U.S. SPEAKER DR. BRENDA FLANAGAN INSPIRES KUWAITI WOMEN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUWAIT 000334

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/PPD (DAVID BENZE),NEA/ARP (BJACKSON),NEA/PPD,
IIP/NEA/SCA (BANDLER),NEA/PI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SCUL KPAO KIRC OIIP XF KU
SUBJECT: U.S. SPEAKER DR. BRENDA FLANAGAN INSPIRES KUWAITI WOMEN
AND YOUTH

Summary
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1. Dr. Brenda Flanagan, American Afro-Caribbean author and
professor of literature at Davidson College, North Carolina,
conducted another well-received U.S. Speaker Program in Kuwait
from March 1-4, 2008. Capitalizing on her name recognition
following a successful visit to Kuwait in 2006, Post timed
her current program to mark International Women's Day
celebrations. The theme of her tour was "Women Activism
through Non-Political Means." Flanagan targeted her message
to conservative female students and youth from different
backgrounds and genders through youth-oriented organizations.
Her engaging personality and genuine interest in women and
youth earned her positive reviews and made her genuine
friendships among Kuwaitis. She inspired youth by talking
about art as a forum for advancing civil rights, women's
issues and equality and inclusion in general. She appeared
on a popular morning talk show on Al-Watan TV. End summary.


Focus on Youth Organizations
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2. The Embassy partnered with LoYac, Lothan Youth Achievement
Center to have Flanagan conduct a joint workshop for women and
youth on leadership skills. LoYac is a popular youth-oriented
organization that manages programs such as international
professional internships, creative workshops, and performing
arts and theatre training. At her LoYac program, Flanagan
talked about her experiences as a female writer and activist.
She answered questions about American elections and how she
became a writer herself. Flanagan met with faculty and students
and the Chairperson of the English Language Department from
Kuwait University, to expose Kuwaitis to American literature
classics and poetry including her own writings. She encouraged
Kuwait University students to look for quality education beyond
Kuwait University's walls and consider the U.S., as a destination
of choice for quality graduate and undergraduate education.


American Values and Education
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3. Flanagan addressed students at conservative Kuwait University
where she spoke of her personal and professional experiences as a
young female immigrant to the U.S. from Trinidad and how she
struggled to complete her education. She provided insights into
American society and values by engaging and exposing young
audiences to American history, the civil rights movement, and
women's political empowerment. She quoted from literary themes
and stories which highlighted cultural and ethnic diversity. She
skillfully promoted study in the U.S., which is a major Embassy
MSP goal. Her own struggle to educate herself "paid off," she
said, because "the American people respect those who worked hard
to achieve the 'American dream' regardless of where they came
from."


Promoting democracy and equality
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3. Many students at Kuwait University questioned Flanagan about
racial and religious equality and freedom in the U.S., especially
after the 9/11 events. Flanagan pointed out the diversity of the
U.S. presidential contenders such as the African-American Barack
Obama and Hillary Clinton, the first viable female contender.
"This is democracy in action, where women and African minorities
are being represented for the first time at the highest level,"
she said. Several students were skeptical and noted how they had
personally felt discriminated against as tourists in the U.S.
because of their darker skin and accents. Flanagan encouraged
them to experience the U.S. first-hand as students and not just
through short visits, television, cinema and music. Offering to
mentor them and help them through their literary studies and
cultural adjustment in the U.S., Flanagan exchanged email
addresses with several Kuwaiti students in an effort to maintain
a friendship.


Cultural Ambassador touches the hearts and minds of Kuwaiti
students
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4. Flanagan continued to make personal connections with Kuwaiti
youth when she participated in the University's National and
Liberation Day celebrations by joining students to learn and
perform the traditional Bedouin "Urda" dance, which uses swords
and tambourines. Students flocked around Flanagan, cheering her

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on and taking pictures. After the dance, a group of six female
students, clad from head-to-toe in their black abayas and with
their faces covered, began teaching Flanagan traditional Kuwaiti
female dances performed at weddings. This was done spontaneously
outdoors in a garden area of the university campus. Public
dancing is generally prohibited in Kuwait, and at one point
some passing male students reprimanded the girls, but they
continued dancing with Flanagan anyway. Afterward, Flanagan
commended them for their courage and spirit as the girls
escorted her to her car and waved as she departed the campus.


Positive Media and TV Coverage
--------------


5. Dr. Flanagan's program in Kuwait achieved positive media
coverage. She had a special television interview on the popular
youth "Al-Watan Television" entitled "Sabah Al-Watan," where
she performed some of her short stories and spoke of her
impressions of the Middle East. Her university appearance was
also reported in the Arabic-language dailies Al-Anbaa and
Al-Qabas.


Cost Sharing
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6. IIP used Post's I-Bucks allocation to fund Dr. Flanagan's
visit and co-shared travel expenses with Riyadh, her second
programming post.

Misenheimer