Spilled Chai X UC Student of Color Conference at UC Berkley
November 6th - November 8th 2015
Almost two months ago, myself and Lil’ Spinach were given the amazing opportunity to be delegates from UC Riverside to go to the UC Student Of Color Conference up in Berkeley. Along with being delegates, we were given the opportunity to host a workshop called “Hair and Lovely: Discussing Euro-centric Beauty Standards” and perform as well. Your favorite duo did a fusion spoken word and bharat nataym performance. I wrote and performed a piece called “Gaar Ki Awaaz” (Sound of Home), while Palak danced to the story it entailed. The workshop was amazing, and so eye opening of the power embodied in our youth and the waves their voice creates. Also, the performance was not a failure!! Most importantly, from this entire experience I am filled with so much love and gratitude for meeting so many people. Helping be apart of a conversation and safe space to discuss the issues that plague one’s one’s identity is an experience that my words can never articulate. I had no idea so many people would show up to the workshop, I had no idea so many people would give us this much feedback for all our work. Yet, what matters to me is how much I learned from the workshop and the conference as a whole. It really makes you take a step back from the world you engulf yourself in, and see those surrounding you, and seeing their struggles. Meeting all these beautiful souls really is something else. We are all learners of this duniya, learners and students of so many forms and concepts. What I realized was simply having the opportunity to express yourself and educate yourself is a blessing that I know I’ve taken for granted. Overall, it was humbling, just extremely humbling for my existence in this universe. (◕‿◕✿) // Sumeera
Like Sumeera mentioned earlier, we had the amazing opportunity to attend the UC Student of Color Conference at UC Berkeley. We hosted our first workshop discussing topics that touched upon issues of colorism, caste system, and european dominated ideologies of appearance and physical beauty. The amount of love and light we received and from the students who attended our workshop was indescribable. It was as if someone had turned the walls of our classroom, into enormous arms that scooped us up and cradled a group of strangers to embody such a beautiful understanding of each other's presence in the room. While standing and listening to the brave stories and insight of my peers, all I could feel was a wave of inspiration and empowerment flow throughout my body. The fact that we were able to create such a magical space by connecting issues that not only affected the South Asian community, but many other ethnic groups as well was indeed a very satisfying reward. We were able to facilitate a dialogue that opened up a platform that brought similar perspectives from different backgrounds into the forefront of our main topic of discussion. Being able to be a part of a conference that brought about so much emotion, passion, and positivity regarding such a diverse group of individuals was something I will never forget. Many thanks to the lovely people I got to meet and learn from during this adventure. Shukriya // Palak
