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South Asian Progressive Gathering Hopes to Set Agenda for Activism

By Ji Hyun Lim | AsianWeek Staff Writer

In a community divided by 15 major languages, 1,600 dialects and over five major religions, the desire to unite under a common goal has become imperative, especially in a post-Sept. 11 world. The South Asian Progressive Collective gathering — which will take place on Jan. 25 at the California Institute for Integral Studies in San Francisco — will attempt to merge common interests, set an agenda for community activism and unite communities from different fronts.

Anticipation of the event is overwhelming. Co-sponsoring organizations range from the Alliance of South Asians Taking Action (ASATA), the Coalition Against Communalism, Ekta, South Asian Sisters, Third World Majority, 3rd I: South Asian Independent Films and Trikone. These groups represent diverse political sensibilities, artistic dispositions and LGBTQ interests, among other things.

Issues such as activism and art, gender roles, post 9-11 hate crimes, domestic violence and queer roles will be discussed during the nine-hour session. Interests and topics will be divided by separate discussion sessions and everyone will be able to voice their ideas openly. Organizers want to encourage a flexible, open dialogue and most of the agenda will be set the day of the conference.

“Everyone is stoked and excited,” Maulie Dass, member of South Asian Sisters explains. “It’s going to work out. I think everyone believes we’re going to get something done.”

Anirvan Chatterjee, member of ASATA, points out that the community’s diversity is both a strength and weakness that the South Asian collective gathering must consider. Chatterjee said that many South Asians come from different social, economic and cultural backgrounds and that bringing out the separate issues from the South Asian diaspora will be a challenge.

“It’s really difficult in the U.S. to overcome those barriers and come together to do work on issues that are common to us,” Chatterjee said. “We’re hoping to walk out with more coordination with all the different groups.”

Larger issues such as INS racial profiling, cultural stigma in the queer community, asylum issues and creating a women’s space are some of the pressing issues that will surface among the organizations that plan to be present. Coalition building, youth empowerment and building on collective interests are some actions that the gathering hopes to accomplish.

Dass says that the gathering will help organizations access resources and work on issues that overlap one another. Globalization, secular violence and Hindu fundamentalism will be topics in the international discussions, while domestic violence and detentions of South Asians will be among the domestic discussion sessions. The organizations present will discuss means of circulating petitions, contacting law-makers and creating an action plan to increase the visibility of the South Asian community.

“We’re pooling human resources,” Dass said. “The organizations have certain initiatives. ASATA came after 9-11 hate crimes, Ekta focuses on events and fundraising to fight against communal violence in Gujarat and Trikone is the biggest South Asian queer organization. We’re coming from different perspectives but I don’t think it’s going to be a barrier for getting things done.”

The South Asian Progressive Collective gathering will be held Sat., Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the California Institute for Integral Studies in San Francisco, 1453 Mission St at 10th, 4th Floor, in the Namaste Hall. Please e-mail desicollective@yahoo.com if you would like to come. Requested admission is $10, which includes lunch, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Reach Ji Hyun Lim at jlim@asianweek.com