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Taara (meaning: Star) aims to provide a dynamic platform that empowers and elevates the voices of South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African women, femme, and gender non-conforming students at MIT. Through advocacy, activism, and action, we are committed to challenging systemic barriers that hinder our access to opportunity, representation, and well-being. Taara has three areas of focus:
Cultural intersectionality: By exploring the intersections of religion, culture, nationality, and gender in SAMENA communities through student discussions and workshops, we mitigate the challenges posed by stereotypes while celebrating the richness of our diverse backgrounds.
Global relationships: We foster a deeper understanding of international relationships between South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African countries and members of their diasporas. We also analyze the legacy of colonialism in South Asia, specifically how it influenced—and continues to influence—the collective identity and self-perception of South Asian and Arab women and gender minorities.
Gender dynamics. By collaborating with and fundraising for a local nonprofit that supports South Asian and Arab survivors of domestic violence, called Saheli, we work to unpack gender dynamics present in the SAMENA community. Additionally, we work closely with MIT’s Women and Gender Services to destigmatize conversations surrounding sexual health.
Amidst an enduring climate of racism, sexism, ethnonationalism, and modern-day colonialism across South Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, we recognize the urgency of our mission to foster solidarity among historically marginalized groups in South Asian and Arab communities.
