Recently, we introduced you to "Into the Whirlwind," the blog of DNSI co-director Valarie Kaur. As previously noted, Valarie spent four months after 9/11 interviewing victims of hate crimes and discrimination from around the nation. This summer, Valarie is retracing her steps, interviewing these same and other victims.

Valarie's latest post recounts her meeting with Balbir Singh Sodhi's family. As Valarie painfully reminds us:

On September 15, 2001, BALBIR SINGH SODHI [pictured]was standing in front of his gas station, preparing to plant flowers. A man in a black truck pulled around the corner and shot him five times. Balbir, 52 years old, was the first person to be killed in a post-9/11 hate crime. When arrested, the man yelled, “I am a patriot. Arrest me and let those terrorists run wild.”

Valarie met with several of Mr. Sodhi's family members, including his widow. This post is a must-read for anyone interested in the backlash after 9/11.