project, LGBTQ, No H8 Campaign, Presbyterian Church USA, Proposition 8, same-sex union, Uganda | Comments Off

“Nothing is as sweet as self-determination.” – Zia, a character in Breakthrough‘s America 2049. This week, in Breakthrough’s Facebook game America 2049, players continue their mission in the fictional country, Independent Pueblo Nation, that has seceded from America. Players meet Zia, the Secretary of State for the Pueblo Nation, and discover the plight of the [...]

May 17, 2011 by Pulkit | Tags: America 2049, american indian, b-listed, breakthrough, Chahta tribe, Cherokee, culture shockers, Facebook, human rights, I AM THIS LAND, Native Americans, Pueblo, Racism, Restore Fairness, St. Tammany Parish, The Trail of Tears, Trail of Tears Association, Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, US Census | Comments Off

Games, it turns out, imitate life — sometimes eerily so — just as history so often threatens to repeat itself. This week, Breakthrough‘s ongoing Facebook gaming event, America 2049, tackles two major issues that become linked within the narrative of the game: interracial unions and abortion. During gameplay, players encounter the story of Bonnie, a [...]

May 10, 2011 by Pulkit | Tags: abortion, America 2049, b-listed, breakthrough, Center for Reproductive Rights, culture shockers, education, Facebook, H.R.3, human rights, interracial marriage, interracial union, Loving Day, Ms. Magazine, Nancy Keenan, Nancy Northup, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, PRCH, Public Policy Polling, Racism, Restore Fairness, The Loving Story, violence against women, Women, women's rights | Comments Off

Breakthrough is proud to be a Community Partner for the New York Indian Film Festival. This post was originally written by Pulkit Datta for The NRI, who is also the Media Assistant with Breakthrough. New York’s oldest Indian film festival – previously known as the MIAAC Film Festival – is entering its 11th year with [...]

May 4, 2011 by Pulkit | Tags: b-listed, Bhopali, breakthrough, breakthrough beat, film, Harud, human rights, IAAC, immigrant, immigration, New York City, New York Indian Film Festival, NYIFF, NYWIFT, Semshook, Whistling Woods, Women, women's rights | Comments Off

On Sunday, May 1, President Obama announced the death of Al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, the notorious terrorist who spearheaded the 9/11 attacks against the U.S. While the predominant reaction from around the world has been one of relief and joy, bin Laden’s death reminds us of just how big an impact the 9/11 [...]

May 3, 2011 by Pulkit | Tags: America 2049, b-listed, breakthrough, Chris Hedges, culture shockers, detention, education, Facebook, forced servitude, human rights, ICE, immigrant, immigrant workers, immigration, immigration reform, New York City, Obama, Osama bin Laden, Patriot Act, President Obama, Racism, Restore Fairness, SCPR, worker rights, youth | Comments Off