According to one of South Asian Affinity’s student leaders, Sujan Munver ’23, “affinity spaces are a fundamental item to create a sense of belonging”. Not only is the group a space for students who share a specific identity, but it is also a “safe environment” that “allows members to gain insight on how to most effectively share their experiences with the greater community and educate a broader group to foster a greater understanding of that identity”. Throughout the year, South Asian Affinity has been striving to build this safe space for students, as well as spread culture with the rest of the D-E community. This past year, South Asian Affinity hosted a color powder throwing celebration for Holi. This celebration was a proud moment for the affinity group, following a “multi-year hiatus from celebrating Holi at Dwight-Englewood”.
South Asian Affinity also hopes to continue commemorating Holi within the D-E community in the years to come. The club holds weekly meetings where members are given the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas on [a] topic to discuss. When planning events for the school, they ensure that members’ thoughts and perspectives are always incorporated in designing and organizing such events.
A graduating senior, Sujan expressed his and his fellow leaders’ hopes that the South Asian Affinity Club will grow after he leaves D-E: “expanding awareness of South Asian culture and identity has been at the core of our ambitions as an organization. As the current leaders graduate and a new wave of leaders and ideas sweep over the club, we aim to continue to pursue this objective”.
