What can 3,000+ South Asian Americans and Allies Volunteering on One Day Do?

June 20, 2011

Be the Change 2011 is only 104 days away.

Many of you have probably received emails by now asking to sign up as coordinators in your campus or city. But why is this day important for our community, apart from an excuse to see old friends and make new ones while giving back to the community? What does it really do for you, your hometowns, our South Asian American community, and other marginalized communities in the U.S. and world?

Here are a few effects of BTC that you may have not thought of:

  • It brings together allies (other Asian Americans, local community members, BTC sponsors, BTC national partners, etc) and educates them on our struggles/accomplishments;
  • It provides a platform for South Asian American leaders to share their inspirational stories of public service to the community through the kick-off event;
  • It allows for many to build great leadership skills as BTC Coordinators which they can carry on to other projects, personal or for the public;
  • It raises awareness of social issues plaguing our country like domestic violence, housing rights, queerphobia, health disparities, environmental justice, etc.
  • It raises visibility of South Asian Americans as a means to counter any xenophobic notions about our communities which is important considering the many hate crimes and discriminatory policies facing South Asians all across the community;
  • It fights the subcontinent’s history of religious conflict by bringing together Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists and others in a space that usually isn’t present;
  • It also brings together many different South Asians (Pakistanis, Indians, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, Tibetans, Bhutanese, Nepalese, and others from the diaspora including Fiji, Trinidad, Kenya, etc) together to heighten the consciousness of our beautifully diverse community.

All in all, it creates and supports infrastructure to help South Asians give back to their communities, build stronger relationships with one other, celebrate our ethnic and religious heritages, and create visions for a more vibrant collective future!

So what are you waiting for? If you want to build community this year and be part of history, register as a Coordinator for your campus or city’s Be the Change 2011 day of service! You won’t regret it!

Contact Krupa for any questions or comments about SAALT’s Be the Change 2011.

Source: SAALT Blog