Sep 20, 2021
CONVERSATION WITH PROFESSOR SHERYL NOMELLI ABOUT THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN AMERICAN HISTORY
I am very excited about my upcoming conversation with Professor Sheryl Nomelli, a passionate history professor who has inspired many of her students to critically examine American History, especially to understand women's contributions to America. As soon as I started listening to Professor Nomelli's podcasts, I wanted to talk to her immediately. We come across many educators in our lives, but few leave indelible impressions on our consciousness. Hearing Professor Nomelli, I knew she is a teacher to be treasured by any student. I wish I had a history professor like her during my undergraduate days. The USA gained independence from Britain in 1776. Surprisingly, the United States Supreme Court ensured that women could not be excluded from a venire or jury pool in 1975 after 200 years of independence. US military can terrorize the world to establish their version of democracy but failed to treat American women equally. As a Bengali Muslim Immigrant in Canada, I feel it is enormously important for our students to know how women have made invaluable contributions to American History without getting proper recognition to this day. Join us on September 20 and be part of this critical conversation.
Sep 19, 2021
HOW DO FILMS AND TELEVISION SHAPE OUR PERCEPTION?
We could not finish our conversation with Shampa Reza Apa, and she has kindly given us another opportunity to go to the second part of our conversation on September 17. Learning from Shampa Apa's wisdom and intimate understanding of our psyche is a sheer privilege. We will discuss the politics of storytelling on August 17 at 9 PM Bangladesh time. Stories we watch, stories we tell ourselves, and stories that are told about us deeply shape our sense of self. Hence, we must examine the politics of storytelling. A 2017 study at the University of Southern California analyzed 1000 movies and found that females are not central to the plot. Only one woman has ever won an Oscar for best director (Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker in 2009). Is it different in Bangladeshi films and television? What about other marginalized groups like the Pahari indigenous peoples, Bangladeshi Dalit Communities, Transgender Communities, Sex Workers, or Refugees. And when they are represented, how closely do we portray their social realities? These are difficult questions without a shadow of a doubt. But, if these questions remain unaddressed, we will continue telling stories without fair and just representation of all the members of our society in Bangladesh.
Sep 13, 2021
CONVERSATION WITH BANGLADESHI CANADIANS RUNNING FOR NDP IN CANADA'S 2021 FEDERAL ELECTION
Join me in a conversation with two Bangladeshi Canadians— Faiz Kamal and Nameer Rahman — running for the New Democratic Party in the upcoming federal election of 2021 on September 13 morning in Bangladeshi time, which is going to September 12 evening in Canada. According to the 2020 Statistics Canada report, there are around 100,000 Bangladeshi origin Canadians living across Canada. We are proud to see more and more Bangladeshi Canadians are taking part in Canada's mainstream politics. I look forward to our upcoming conversation about Canada's 2021 Federal Election and educate ourselves about Canada's political landscape.
Sep 12, 2021
UNDERSTANDING/UNPACKING ELITISM IN BANGALDESH
My upcoming guest Professor Manosh Chowdhury is a prominent Bangladeshi polemicist who does not shy away from exposing the social realities that might be hidden to uncritical eyes. We will engage in a discussion about Bangladeshi elitism, and you are welcome to join us on September 12 at 9 PM Dhaka time. Defining elitism is a tricky business. I have been pondering about modern elites' ability to keep themselves hidden in plain sight that commands privileges but avoids claiming attention overtly. I am sure many of us notice the performative humility of the privileged class using carefully crafted language and a spartan appearance. The Bangladeshi elites from the past flaunted their wealth and privileges unapologetically, and many still do. But spotting the elites in simple T-shirts and jeans is much harder.