LA Upstander: SAMEAN Voices

There are approximately 40 group members; however, the following students hold leadership positions: Alina R., Abu I., Briana L., Mariam R., and Anika S.

Teacher Advisor: Hala D.

SAMEAN (South Asian Middle Eastern Arab North African) Voices has held a workshop every week this year. The workshops have covered a variety of topics including: such as “How to be a Productive Ally,” critical media literacy, gender norms, cultural appropriation, healing circles, vigils against white supremacy and anti-Asian violence and misogyny, intersectionality, building solidarity with Black students, building solidarity between AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) and AMEMSA (Arab, Middle. Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian) communities, and the farmers’ protest in India. The group is currently developing a workshop called "What is Abolition? that they are hosting with Dr. Akhila Ananth, CSULA Professor of Criminal Justice.

Each week, SAMEAN Voices consistently builds engaging and interactive curriculum, facilitating vulnerable and transformative dialogues for their peers. While SAMEAN Voices presents from an AMEMSA experience, they are open to all students and staff and their meetings have a high multiracial and multiethnic attendance. In addition to their own weekly club meetings and workshops, they have also held collaborative meetings with two other student clubs: Black Student Union and Expressive Asians. They hosted a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) workshop on mental health open to all students, faculty, and staff. The group truly builds community, creates awareness, and provides a brave space for both students and staff to come together in response to timely issues.