Let's Address This

Can't recommend this new page enough!

Thanks so much for opening this message. None of us need more emails in our lives, and I feel honored you’re making time for me. I’ll do my best not to spam your inbox, tell inside jokes from college, or do anything else to annoy you. And if you enjoy these writings, please share them with friends who you think would enjoy them, too!

I hopped out of the subway and rushed through Union Square. I was only ten minutes late, and if I hurried, no one would even notice when I walked in. I probably wasn’t walking faster than any other New Yorker during rush hour, though it felt like I was sprinting.

But then, as I approached the intersection, I heard a commotion. A drum banging. Some people shouting, agitated. I crossed the street, not knowing how close to get but curious to know what was happening. I could see protestors and police intermixing, then I saw officers push someone into the police van and shut the doors. The protestors placed their bodies right in front of the van and right behind it, many sitting, many standing, refusing to move. I found myself wanting to know the context, and jumping to conclusions. I then ran into my friend Sunita, who explained to me the situation: what transpired, why people were upset, and why they were surrounding the police vehicle and chanting, “Let him go.”

We all need people like Sunita in our lives, people who help us understand the context of what we’re seeing happen right before our very eyes. There’s so much happening in our world, and it can be confusing. I greatly appreciate the people who help us see more clearly.

This is why I’m so glad to share that one such friend, Qasim Rashid, has launched a new substack to help people better understand that issues that surround us and affect us everyday. There are a lot of things that make Qasim special (including the fact that he’s friends with me), and I’d say his greatest and most unique superpower lies in his ability to see social and political issues for what they are and help break down perspectives and positions through a lens of empathy and justice. These are values I care about deeply, and I’ve learned so much over the years from Qasim and his ability to blend values with analytical clarity.

Qasim’s popular on many platforms already, and now, I’m thrilled that he’ll be sharing his insights here on substack. I wanted to give you all a glimpse of why he’s worth following, so I asked if he’d be open to a brief Q&A. I’ll share that below, with the hope that you might find his work and insights as illuminating as I do.

Qasim, good to see you and congrats on this newsletter. Can you tell us why it felt important for you to start it now?

First, human rights globally are at historic lows. A 2023 study conducted by scholars at the University of Rhode Island found that 60% of nations receive a failing grade on human rights, only 20% received an A grade, and an F grade is the global median. The United States—the shining city on the hill—scores an abysmal D grade, ranking 59th globally, and trending downwards. Second, few reliable sources exist in the media to accurately educate, inform, and empower the populace of the on the ground injustices, and the actions needed to meaningfully counter these human rights violations. Third, it is therefore no surprise that as legacy media fails us, America’s trust in legacy media is also at historic lows, with recent Gallup polling showing that only 32% maintain trust. 

What are you hoping this newsletter will offer that you're not yet seeing in the world?

In Let’s Address This with Qasim Rashid, I take you on a deep dive on the human rights issues affecting Americans and humanity. Pulling from my experience as a human rights attorney, author, and social media influencer, I use vigorous research to disentangle fact from fiction—and understand how to turn the tide on the deteriorating condition of human rights. Let’s Address This recognizes the vast threat to human rights we face globally, the information gap denying people a clear picture of how to address these violations, and offers clear, concise, and compelling insight to bridge that divide. 

Can you give us some examples of the kinds of posts you’ve done or are hoping to do?

This work to advance human rights manifests in articles, podcasts, and video production. Check out my recent podcast with Dr. John Kahler, a retired pediatrician working in Gaza to provide critical healthcare to children, or my recent article on antisemitism in America, or my recent viral short form video on the US House passing a bill to criminalize criticism of a foreign government. As we grow this platform, look for longer form videos that delve into the problems with our current Supreme Court, combatting mass incarceration, and demanding economic justice for America's working poor especially.

What are you hoping this newsletter will help achieve?

My vision is for Let’s Address This with Qasim Rashid to become the wikipedia of human rights issues, with the benefit of verifiable accuracy in everything we post. I want readers to know they have a reliable resource to consult to understand the nuances of often difficult issues, and what role they can play in helping rectify a given injustice. Society is complex, messy, and confusing—but ultimately we're all human beings, and ultimately it's critical we look out for one another. That's how we create a more compassionate world committed to meaningful justice. That's what I hope to build with Let's Address This with Qasim Rashid.