People of color know what it's like to feel seen, but unseen. When we’re visible, we’re usually typecast. We define ourselves differently than how people see us, which is why we seek spaces (like Ethel's Club) for self-definition.

With a focus on South Asian identity, Defining Desi will explore what it means to be South Asian or desi identified in a time of political upheaval, and how we can use storytelling and activism to advocate for our community and others. This space is for everyone — we’re coming together to support the South Asian community but welcome people of all identities to show their support and share their stories.

About This Event

2020 has already been quite a year, but we’re working to build community in a time of division and unrest. Through deep conversations and radical visions, we’re coming together to share knowledge and inspiration for how we can impact the vote and design a future we believe in. Join us to explore how we can create and manifest change in our communities.

This event will feature Shahana Hanif, an organizer and activist making a historic bid for New York City Council, Tanaïs, a multidisciplinary artist and perfumer, Thanu Yakupitiyage, an activist, media professional and artist, and Rage Kidvai, a public defender, in conversation with Nayantara Dutta.

About The Organizer

Nayantara Dutta is a writer, strategist and third culture kid. She created the report and photo series Unapologetically Muslim, which explores the power and influence of Muslim women in the US, UK and Indonesia. Growing up around the world, she works to tell stories that improve visibility for underrepresented communities.

About The Speakers

Shahana Hanif is a community organizer and disability rights activist born and raised in Kensington, Brooklyn. She is making a historic bid as a Bangladeshi Muslim woman running for New York City Council in Brooklyn’s 39th District. For her work fighting against domestic violence, Shahana was profiled in the New York Times following her work to help a young Bangladeshi woman escape from an abusive forced marriage to safety at Asiyah Women's Center. Shahana is a Lupus survivor and a bionic femme. She is a founding member of the Bangladeshi Feminist Collective and currently the Director of Organizing at Council Member Brad Lander’s office.

Tanaïs (née Tanwi Nandini Islam) is the author of the critically-acclaimed novel BRIGHT LINES and the founder of independent beauty & fragrance house Hi Wildflower. Over the course of their career, they’ve worked as a community organizer, a domestic violence court advocate, a probation intake officer, and a youth arts educator. Currently, Tanaïs is working on their second novel, STELLAR SMOKE, a podcast and perfume anthology project, MALA, and IN SENSORIUM. a collection of essays on the socio-political & cultural importance of perfume.

Thanushka (Thanu) Yakupitiyage is a Sri Lankan, Thailand-raised activist, Brooklyn-based media professional, cultural organizer, multidisciplinary artist, and DJ under the artist moniker “Ushka.” She’s lived in New York City for almost 10 years, working as a media professional and storyteller in the immigrant rights movement and more recently in the climate justice movement. She hosts Bad Brown Aunties with Rage Kidvai, a podcast about art, culture, politics, and legacy.

Rage Kidvai is a queer Muslim immigrant from Pakistan currently working as a public defender. Since moving to Brooklyn almost a decade ago, Rage's work and activism has focused on queer and trans liberation, immigrant justice, and prison abolition. They are also a visual artist, media maker and hair stylist. Their work on the podcast Bad Brown Aunties, with Thanu Yakupitiyage, was recently recognized on the HuffPost 2020 Culture Shifters list.