Opinion: New podcast delves into Saratoga’s history

My parents immigrated to the United States from Pakistan and purchased a home in Saratoga in the late s which is when we officially moved here From that moment on I ve felt I had multiple identities American Warriors Fan Pakistani Muslim Saratogan Bellarmine Bell Cal Bear hiking enthusiast the list goes on One passion that remains constant is my love for history It teaches us who we are and reminds us that several things we consider new have happened before To quote The Onion History sighs repeats self Related Articles Elias Constitutional convention Why exactly open Pandora s box Elias Consumer issues likely to plague long recovery from L A fires Elias H- B debate will be healthy if it leads to solid solutions and progress Elias Bianco Jenner may liven up California s gubernatorial electoral contest Belal Aftab Saratoga is a public rooted in nature Growing up in Saratoga I learned about American history the founding of our nation the removal of Native Americans slavery wars social movements and more But what I find equally fascinating is our local history which reflects the diverse stories and personal journeys of the people who call Saratoga home Saratoga s diversity is one of our greatest strengths The group here represents people from every corner of the globe I grew up with friends of Chinese Indian African American and Pakistani descent among others Despite global tensions such as those between India and Pakistan people here form friendships and share a commitment to making Saratoga an inclusive place That sense of unity is a testament to how communities can come together and shape a collective future What does this have to do with Saratoga s history Every person who passes through our city whether they ve lived here for decades or just stopped by for a quick meal is part of the narrative We re all contributors leaving footprints that shape Saratoga s identity In Florence Cunningham the founder of the Saratoga Historical Foundation wrote The First Hundred Years of Saratoga Though out of print it contains an incredible collection of stories from to These accounts aren t just relics they reveal how we became the group we are in the current era They explain why certain roads are named as they are why certain traditions endure and what values guide the city s expansion After reading Cunningham s book I realized these stories deserve a modern platform Enter the Saratoga History Podcast Hosted on Apple and Spotify the podcast delves into our city s history from multiple angles Saratoga s founding notable landmarks and the personal accounts of everyday residents who have quietly shaped our population We ve published two episodes so far and plan to release more throughout the year each exploring a unique facet of Saratoga Why a podcast It s accessible The bulk of us are busy and it s often easier to listen to a story while commuting or cooking than to read through entire books It s also an opportunity for newcomers longtime residents and even curious visitors to learn about Saratoga s past in a fun and engaging way Along the way we hope to spark new conversations and foster a deeper sense of belonging Ultimately I hope you ll tune in learn something new about where we live and maybe be inspired to share your own memories or perspectives After all history isn t just about the past it s about how we choose to shape our future By understanding how we arrived here we re better equipped to decide where we go next If you have ideas or personal experiences you d like to share or if there s a specific topic you d like us to cover please reach out to podcast saratogahistory com This podcast isn t just for history buffs it s for everyone who values society diversity and the stories that unite us Whether you re tuning in from across the world or from just down the street I invite you to join me on this journey through time Our collective histories backgrounds and perspectives intersect in Saratoga forming a tapestry we can all be proud of and continue to enrich for generations to come Stay curious stay engaged and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Saratoga History Podcast Belal Aftab is the mayor of Saratoga