Best-selling author to speak at Cal U
CALIFORNIA – Irshad Manji, a best-selling author, television personality and producer, will address the students, faculty and friends of California Universit of Pennsylvania at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, in Steele Auditorium. There is no admission charge.
She has been described as “the media savvy voice for a new generation,” a “feminist for the 21st century” and “a leader for tomorrow.”
Her speech, “Taking Opportunity from Oppression,” combines personal stories with political philosophy to educate the audience on different and daring ways to be unique.
Manji, who has discovered new beginnings through the prejudices she has faced, touched and altered the viewpoints of the world’s youth with her first book, “Risking Utopia: On the Edge of a New Democracy.”
Published in 1997, “Risking Utopia,” according to Manji, “is all about how young people are putting the hip beck into citizenship.”
From Toronto, where Manji resides, to places as far away as Hong King, “Risking Utopia” has taught younger generations how to discover their own individuality while building and maintaining community.
Manji’s own journey has been complicated, but rewarding. She excelled at the University of British Columbia, where she became the first humanities student to be awarded the Governor General’s Gold Medal for top graduate.
Most recently, she is working on her second book, which is titled “An Open Letter to Muslims Worldwide.” Before beginning this book – a response to why the world must work together to reform Islam – she worked to develop VERB, her own television station intended to engage youth as global citizens.
The issues covered in “An Open Letter,” according to Manji, were important enough for her to switch professional plans; but, in the future, she will continue work with VERB. In addition to Manji’s educational, media and literary accomplishments, she also leads gay and lesbian pride parades in Toronto, guides Islamic reform initiatives and Jewish discussions, and promotes leadership education for youth.
Described as passionate, fresh and open, Manji’s lectures always have a strong impact on her audiences.
“The place couldn’t stop buzzing,” said the Canadian Cosmetics and Fragrance Association. A New York area school board said, “Your message, your delivery and your passion made them think.” At California University, Manji’s lecture will appropriately focus on the themes of integrity, civility and responsibility. She says that these, the university’s core values, “are necessary traits to possess while leading rewarding and meaningful lives.”
Following the multi-media presentation, Manji, who is a strong believer in interactivity, will host a reception in which she will further discuss the obstacles she has overcome as a gay and lesbian advocate, the ideas and themes of her two books and “the utopia of complexity.” Also, she will answer questions and work to promote dialogue between audience members and herself.