Association

Akansha Das

managing editor

During the 2022 Spring Semester, W&J welcomed a new cultural student organization on campus! The Indian Student Association (ISA), founded by Shri Satish, Lekhya Kollu, Vaishnavi Peyyety, Nidhi Pulicherla, Dev Kartan, and Pooja Potluri, aims to promote knowledge and awareness of Indian culture on campus through a diverse array of catered events, Indian festivals, and more! On Thursday Feb. 24th, the club hosted their first event – Chaat and Chat - in the Ski Lodge. Serving mango lasi (like a mango milkshake) and chaat (a traditionally Indian snack with onions, chickpeas, cilantro, a variety of spices and sweet, and often some hashbrowns), the event aimed to create an environment where W&J community members could interact and socialize openly while collectively enjoying staples of Indian meals. The group also plans to host a “Holi” festival in March celebrating festival of color that marks the start of Spring in India.

When asked what motivated founders to start ISA, they responded “we founded ISA because we wanted an outlet for our Indian community to express and connect with their cultural identity. Diversity and inclusion are an integral part of W&J’s mission, and we hope to advance it by establishing an organization where students can feel comfortable.”

Much of race and gender theory centers on the idea that marginalized groups are often made to feel like an “other.” This othering and setting white, cis, heterosexual, males at the center or “default” of social and political conversations can subtly reinforce ideas that minority students are not welcome in certain communities. ISA aims to slowly erode the othering many marginalized students have faced by creating a space where students can “celebrate festivals and events the same way they would if they were home.”

It’s clear that excitement for ISA are high on campus given the large turnout at the Thursday Chaat and Chat event. A wide range of students and professors were seen supporting and enjoying food, showing enthusiasm extends both to community memers who identify as Indian and those who don’t! And this aligns with the goals of event organizers who said “everyone of all background is welcome to participate, as we especially would like people to know that this is an opportunity to become educated about other cultures and increase their own social awareness, while trying new foods and activities from a different part of the world.” event

Courtesy Vaishnavi Peyyety

Featured here are just a few of the member of the ISA: from left to right, respectively, is Dev Kartan, Vaishnavi Peyyety, Lekhya Kollu, Shri Sathish, Nidhi Pulicherla, and Pooja Potluri.

CALLING ALL SENIOR MAGELLAN PROJECT APPLICANTS: The Red & Black Campus Newspaper is still looking for students willing to share their experiences with the 2022 Magellan project application, as well as students willing to share their opinions on restrictions. Please contact the staff at redandblackstaff@washjeff.edu or email hahnkv@washjeff. edu if you’re willing and intersted in being interviewed.