Conversation between Lahiri and Nair

Mira Nair, who directed this course's assigned film Monsoon Wedding, also directed the film adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri's award-winning novel The Namesake. We are reading the Hema and Kaushik trilogy in Lahiri's more recent collection, Unaccustomed Earth. Here is a filmed conversation between the two artists to enrich our discussion of the connections in their work.

Jhumpa Lahiri talks about Unaccustomed Earth

You can hear Lahiri's answers to the interviewer's questions here. Other interviews with the author are here.

How to Read, by an Author

Thanks to classmate Angela Lewis for the link to this presentation with Nigerian writer Chimamanda Adichie. Adichie states that our various lives and cultures are composed of many overlapping stories. The novelist warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.

How does Adichie's statement track with what we've been learning this semester about responsible reading, cross-culturally?

“Re-Thinking Our Environment" student showcase 11/17

The Institute for Visual Studies (IVS) has hosted two courses, Environmental Design and Environmental Rhetoric, this semester. The final exhibition of students' work, "Re-Thinking Our Environment," is on Tuesday, November 17th, from 11:00-1:00 in Roop 208 with refreshments. Internationally renowned artist and designer Michael Singer will lead a discussion.


Using sustainable design practices, one class designed landscapes for specific sites throughout campus. Students in the other course created public education campaigns intended to help us re-imagine our relationship to the environment. The exhibit will be open at IVS until Friday, December 18th. For more information, please contact Daniel Robinson at robinsdl@jmu.edu.

Study Abroad Funding Opportunity

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi will award competitive scholarships for undergraduate study abroad opportunities during the 2010-11 academic year. Interested students may obtain information and application materials from the organizations web site. Apply directly to Phi Kappa Phi national headquarters. This is an excellent opportunity for you to receive financial support for a study abroad experience. I encourage you all to apply. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Professor Chris Arndt, Department of History and Associate Dean ph: (540)568-3993; fax: (540)568-6556.

Sister Speak Reading: 11/15

Sister Speak, JMU s feminist literary zine, presents a literature reading on Sunday November 15th. Authors from the fall '09 issue, will read opinion essays, poetry, and prose at 8 p.m. in Taylor Down Under. If you are interested in hearing some of JMU s poignant, inspirational, and indomitable feminist voices, please come for a remarkable night. A short, informal informational session about The Vagina Monologues will follow. For further information, contact Sister Speak at sisterspeak@gmail.com.

MyAfricanDiaspora.com Short Story Contest

The competition is open to anyone, any country or continent, but the main character must be of African descent. The conveners believe this is a first competition of its kind, an international creative competition focused on providing positive, diverse images of people of color. Please let me know if you enter! Competition details are here.

African Literature Association Conference Call for Papers

The ALA Conference 2010 will be held in Tuscon, AZ (USA) at the University of Arizona, 10-14 March 2010 around the theme, "Eco-Imagination: African and Diasporan Literatures and Sustainability". You can read a complete theme statement here. Please send paper abstracts by December 15, 2009 to the convener, Irène d'Almeida at ala2010tucson@gmail.com. Please let me know if you submit a proposal, or if you want help in doing so.

Woman of Distinction Awards – Call for Nominations

A woman of distinction inspires through imagination, innovation and dedication; talent and achievement; strength of character and sincere service. A woman who possesses passion for the people and places making up her everyday life, who breathes life and energy into our community: this is a woman of distinction. The University Health Center’s Student Wellness & Outreach is accepting nominations for the 2010 Woman of Distinction Award. Three awards will be given: one each for a JMU student, faculty, and staff. Award recipients will be honored at a reception in January, 2010. Woman of Distinction the President’s Diversity Enhancement Award recipients will be recognized. More information and a nomination form are here. Nominations are due by November 6, 2009. Contact Heather Driver atdriverhf@jmu.edu or 568-2831 with questions. Please let me know if you nominate anyone.

From Classmate Saran

Thank you, Saran Sukhtumur, for bringing this article, on race and marriage in the United States, to my attention and to that of the class:

What does the article suggest about notions of normalcy in marriage? How does race impinge on the question of what "marriage" can be? How do these issues relate to questions we've discussed in class regarding marriage, race, gender, and normalcy?

Alumna Reading: Miracle Temple, 11/5, 7pm

The Creative Writing Program celebrates the recent publication of Miracle Temple, Poems by Esther Stenson with a reading on Thursday, November 5, at 7 p.m. in Taylor 402. Esther received her M.A. in English at JMU several years ago, and she is currently teaching in the English Department and WRTC.
Miracle Temple, Esther's first book of poems, is an outgrowth of her M.A. Thesis in Creative Writing. From the smouldering ash of an Amish fire in Pennsylvania to mountain snow reflected in Black Dragon pool in Lijianng, China, Stenson crafts the frank, unsentimental details of life experience into poems that are biblical, ecological, elegiac and redemptive. Her poems embody wanderlust, curiosity, and resilient spirit. Copies of her book will be available for sale at the reading.

Asian Culture Week (Nov. 2-7)

The Asian Student Union (ASU) promotes and increases awareness and understanding of the similarities and differences of Asian American cultures.

Monday, November 2:
. Lion Dance on the Commons (12-1pm) Come to the Commons to watch a traditional Chinese performance of the Lion Dance.
. Karaoke in Grafton-Stovall (6-9pm) Karaoke has Asian origins but international appeal; love it or hate it, Karaoke is truly a cultural element meant for sharing.

Tuesday, November 3:
. Tea Tasting on the Commons (10 am 2 pm) ASU will provide an assortment of teas for tasting. Come out and enjoy the variety.
. Wong Fu Productions (6:30-9pm) YouTube pop icons Wong Fu Productions will discuss various topics including their experience as independent film makers, the role of the internet on popular media, and the obstacles facing Asian-American film makers and actors.

Wednesday, November 4:
. Asian Snacks on the Commons (10am 2pm) Pocky, tamarind candy, and shrimp crackers; they sound eclectic, but for Asians and Asian-Americans they re as common as potato chips and lollipops. Come out and sample some tasty Eastern treats.

Thursday, November 5:
. Green Origami on the Commons (10am-2pm) Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. Drop by the commons and learn to make more than just paper airplanes, and be sure to bring any used paper you may have!
. Asian Cuisine Night at D-Hall (4:30-7:30pm) Craving eastern cuisine? Don t order out; eat in (D-hall, that is)! Just as the name implies, D-hall will be serving Asian cuisine for dinner.

Friday, November 6:
. Philanthropy Day on the Commons (10am-2pm) The Asian Student Union alone with other CMSS orgs will be on the commons asking for donations to support their respective international philanthropies.

Saturday, November 7:
. ASU s 11th Annual Culture Show
When: Doors open at 7pm, Show starts at 7:30
Where: Memorial Hall Auditorium
How much: Absolutely Free!