Spoken word poet Pushkar “NORTH STAR” Sharma of Brownstar created the video for his piece “10 Little Coolies”. He offers his perspective on coolies (manual laborers or slaves from Asia) in the present day framework of wars, politics, global economies, financial turmoils, and more. It’s a powerful piece juxtaposing references from the past with modern day events. In the end, he gives a nod to the coolies that helps build the railroads. This short film is featured on the DVD included with the Asian American Literary Review Special issue Commemorating the 10 Year Anniversary of September 11th, Vol. 2, No. 1.5 (2011).

10 Little Coolies by Pushkar Sharma