Bridging the gaps between gender and race
By Hannah Larking
News Editor
October 22, 2008
 There are still gaps between gender and race, and Uzma Shakir is coming to remind us of that.
Shakir is this year’s women’s studies distinguished visitor. She will be speaking at the Caboto Club on Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. – and she promises she’s never boring.
Shakir was born in Pakistan and raised by two conservative Muslim parents, and it’s partly her background that has prompted her to take interest in women’s issues.
The researcher and activist says that, among other things, she is particularly concerned with the impact that violence, inequality, immigration and racialization have on women and their level of choice in society – and she will be discussing how many of these issues relate to the various courses that students in women’s studies are enrolled in.
“Of course, being an immigrant, racialized woman myself, and working in the immigrant and refugee sector, I have had personal experiences that have given me some insight into some of these issues,” Shakir explained.
“I also come from a family that is highly politically involved and motivated. I grew up in a household where I was always supported in my quest to question conventional wisdom … even when I found myself challenging social norms,” she added.
Because of the support she had growing up, Shakir, who is now raising two children of her own, finds it difficult to understand the latest trend of Islamophobia. “I have no choice but to question this because it is contrary to my own experience,” Shakir said.
Shakir also said that she thinks it’s important for her son and daughter to understand what’s happening around them and to know how to respond to how they are treated in a manner that creates a better society.
At the event, Shakir will offer personal stories from an anti-racist perspective in the hope that students will be able to view the world from a different angle.
“Students will hopefully appreciate the fact that my lectures are completely based on my own experiences ... Furthermore, I can be very funny and irreverent – my lectures are usually in your face and never boring,” Shakir insisted.
Shakir will also be suggesting ways in which students can recognize how factors such as gender and class can shape women’s lives.
“What students can do is to begin to understand that they themselves are gendered, which shapes their access to power in society; that they have a class perspective and materiality that defines their chances in life [in terms of] whether they will succeed or [to what extent],” said Shakir.
Each student belongs to a race that is either privileging or not, and that race creates a marginality, Shakir said. Students need to understand that their worldview is influenced by their religion, which also determines other structures in society, such as laws, institutional values, and access to services.
Shakir asserts that she is not a counsellor, and therefore, it is not her job to give advice. Rather, she organizes and mobilizes women and men dealing with issues of equity, justice and progressive change.
Shakir expressed great enthusiasm about her visit to Windsor, saying that being able to speak to an audience consisting of members of both the university and the rest of the community is always a great opportunity.
“I have long been an advocate for such collaborations because I think both academics and community can benefit from such a relationship … The fact that my stay at Windsor will involve both an academic and community event is very exciting,” Shakir said.
Tickets for the event are $60 and can be purchased online at www.uwindsor.ca/wsvisitor.
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