3/22/12 Speaking out: Dr. Sein Win, Angie Ipong, and Leila Khan

Contributor Xonzoi Barbora brings us an interview with Dr. Sein Win, Chairman of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma when Win was in town earlier this month. In their conversation, Win talks about what current progress and struggles have been going on in Mynanmar, otherwise known as Burma.

Irrawady News Media: www.irrawaddy.org (Irrawady News Media is based in Chiang Mai and its multi-media website is updated regularly)

Mizzima News: www.mizzima.com (Mizzima News is run by exiled activists from Burma and is updated occasionally)

Karen Human Rights Group: www.khrg.org (a website devoted to documenting human rights violations against ethnic Karens and is updated occasionally)

Chin Human Rights Organisation: www.chro.ca (a website devoted to documenting human rights violations against ethnic Chins and updated occasionally)

Euro-Burma Office: www.euro-burma.eu (the website of the Brussels-based Euro Burma office that has useful links to events, publications and other documents related to Burma and its ethnic nationalities)

(Photo by Apollo Victoria)

Contributors R.J. Lozada, Ellen Choy, and guest contributor Armael Malinis sit down at the breakfast table with Angie Ipong where she shares her experiences as a political prisoner in the Philippines. Ipong was arrested at the age of 60 and held for six years. One of the ways she survived behind bars was starting an organic farm on a small plot of land within the prison. Now freed, she tours the United States exposing human rights violations in the Philippines.

Guest contributor Tara Dorabji brings us an interview with writer Leila Khan, whose story, “Rerouted,” is part of a recently released anthology titled, Love, InshAllah: The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women. This ground-breaking book brings a collection of stories exploring all of the facets and intersections of love, all by American Muslim Women, a voice not typically represented in texts about this emotion.

Community Calendar

On Friday, March 30, at 6:30pm, a Jeju Island Symposium is taking place at the Redwood Gardens located at 2951 Derby Street in Berkeley. The event will cover the recent controversial building of a U.S. Naval Base in the small island off of South Korea. Special guest Ann Wright will report from her recent visit to the island.  The event is free, and please bring a dish to share.

Manilatown Heritage Foundation brings legendary DJ Qbert for a benefit supporting MHF programming, to the Manilatown Heritage Center/International Hotel (868 Kearny Street, San Francisco) on March 31, 6PM to talk about DJ culture, Skratch history, provide a demonstration. Get tickets online for $15, (www.brownpapertickets.com/event/235243) or to avoid fees visit the Manilatown Heritage Foundation Center Tuesday to Saturday from 1 to 6PM. $20 at the door on March 31. Get your tickets now, as they expect the event to sell out.

The South Asian Sisters are back to present, Yoni Ki Baat 8. The event boasts of raw, funny, touching tales told by South Asian women from across the country. The two nights of the event are Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1 at The Women’s Building in San Francisco located at 3543 18th Street, #8 between Valencia and Guerrero.