Name: Anjali NaikYear: Class of 2017 (sophomore)Major: Computing in the Arts, minor in Women’s in Gender StudiesHometown: Clinton, SC
Why did you choose CofC?“I chose CofC because it’s in state for me, but it’s unlike living anywhere else in South Carolina. I do enjoy the Carolina heat, and in-state tuition is helpful, not gonna to lie. I also felt like CofC was very connected to the rest of the Charleston community, which found to be true, and I heard the music scene was pretty good.”
How are you involved on campus?“Well, a huge part of my involvement is through the Bonner Leader Program- a 4-year committed volunteer group centered around sustained service and social justice. I started organizing with Girls Rock Charleston through the Bonner program. I’m also on a traditional Indian dance team called Chuck De Raas. I took Indian dance lessons and played “raas” when I was growing up, so it’s cool to see it recognized as a College club now, and we even compete with other teams nationally. Hm, I was in the Vagina Monologues… I hosted a CisternYard radio show last semester that rocked… I’ve dabbled in a handful of other organizations, mostly because I have a huge fear of missing out (FOMO).”
You work with the organization “Girls Rock” in Charleston; can you tell us about that?“Girls Rock Charleston is a local grassroots non-profit that empowers girls and trans youth through music education, DIY media, and creative collaboration. (Yes, that is our mission statement, and I know it by heart) We host a summer camp where we teach kids how to play rock instruments, we lead workshops (zine-making, self-defense, etc.), they write their own music in bands, and they perform at a local venue at the end of their week. We do a lot more beyond rock camp, and being an organizer has made my life so fulfilling.”
You also have a new music project called Diaspoura. Is there a meaning behind that name?“I used a random word generator… I’m joking. This project started out of a self-exploration process this past year, which included a lot of writing and researching on my identities. I’ve been reading a lot of Indian-American writers and have seen word “diaspora” frequently in texts. I like how specific the word is, and it comforts me in the way that it speaks specifically about the history of a group post-immigration, assuring that I’m part of a community with a growing history and movement. Now that I’ve said all that, I’ll leave the added ‘u’ up for interpretation.”
Do you have any upcoming shows?“Yes! This upcoming Monday, April 6 I’ll be performing on campus at the Sustainability Week and Greek Week Kickoff Concert in the Stern Gardens. It’ll be real cool… You should totally swing by. I’m also going perform for a Girls Rock fundraiser event on May 2, details will be on my Facebook music page probably closer to May.”
Who inspires you?“My local activist community inspires me all the time. Historic heroes like Septima P. Clark, and my Girls Rock organizers, and my mom and my sister.”
Favorite…Place to study?“Outside the library on those couches in the back on a warm day…Yes.”
Place to eat downtown?“Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream… Yesss.”
Song or musician?“I am obsessed with MIA. Her DIY, blunt, courageous persona gives me life.”