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SCSU celebrates Pakistani night, culture
Around 400 people gathered in Atwood Ballroom Saturday night to experience and learn about Pakistani culture.
Darlene Gregga, director of the Center for International Studies, warmly welcomed the audience.
"It's nice to sit here with you at dinner, rather than having you in my office," Gregga said as she addressed the members of Pakistani Student Association.
"More Americans are now aware of where Pakistan is," she added.
Her statement described a situation that is both fortunate and unfortunate at the same time. While it is fortunate that Americans have become more geographically knowledgeable, it is unfortunate that the familiarity most Americans have with the country results primarily from negative images they have received from media since September 11, as the neighboring country to Afghanistan and most recently about the alleged kidnapping of the American journalist from the Wall Street Journal.
Fortunately throughout the evening Americans in the audience had the chance to acknowledge the human face and simplicity of the culture in traditional, modern and humorous ways. Under the theme, Basant, or Festival of Kites, PSA showed an assortment of dances and skits, along with a traditional fashion show and a homemade video.
The skit, which showed a student trying the Pakistan Embassy with a question, put a fun spin on the seemingly universal frustrations of touchstone systems. By the time the student was led through a series of mini-messages and pushed several numbers in an attempt to find the correct department, the embassy was closed.
Later on, the club surprised the audience with a home production of "Totally Mission Impossible." The movie shows a Pakistani young man who is determined to spend time with his girlfriend, despite the wishes of his girlfriend's father.
In the spirit of the theme of the night and in a desire to make a social contribution to their home country, the members of the organization spent some time informing the audience about the reality of their country and empowering them to do something about it. Coming from a country where only 40 percent of the population is literate, combating illiteracy is an issue dear to the hearts of many students. Thus, the PSA students auctioned off two kites to members of the audience to raise money to donate to a non-profit organization working towards literacy and education access, selling one for $28 and one for $40.
First time attendee Erin Schroeder from Minneapolis was impressed with this.
"I didn't realize how many children were illiterate or unable to attend school in Pakistan," Schroeder said. "This was a creative way to promote the cause."
For Schroeder, who works in Hennepin County Multi-Cultural services, as an Americorps Vista, her first cultural event at SCSU was rewarding in more ways than one. Since Schroeder works with people from throughout the world who migrate to Minnesota and has a Pakistani co-worker, she was able to both learn more about her co-worker's roots and increase her own knowledge base.
"It's good to be exposed to the world and attend events like Pakistan night," Schroeder said.
Working as an advocate for immigrants and refugees on a daily basis, made the experience extra valuable for Schroeder.
"It's great to have people from so many cultures working and studying together so we can learn from each other."
What exactly did she learn?
"I learned that there are four regions in Pakistan and about the structure of the capital city, and I also really enjoyed being able to see the traditional clothing of the country," Schroeder said.
Schroeder would definitely return to SCSU for another cultural event, as Pakistan Night surpassed her expectations.
"I didn't know what to expect, but I was impressed with how they used multiple mediums to portray Pakistani culture," Schroeder said.
For photos of Pakistani Night check out the Diversions section.
Sharon K. Sobotta can be reached at: [email protected]
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