Speaking for the Nation: Ethno-Nationalism, Sectarianism, and the Politics of Diaspora

Presented by the Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU. Co-sponsored by the Gallatin Human Rights Initiative, Asian/Pacific/American Studies Program in the NYU Department of Social & Cultural Analysis, NYU Center for the Study of Gender & Sexuality, South Asia at NYU, and Rebecca E. Karl (NYU History Department) through funds provided by the Provost's Office.

Curated by Paula Chakravartty and Crystal Parikh.

Often driven by militarism and neo-imperial ambitions, the hardening of ethno-nationalism and sectarianism across much of Asia and the Middle East has transformed diasporic political and cultural formations. Increasingly, we see ethno-nationalist and sectarian logics determining who gets to speak on behalf of postcolonial national communities, fraught with inequality, military occupations, and geopolitical tensions throughout the region. This symposium addresses the transnational dimensions of contemporary postcolonial nationalisms and racialized majoritarianisms to consider the possibilities for diasporic dissent and coalitional solidarities.

This venue is on the eighth floor and is accessible via elevator. Restrooms are not all gender. If you have any access needs, please email apa.rsvp@nyu.edu. 

SCHEDULE

4:00 p.m. Welcome and Introductions

Crystal Parikh, NYU

Paula Chakravartty, NYU

4:15-5:45 p.m. Panel

Speaking as the Nation: Right Wing Politics and the Diaspora

Mona Bhan, Syracuse University, and Samia Shafi, Stand with Kashmir

Josen Masangkay Diaz, University of California, San Diego

Junaid Rana, University of Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Moderated by Paula Chakravartty, NYU

5:45-6:15 p.m. Break

6:15-7:45 p.m. Roundtable

Speaking Back: Exile & Diasporic Activism

Karen Buenavista Hanna, Connecticut College

Asli Igsiz, NYU

Manijeh Moradian, Barnard College

Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Equality Labs

Ajinur Setiwaldi, attorney and activist

Moderated by Asha Nadkarni, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

7:45-8:00 p.m. Closing Remarks

8:00-8:30 p.m: Reception

Image: “National demonstration for Kashmir at the Indian High Commission, London 10th August 2019” by Steve Eason is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.