SAPAC is working with the Asian American Institute and a number of community organizations to mobilize Chicago’s entire pan-Asian community to vote in HUGE numbers on February 22. Here’s how you can contribute now:

We need to reach out to at least 1,000 infrequent registered voters in the 50th Ward before Election Day. We’ll be meeting on the following days in 2-hour shifts to do door-to-door canvassing and phone calling in the 50th Ward (we’ll provide you with training, maps, flyers, refreshments, and community service hours):

• Wed., Feb. 9: 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 3132 W. Devon Ave. (corner of Troy and Devon)
• Fri., Feb. 11: 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 3132 W. Devon Ave.

• Sat., Feb. 12:  10:00am – 12:00pm, 12:15pm – 2:15pm, 2:30pm – 4:30pm. Meet at Indo-American Center, 6328 N. California Ave. (corner of California and Devon)
• Wed., Feb. 16: 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 3132 W. Devon Ave.
• Fri., Feb. 18: 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 3132 W. Devon Ave.

• Sat., Feb. 19 and Sun., Feb. 20: 10:00am – 5:00pm. 2-3-hour shifts available. Meet at Indo-American Center. During these 48 hours, we’re going to reconnect with voters who have already heard from us through phone banking and door canvassing to confirm if they have already voted or have plans to vote on Feb. 22.

If you’re interested in volunteering on any of these days and being part of a historic election, please email Aisha Qidwae at aisha.qidwae@gmail.com. If you have any other questions about our voter mobilization work or the election, please email info@sapac.org.

Guest blogger Sung Yeon Choi-Morrow is the Community Organizer at Asian American Institute. Born in Korea and raised in India, she now enjoys working with various Asian American communities in Chicago.

You want a voice? Vote!

The other day while I was sipping a hot masala tea at a sweet shop on Devon I overheard a conversation about voting. What surprised me was not the content of the conversation but the fact that I still remembered enough Hindi from my childhood in India to understand what they were saying! Unfortunately the content of the conversation was far too familiar.

“Are you voting next week?”

“Oh, it’s election again? No, what’s the point?”

“Yeah, I know, it doesn’t make much of a difference, whether you vote or not.”

“That’s what I mean. Brother, your time is better spent somewhere else.”

Haven’t we all heard this conversation, or even participated in this conversation at some point?

The truth is, it may seem that it doesn’t matter, but it does.  I’d like to introduce to you the “Cockroach Effect” (sorry for the nasty visual here).  When you discover one little cockroach in the cabinet underneath your sink, you probably freak out for a second but then find Raid or a paper towel or something and just kill it. Unless you have an exceptional fear of roaches, you’ll probably forget about the incident and not think much about it.

But let’s say you opened up your cabinet under your kitchen sink and you saw hundreds if not thousands of roaches crawling around! The first thing I’d think is, “Yikes, I should’ve written down that phone number from the Orkin commercial!” And then I’d frantically Google “Orkin” and get a terminator out to my house.

In some ways politics works the same way. Yes, if one Indian American living on Devon decided to vote, no one may notice. Not the elected officials, not the candidates running, not the media, NO ONE. But if ALL the Asian Americans living in the 50^th Ward voted and had a historic turnout for November 2^nd, people would notice.

We need to work to create the Cockroach Effect! We need everyone to vote and get others out to vote.

If Asian Americans want to have a voice, get recognition, and bring resources to our community, we must vote, and get our people out to vote!

Please consider volunteering with the Asian American Institute for this weekend and Election Day in the 50^th Ward to make history by turning out the highest number of Asian American voters for a midterm election!

Please email Brandon@aaichicago.org for more information or call him at 773.271.0899 x200.

Commit to vote!

This month’s varied offerings include local and international film screenings, theatre performances, LGBT History Month readings, dance shows, political discussions, art exhibits, and galas, all featuring people of South Asian descent. Plus, we remind you to REGISTER TO VOTE by Oct. 5!

American Association of Retired Asians Gala @ Ashyana Banquets
Friday, October 1 @ 7:00pm

This nonprofit dedicated to the needs of aging South Asian Americans presents its second annual fundraising dinner.

Merchants of Bollywood @ Auditorium Theatre
Friday, October 1 – Saturday, October 2 @ 8:00pm

The “international dance spectacular” comes to the beautiful Auditorium in downtown Chicago.

Chicago South Asian Film Festival @ Chicago Cultural Center & Columbia College
Friday, October 1 – Sunday, October 3

Check out our previous post on the festival for more details.

Falling Petals @ Theatre 773
Saturday, October 2 @ 1:00pm

Erasing the Distance and the Asian American Suicide Prevention Initiative (AASPI) present this multimedia theatre performance that shares true stories of people of Asian and Indian descent who have been impacted by mental illness and suicide.

Anila Sinha Foundation @ North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
Saturday, October 2 @ 7:00pm

The Anila Sinha Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Chicago’s International House, presents “6th Element,” a multimedia Kathak dance performance that addresses the issue of global warming.

Sringara: Love and Devotion @ North Central College
Sunday, October 3 @ 4:00pm

The Samskriti Foundation presents a Bharatanatyam performance by the duo of Shijith Nambar and Parvathy Menon with a live orchestra.

Voter Registration Deadline
Tuesday, October 5

Tuesday, October 5 is the deadline to register to vote or update your voter information for the November 2 General Election!

Chicago Voter Registration Info

Suburban Cook County Voter Registration Info (outside Chicago)

Illinois Voter Registration Info

Seats up for grabs in this election include IL Senator, Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, some Representatives, some State Representatives, Cook County Board President, a slew of judges, and a whole lot more. It’s an important election, so make sure you’re registered!

SAPAC will be sharing more election information in the coming weeks, so stay tuned to our website.

Darpana Performing Group @ Old Town School of Folk Music
Wednesday, October 6 – Thursday, October 7

The Darpana Academy of Performing Arts of Gujarat presents a diverse dance program that uses classical, folk, tribal, and contemporary choreography to celebrate India’s multiculturalism and plurality. The 10-member troupe will also host a workshop as part of the school’s Thursday Workshop Series on October 7.

Yasmin Nair @ Chicago Public Library – Bezazian Branch ADDED 10/7
Saturday, October 9 @ 2:00pm

Against Equality: Queer Critiques of Gay Marriage, published by the Against Equality collective, documents the historical foundations of queer resistance to the gay marriage mainstream alongside contemporary critiques that engage issues of race, class, gender, citizenship, and age. The panel will feature presentations by three of the anthology’s contributors: artist and collective founder Ryan Conrad, historian and UIC professor John D’Emilio, and Yasmin Nair, a local writer and member of Gender JUST.

Natya Dance Theatre @ North Central College
Saturday, October 9 @ 8:00pm

The dancers of Natya perform “Invitation to the Dance” with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra, featuring works by Weber, Ravel, and Berlioz.

SAPAC General Meeting @ Chava Cafe ADDED 10/7
Sunday, October 10 @ 1:00pm

Join us for our next general meeting to discuss our 2010 voter outreach campaign, past and upcoming events, and more!

Candidates Forum @ Bombay Hall ADDED 10/7
Sunday, October 10 @ 2:00pm

The American Muslim Task Force on Civil Rights & Elections and Illinois Committee for Honest Government present a Candidates Forum in the West Ridge/Devon neighborhood for the offices of U.S. Senate, Governor, Attorney General, Cook County President, Treasurer, Comptroller, Cook County Sheriff and several others. Bombay Hall is at 2448 W. Devon Ave.

Gurcharan Das @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/7
Tuesday, October 12 @ 6:00pm

The author of India Unbound discusses his newest book, The Difficulty of Being Good, a treatise on the ethical dilemmas presented in the Mahabarata and “how we can come to terms with the uncertain ethics of the world today.”

Sapna Kumar @ Gerber Hart Library
Wednesday, October 13 @ 7:00pm

Indian comic and storyteller (and Friend of SAPAC) Sapna Kumar joins a lineup of writers reading from their works about LGBT people, places, and events in history as part of Gerber Hart’s LGBT History Month celebration.

CA$H Film Screening @ AMC River East 21
Thursday, October 14 @ 5:30pm

Columbia [College Chicago] Night of the Chicago International Film Festival features the film CA$H, starring Sean Bean and produced by Chicago filmmaker Naveen Chathappuram. Filmmakers, cast, and crew are expected to participate in a Q&A session after the screening.

Rex Ghosh @ Borders ADDED 10/15
Friday, October 15 @ 3:00pm

Indian-born author and economist Ghosh signs his new thriller Nineteenth Street NW at the Borders on State St.

Natraj Dance @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/15
Friday, October 15 @ 7:00pm

The Natraj Dance Academy will perform with a live orchestra at U of C’s International House as part of Nobel Laureate Chandrasekhar’s Centennial Program.

Swati Avasthi @ Barbara’s Bookstore ADDED 10/15
Saturday, October 16 @ 7:00pm

Young Adult novelist Avasthi (Split) joins fellow YA author Alexandra Diaz for a YA Authors Night at the UIC branch of Barbara’s.

Shabana Azmi @ North Shore Center for the Performing Arts ADDED 10/15
Sunday, October 17 @ 6:30pm

Shabana Azmi appears in Girish Karnad’s play Broken Images for one night only. What more do I need to say? It’s Shabana Azmi!

Natya Dance Theatre @ Daley Plaza
Tuesday, October 19 @ 12:00pm

Natya performs Bharatanatyam as part of the City of Chicago’s “Under the Picasso” series of free weekday cultural programs.

Imtiaz Gul @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/7
Tuesday, October 19 @ 6:00pm

Gul, Executive Director of the Centre for Research and Security Studies at Islamabad, speaks on the flood disaster in Pakistan.

Coffee Conversations with Pakistani Legislative Fellows @ WorldChicago
Wednesday, October 20 @ 8:00am

World Chicago (formerly the International Visitors Center of Chicago) presents an opportunity to chat with 6 legislative research professionals from Pakistan who will be in Chicago for 3 weeks completing fellowships with federal and state legislative offices while living with Chicago-area families.

From Chicago to Lahore: Connecting Edge @ Chicago Cultural Center
Wednesday, October 20 @ 5:00pm

The Lahore Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International presents this exhibit of drawings, films, photographs, writings, and paintings by artists from Lahore and Chicago. Opening reception at 5:00pm.

World Music for Pakistan Benefit @ Mayne Stage ADDED 10/7
Wednesday, October 20 @ 7:00pm

A benefit for Actual Size Global for Pakistani flood relief, featuring Lamajamal (gypsy surf), Eyes Manouche (Balkan gypsy jazz), Kevin Leeds and Global Cooling (rock/soul/world fusion) & DJ RomaSoul (gypsy/eastern beats).

Sarwat Rumi @ Gerber Hart Library
Thursday, October 21 @ 7:00pm

The library continues its celebration of LGBT History Month with another set of readings from local writers including Friend of SAPAC Sarwat Rumi.

Rochona Majumdar @ University of Chicago ADDED 10/7
Saturday, October 23 @ 2:00pm

The Indian historian speaks about Radical Cinema and the “Film Society” Movement in India for the university’s 32nd annual Humanities Day. Additional South-Asia-related programs that day include a screening of Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali and talks about How Islam Begin; War, Trauma, and Humanism in Literature from Sri Lanka; and Women in Modern South and Southeast Asian Buddhism.

Crossing Cultures feat. Natya Dance @ Harold Washington Library
Saturday, October 23 – Sunday, October 24

In its first annual cross-cultural dance festival, Natya Dance Theatre bridges traditions from not just North and South India, but also the Eastern and Western hemispheres. The festival, which spans the weekend of October 23rd and 24th, brings together a group of diverse and innovative artists including Krithika Rajagopalan, Uma Dogra, DanceWorks Chicago, and Hedwig Dances. Each evening also features a unique collaboration between Mordine & Co. and Natya, to exemplify the bridging of classical and modern dance forms in this festival.

Kavita Ramdas @ Blackstone Hotel
Monday, October 25 @ 12:00pm

Ramdas, a senior advisor to the Global Fund for Women and a visiting fellow and scholar at Stanford University’s Center for Philanthropy and Civil Society and the Center for Democracy, Development, and Rule of Law at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Affairs, participates in the Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ panel called “Smart Money: Granting Opportunities for Women Worldwide.”

Stir-Friday Night’s “Bubble Tea Party” @ Chicago Center for the Performing Arts ADDED 10/7
Friday, October 29 @ 7:30pm

The Chicago Asian American sketch comedy troupe celebrates its 15th anniversary with a new show that opens October 29 and continues through November 20.

Jai Ho(rror)! @ Big Chicks ADDED 10/7
Friday, October 29 @ Time TBA

Trikone Chicago hosts a Halloween edition of its wildly popular queer desi party. Exact details TBA–click the link above to join their Facebook group and get an invite when it’s available.

Hamdard Center Gala @ Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Saturday, October 30 @ 6:00pm

SAPAC is proud to support the Hamdard Center for Health and Human Services’ 18th Annual Gala. Guests will enjoy Indo-Pakistani cuisine, a cultural show, live auction, and ethnic bazaar while raising funds for the agency’s social service programs. Featuring Sufi Qawwali superstar Amjad Sabri and master of ceremonies Ravi Baichwal of ABC7 News.

Music and Dance from Asia @ North Central College
Saturday, October 30 @ 7:00pm

The Naperville-based Xilin Art Center presents a celebration of Asian heritage featuring music and dance from countries including India.

Bharatanatyam dancer Chande performs and discusses using dance in storytelling.

Ravi & Anoushka Shankar @ Symphony Center ADDED 10/18
Saturday, October 30 @ 8:00pm

Shankar and daughter Anoushka perform in a celebration of the sitar master’s 90th birthday.

The World Stage: India-Sri Lanka @ Rhona Hoffman Gallery
Continuing through October 23

Wiley’s portraits of young men from New Delhi, Mumbai, and Sri Lanka are based on major historical paintings but with the subjects placed in new, culturally specific settings. Wiley has done similar series featuring young men from Brazil, China, and Africa, all vivid and striking.

Water Ways @ Walsh Gallery
Continuing through November 13

The West Loop-based Walsh Gallery presents an exhibition exploring the way art and water intersect as seen by prominent artists from China and India, including Vivan Sundaram, Reena Kallat, Gulam Mohammed Sheikh, and Sheba Chhachhi. While the pics don’t do some of the work justice, a preview of the show is available on the gallery’s website.

Jitish Kallat @ Art Institute of Chicago
Continuing through January 2, 2011

“September 11–today the date alone refers to the unforgettable events of 2001, the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Yet, 108 years earlier in 1893, this date was marked by a very different occasion, the landmark speech by Swami Vivekananda at the First World Parliament of Religions promoting religious tolerance. Internationally renowned Indian artist Jitish Kallat draws attention to the great chasm between these two events with his site-specific installation, Public Notice 3,” which opened on September 11, 2010.

A great weekly show for all of you interested in Asian American politics to check out…

Asia Pacific Forum
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
8:00-9:00 pm EST

WBAI 99.5 FM, New York City
Podcasting and streaming live at Asia Pacific Forum

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NYC Solidarity with Immigrants in Arizona: On July 29th, the State of Arizona is expected to implement the controversial immigration law SB 1070. To stand in solidarity with those fighting the law, groups in New York have organized a march across the Brooklyn Bridge and protest on Thursday, July 29th. We speak with the event organizers, MONAMI MAULIK of Desis Rising Up and Moving and MICHELLE FEI of Immigrant Defense Project, about the solidarity action and how laws like SB 1070 are relevant to immigrant communities here in New York City.

Experimental Prison Units for Muslims and Environmental Activists: The Federal Bureau of Prisons operates two “Communications Management Units”–experimental prison units in Illinois and Indiana designed to isolate prisoners from the general population.  Two-thirds of the prisoners housed there are Muslims who have been banned without explanation from interacting with other prisoners and regular phone calls and visitation. Environmental rights activists are housed there too. RACHEL MEEROPOL, Staff Attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, joins us to talk about the recent federal lawsuit she filed against the Federal Bureau of Prisons challenging the CMUs, and the government’s recent attempt to have the suit dismissed.

MI21:  Mother India–the 21st Century Remix: MI21 reimagines and reworks Mother India, the epic Bollywood film that captures the post-colonial Indian psyche, into a performance piece–60 minutes of visual images accompanied live by a DJ and musicians. We’ll talk about the relevance of the film for contemporary audiences and the creative process behind adapting such an iconic film with JOYOJEET PAL and INDY HUNJAN of Kala Phool in advance of the U.S. premiere of MI21 at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on Thursday, July 29th.

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This program is brought to you by Silky Shah, Chitra Aiyar, Naureen Shah, and Amna Akbar of the APF Collective.

For last week’s show on Chenoan and US militarism, gentrification in Chinatown, and a “non”Asian-American arts exhibition, click here.

Every Tuesday from 8-9 PM EST, Asia Pacific Forum brings you coverage of Asian American and Asian news, politics, and culture. For more information see Asia Pacific Forum or contact them via info@asiapacificforum.org.

Check out the South Asian Philanthropy Project’s Q&A with SAPAC member and blogger Aparna Sharma, co-chair of the Asian Giving Circle in Chicago.

If you aren’t familiar with the Asian Giving Circle, it’s composed of a group of donors who pool their money into a fund and distribute it annually to selected organizations serving the Asian American community in Chicago. It’s an innovative and powerful way to support the many agencies addressing a wide range of issues in our community and has served as a model for similar giving circles around the country.

TAKING ON POSTRACIALISM: RACIAL JUSTICE AND ASIAN AMERICANS TODAY

Cosponsored by SAPAC and presented by the Program in Asian American Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago

Monday, March 15, 2010
4:00 p.m.
University of Illinois at Chicago
Student Center East, 3rd floor, Cardinal Room
750 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607

Free and open to the public. No RSVP required. For questions or more information, please contact Bill Gallaga in the Program in Asian American Studies at (312) 355-3448 or gallaga@uic.edu.

About the Program
SAPAC invites you to “Taking on Postracialism: Racial Justice and Asian Americans Today,” a talk by Rinku Sen, executive director of the Applied Research Center and publisher of ColorLines magazine.

What does it mean to study Asian American politics and identity when colorblindness is dogmatically pushed in the media and in policymaking? Postracialism undermines our ability to promote API empowerment, equity and inclusion, as well as alliances with other communities, but there are promising alternatives. Ms. Sen will talk about the nexus of racial justice, immigration, and Asian American identity, and historicize seemingly race-neutral policies that affect Asian Americans today. Using video, research studies and story-telling, she will explore the ways in which institutional racism and colorblindness foster resistance to racial justice standards for APAs and people of color communities.

This event is also cosponsored by the UIC Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy (IRRPP), the UIC Asian American Resource and Cultural Center (AARCC), Chicago Foundation for Women, and DesiLit. It is a Women’s History Month event.

Accessibility
UIC’s Student Center East is wheelchair accessible. The elevator is located inside the Halsted Street entrance. If you have accessibility questions, please contact Bill Gallaga in the Program in Asian American Studies at (312) 355-3448 or gallaga@uic.edu.