Letter from the Outreach Coordinator

By Kiran Jayaram

Like other people at the Center, I feel at a loss for words regarding the Title VI grant. But rather than dwell upon this, we continue our work, perhaps even more diligently than we had done in the past.

Our activities since the fall included our usual happenings: the seminar organized by Saadia Malik on Islam and Sharia law, brownbag discussions by up-and-coming scholars like Abdourahmane Idrissa on postcoloniality in the Sahel, and the chock-full but all-too-brief transatlantic workshop chronicled by Alicia Monroe earlier in this newsletter. Beyond those, there were speaking engagements around the KU, Lawrence, and Kansas City community. The ASRC and the KU community benefited from an outstanding performance by Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, as promised, at the 1st Annual World Music Festival, organized by Clarence Henry. The band also agreed to a meet-and-greet at the Center with great food from different regions of Africa.

We're working on the upcoming fall semester calendar. For now, we're excited to have David Wiley, head of African Studies at Michigan State University, speaking at the MAAAS 2003 conference on "Teaching Africa".

Perhaps the event that required the most energy, though, was the Summer Teacher's Institute on Contemporary Africa. For more specific information, refer to the article by Khalid El-Hassan. As my knowledge of Africa falls mainly into the "diaspora" category, I enjoyed being able see how the issues raised in the Institute, like identity, health, and popular culture, parallel those I face in my own research. I particularly enjoyed the final day, where, after a beautiful feast provide by the participants of the Institute and others, the Kansas City-based music group Djembe Kaan laid down some West African polyrhythms. Unfortunately, the pictures of John Janzen and me dancing did not make it past the editor of this newsletter (namely, me).

I would hope that a love for learning about Africa and our Center would compel you to participate in our future activities. However, if you think that I overstate how rewarding events can be, I include the following note we received from one of our participants of the summer institute:

To whom it may concern:
I had the privilege of attending this summer's teacher Institute, The Contemporary Africa: Challenges, Realities and Renaissance. It proved to be a most worthwhile educational experience for me. I am embarking on a project in South Africa and so was needing an overview of the continent that was both current and informative. My expectations were more than met and I learned a great deal. I also was impressed with the high caliber of presenters and the wide range of information included....It is my hope that this valuable program will continue to be offered for our community's teachers. It is a wonderful resource and connects many people with the people and places to gain further knowledge.

Reading this shortly after learning that we did not receive VI funding, I felt a sense of accomplishment, despite the surprises we were dealt. So looking to the future, I remind you that the Center is regrouping, reorganizing, and adjusting to make it worthy of federal support. I believe that the upcoming semesters will be a time of building. I encourage you to take part. Make this your Center, for that is what it is. With a diligent effort on our side coordinated with active participation from the greater community's side, I know the future of the ASRC will be bright.