SAAN - Workshops

Workshops

WHY DO THEY HATE US?

Tracks: Social Justice and Politics, Pop Culture and the Arts
Confirmed Speakers: Amardeep Singh, Executive Director of Sikh Coalition; Valarie Kaur, documentary filmmaker of Divided We Fall

Rising anti-immigrant sentiment and backlash post-9/11 have necessitated coalition building between Arabs, Muslims, and South Asians. This topic will highlight individuals who have stood up for human rights issues that have deeply affected our diasporic communities.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS AREN’T

Tracks: Science and Technology, Social Justice and Politics
Confirmed Speakers: Devinder Sahota, Office Manager at Yes! World (environmental awareness organization)

"Going Green" is the new hype in current events, thanks to celebrities like Al Gore and Leonardo DiCaprio, but initiatives to conserve energy, water, and fossil fuels have been going on around the globe for decades. Several less glamorous but equally passionate South Asians have been diligently interacting across state and national lines to advocate for environmental change.

MEDIA MOVEMENTS

Tracks: Science and Technology, Pop Culture and the Arts
Confirmed Speakers: Aditi Kinkhabwala, journalist for Sports Illustrated

With podcasts, blogs, and email, we have an infinite amount of information at our fingertips. Fewer people are subscribing to paper publications, shifting the way we consume current events. Technology facilitates new forms of journalism, broadening who has access to innovative ideas.

FATAL AFFLICTION

Tracks: Science and Technology, Economics and Development
Confirmed Speakers: Dr. Robert Bollinger, member of Presidential Advisory Committee on HIV/AIDS; Avanti Sharma, Anokhi Foundation

Infectious diseases are some of the world's greatest threats to humanity. Due to the poor distribution of resources in South Asian countries, diseases like HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and hepatitis are becoming more prevalent. Health workers and academics will disclose their views about how to curb the growth of these emerging pandemics.

THE FAIR CHOICE

Tracks: Gender and Sexuality
Confirmed Speakers: Zareena Grewal, Yale professor

South Asians have long prized fair skin, and skin color bias is sometimes present in South Asian regions as well as in diasporic communities. This workshop will confront the possibility of “colorism” as a deciding factor in matrimonial affairs, and it will examine the implications of that discrimination on different generations in the South Asian community.

ASIANS IN THE ‘HOOD

Tracks: Economics and Development, Social Justice and Politics
Confirmed Speakers: Scott Kurashige, U-M professor of Asian Studies and Urban and Community Studies; Vijay Prashad, author of Karma of Brown Folk and Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting

Many people overlook the unexpected similarities between South Asian and Southeast Asian communities. By focusing on how urban development has had an impact on both communities in metro Detroit, this workshop will bridge the gap between different groups in the pan-Asian diaspora.

SESSION 2 WORKSHOPS

REPRODUCTIVE RESTRAINTS

Tracks: Gender and Sexuality, Science and Technology
Confirmed Speakers: Ushma Upadhyay, founder and board member of South Asian Public Health Association

Making decisions about sexual activity, contraception and reproductive health is a complex personal process. This workshop will evaluate reproductive health research and issues that are particularly relevant to South Asian men and women in the U.S. It will review contemporary issues in South Asia and the U.S. and examine how events and politics in each of these cultures influence our own personal values, choices, and decisions.

HEALTH CARE HOOPLA!

Tracks: Science and Technology, Economics and Development
Confirmed Speakers: Ann Kenny, Director of Health Communications, Outreach and Training at SRA International

The rising cost of health care and disjointed communication between patients and doctors has led to much debate in America. In addition, people of color, including South Asians, sometimes receive care that is inferior to the services that white Americans receive. What can be done to create equitable health care for all, despite ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status?

SEARCHING FOR UTOPIA

Tracks: Social Justice and Politics, Gender and Sexuality
Confirmed Speakers: Luna Ranjit, Executive Director of Adhikaar

This workshop will explore the diversity within the South Asian community in terms of nationalities, languages, religions, cultures and class. Participants will discuss how current and proposed immigration laws affect South Asians, and why it is important for us to have our voices heard in the immigrant rights movement.

ARE YOU WHAT YOU EAT?

Tracks: Pop Culture and the Arts
Confirmed Speakers: Anita Mannur, Denison professor

From Mississippi Masala and Chutney Popcorn to The Mistress of Spices, food is often central in evoking South Asian ethnic identity. This workshop will explore how food represents some intangible “South Asian-ness.” Discussion will be about cultural authenticity, stereotypes, and multiculturalism.

SEIZE YOUR VOTE!

Tracks: Social Justice and Politics, Pop Culture and the Arts
Confirmed Speakers: Atul Nakhasi, president of University of Iowa College Democrats; Taz Ahmed, co-founder of South Asian American Voting Youth

POWER: you have it, so USE it! Learn not only about pertinent and pressing issues, but also about why and how you can make huge differences in America by getting involved in politics.

A WOMAN’S WORTH

Tracks: Economics and Development, Gender and Sexuality
Confirmed Speakers: Toc Dunlap, co-founder and Executive Director of Creating Hope International

The success of any country’s economy depends on the full and equal participation of people from all backgrounds. If women have access to education and employment opportunities in Afghanistan, they can play a vital role in restoring the nation’s economic and political stability. In this workshop, the growing role of women during the ongoing reconstruction of Afghanistan will be examined.