Ringing in 2013 with WMST, LGBTQ, and ALST!

Last night the ALANA Ambassadors broke bread with interns from around the social activist community at Colgate by having breakfast for dinner and talking about some of the cool events we'll be putting on this semester. We also used our strength in numbers to make signs for the upcoming Colgate Against Hate game, which we'll be handing out at the game in just two short weeks!

Interested in some of the highlight news from our little party?

LANI GUINIER is coming on February 6th, and she was the first black woman to receive tenure at Harvard. ALANA will be hosting a dinner with her as part of our Black History Month celebrations. Contact Sarah Ellis to reserve a spot!

QUEERFEST is in two weeks, ending with the Blue for Q Game at Cotterell Court featuring Colgate's Basketball team on Saturday February 16 at 2pm. The game will be featured on ESPN, which we're all excited about!

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES will be on February 14 and 15, and I know I'll be bringing my friends on Valentine's Day to hear actual testimonials from Colgate Women.

A Message From Our Team...

Salman Rushdie

Salman Rushdie is a writer of Indian descent, primarily famous for his controversial book, The Satanic Verses, for which he was sentenced to death by the Iranian Court.
 

According to its critics, the book depicts Mohammed, the Muslim prophet, in a blasphemous way. For example, Salman Rushdie included in the book an episode in which Mohammed allegedly proclaims polytheism, by accepting the existence of three ancient goddesses in a few pagan verses (“satanic verses”) of the Quran (which have supposedly been eliminated).

Such depictions were considered highly offensive by the mufti of Iran (the country's spiritual leader) and prompted him to issue a fatwa against Salman Rushdie, placing a bounty on his death in 1989, less than a year after the publication of the book.
 

Twenty three years later, the author writes another book, Joseph Anton, retelling the experiences he has had while in hiding, and highlighting the need for cultural and religious discourse, and the importance of free speech.

Come listen to his stories this Thursday, November the 29^th, in the Chapel, at 4.30!

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Break!

Happy Thanksgiving from ALANA! Enjoy your break and be safe.

Want to start your Friday early?

COME TO THE CULTURAL DANCE PARTY 

TONIGHT (FRIDAY, NOV. 16) AT 5:30 PM. 

WEAR NEON, LEARN DANCE MOVES, 

LISTEN TO MUSIC, EAT INDIAN FOOD!

For more info email aisler!

Crooked Arrows: Next Wednesday!

Come see Crooked Arrows FREE at the Hamilton Movie Theater on November 14th at 7pm.

The plotline focuses on Native American lacrosse players, including players who live nearby in Oneida. Check out the movie's website, here.

Diwali

Diwali, popularly known as the festival of lights, is one of the most important Hindu festivals of the year, and is celebrated in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad& Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.

The name “Diwali” is a contraction of the Sanskrit word “Deepavali”, which translates into “row of lamps”. In fact, for Diwali people place small clay lamps filled with oil, and light them, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. At night, there are also fireworks, which are meant to drive away the evil spirits. During the five-day celebration, people wear new clothes and share sweets with friends and family.

Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama from his 14-year-long exile after defeating the demon-king Ravana. The people of the Lord Rama celebrated by illuminating the kingdom with lamps and by bursting firecrackers.

Colgate’s Hindu Student Association will celebrate Diwali this Saturday, November 10^th, at 6pm, with Indian food in the Hall of Presidents, and then fireworks in the Whitnall Field.