History

A group of Chicago-based South Asians came together at the end of 2000 to create a space for progressive South Asians to unite and take action on issues pertaining to the Diaspora. Our goal is to use open artistic expression, public education, media outreach, community dialogues, and other tools to create a forum for the discussion of political and social issues both within the South Asian community and between ourselves and others.

Themes addressed in our work in past years:

• building bridges of understanding to counter the hatred of communalism

• combating detention, deportation, and the loss of civil rights here in the U.S.

• understanding the dynamics of globalization and responding through global action

• speaking out about and against continuing U.S. militarism

Do the issues of the South Asian Diaspora interest you? Do you want to find others who share your progressive political point of view? Do you have an idea for a project or political action that you are looking for partners to implement? Come join us! SAPAC is an open political space dedicated to the principles of collective decision making and the development of shared voice, understanding, and political power. Check out our Membership page for more info.

FAQ

What is SAPAC?

SAPAC stands for South Asian Progressive Action Collective. SAPAC is a Chicago-based organization that developed out of a common desire for a forum to take up progressive issues pertinent to South Asia and the Diaspora through direct action, creative expression, and discussion. Members of the collective donate time, which is how we work to make it happen.

Who started SAPAC?

In 2000, a group of young South Asian Americans in Chicago founded SAPAC to create a progressive space for mobilizing around issues affecting our community--in the subcontinent and here in the diaspora.

Why do you use the term "South Asian"?

SAPAC believes that people from India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have a shared history and a shared cultural heritage. We embrace this collective history and cultural heritage and hope to address issues and concerns faced by the diaspora and by people in the countries that form South Asia.

How is SAPAC run?

SAPAC does not have a president or governing board. We are a collective with two levels of membership: General and Core. The General membership consists of the people who come to individual SAPAC events and activities and of the over 380 individuals who subscribe to the SAPAC listserv.

The SAPAC Core is the central decision making body and includes 15-20 members. The Core has 3 "administrative" committees: Mission/Structure, Finance, and Communications/Website. It also has committees for each of its project areas: Education, Arts, and Local Community Empowerment.

The Core is open to anyone who expresses an interest, comes to at least three SAPAC meetings, and takes leadership in SAPAC activities.  

For more info, please visit the Membership and Projects pages.

Do you have any staff? Where do you get your funding?

We have no paid staff, so the projects and issues that have traction are those that one or more of our members are passionate about. Currently we are a purely informal organization without nonprofit status. Funding for activities comes from individual contributions, funds from community partners, and funds we raise at arts and other events. Most importantly, however, the resource we bring to events and activities are our members' time and commitment.

Do you have social events and parties?

Yes, every so often. SAPAC members like each other and we hang out together after meetings and often on the weekends. We're pretty social and we often go to parties together. We love to dance!

What do you mean by "progressive"? I'm politically conservative; is there a place for me in your group?

SAPAC was created as a space for South Asians with progressive values to share ideas and develop joint work. Our work promotes harmony among South Asian communities, social and economic justice, tolerance of difference, gender equity, and political mobilization to reach these goals. You can understand our work best by visiting our Projects page and looking at the issues we are currently working on.

If you are politically conservative or apolitical, you are welcome to join. Just please recognize that we are a group that was formed around a certain set of values and that will be engaged in work that reflects those values. If you are uncomfortable with Indians and Pakistanis working side by side, with a group that tries to make space for LGBTQ activists, or with poets and performers who explicitly address taboo issues, then you may not be comfortable at all our events.

I'm not interested in politics, but I'm passionate about the arts. Is there a place for me in SAPAC?

Definitely! Check out our Projects page for more info.

I've heard enough--I want to join! How do I get involved?

Great! Check out our Membership page for more info!

I'm still not sure. How do I learn more about SAPAC?

Browse through our website to check out the stuff we've done and what we're up to. Then get a feel for us by joining the listserv. You're also invited to meet SAPAC members by attending an event or coming to one of our monthly meetings.

I'm interested in volunteering in the South Asian community. Do you have any suggestions?

You can volunteer with us! We're always looking for help with our initiatives and events. We also usually partner with other mainstream, Asian American, and other South Asian organizations in our initiatives. You can do a lot of good for members of the South Asian / South Asian American / Asian American / immigrant community by volunteering with us.