Dr. Sabrina D. MisirHiralall is an editor at the Blog of the APA who currently teaches philosophy, religion, and education courses solely online for Montclair State University, Three Rivers Community College, the University of South Carolina Aiken, and St. John’s University. She is a Kuchipudi Indian classical Hindu dancer who frequently presents and dances in higher education as she confronts Orientalism through a variety of pedagogical spaces. Aside from several journal publications, she published Confronting Orientalism: A Self-Study of Educating Through Hindu Dance, and also served as the lead editor for Religious Studies Scholars as Public Intellectuals, which is published in the Routledge in Religion Series.
What is your favorite thing that you’ve written?
Aside from the publication of my first book, I deeply enjoyed writing (Un)Dressing to Unveil a Spiritual Self, which is published in the Journal of Aesthetic Education. As I dressed each evening for a sit down dinner followed by entertainment when I went on a cruise to the Bahamas, I thought deeply about how I maintain fidelity to my identity as a faith-based American Hindu of Eastern descent as a Western woman. Even when on a cruise vacation, I can’t stop myself from philosophizing nor can I ever ignore my identity as a faith-based Hindu. I am always excited to think about my scholarly identity, which is not divorced from my day-to-day life.
What are you most proud of in your professional life?
My parents migrated to the United States of America for educational opportunities. My parents are from Guyana, South America, and my great grandparents are from the northern part of India. They were taken as indentured laborers to work on British plantations in Guyana. Unfortunately, my father passed away when I was a young girl. He did not have the chance to pursue his dream of obtaining a doctorate degree. Thankfully, I pursued my doctorate degree and kept my father’s name as a sign of humility that gives thanks to my father for inspiring my scholarship. I remember walking down the aisle during my doctoral graduation listening to the celebratory graduation musical march. I was the first person in one of the two seemingly endless lines of graduates. As I walked, I felt my father’s soul shine from the heavens and bless me with a heart full of love. In my hands, I held a small Shri Ganesha murti to represent that I only have my degree because of the Supreme Being who blesses me. I would say that was the proudest moment of my professional life. In addition, I dedicated my first book, Confronting Orientalism: A Self-Study of Educating Through Hindu Dance to my father as I honor him in my professional and personal life.
What are you working on right now?
I am working on an article about how to employ Kuchipudi Indian classical Hindu dance for ethical discourse. Essentially, Kuchipudi dances are often based on Hindu history, which serves as a stimulus for philosophical inquiry. Several ethical questions arise throughout the scenes within the dances. I propose that educators engage in dialogical inquiry to discuss ethical dilemmas that surface throughout the dance with their students. In my abovementioned text, I share how I apply this method in the pedagogical space of the classroom when invited to present and dance for undergraduate classes. However, the article moves more into depth with how educators could use Kuchipudi dance for ethical discourse.
My YouTube channel shares my dances with the public sphere. I hope that educators will consider using my YouTube channel as a part of their classes when they teach courses about postcolonial philosophy or Hinduism, especially in World Religions. I welcome educators to reach out to me if they are interested in discussing any of the videos and how they may use them for specific courses.
Which books have changed your life? In what ways?
Orientalism by Edward Said definitely changed my life because it prompted me to think about my Eastern and Western identities that are not divorced from one another. I learned about how the West often misrepresents the East through misconceptions that develop based on an imagined notion of the East. I must confront Orientalism frequently as a Kuchipudi Indian classical Hindu dancer and also as a Western woman of Eastern descent. This text changed my life because it explained the problem that I sensed all my life and provided a way to help me confront this problem of exoticism. It also inspires me to embrace my Eastern and Western identities that inevitably blend together.
What would your childhood self say if someone told you that you would grow up to be a philosopher?
My childhood self would probably respond by asking, “But why? Why? Why?” I was the little girl who constantly asked, “Why?” Thus, it should be no surprise that I would grow up to constantly question as a philosopher.
What’s your poison? (Favorite drink.)
I love pumpkin spice lattes, especially in the Fall when the leaves are starting to change colors and fall off the trees. Though, I enjoy pumpkin spice lattes at any time during the year. There is just something so comforting about this beverage.
Can you tell us about your role at the Blog and what you enjoy most about it?
I serve as an Editor for the Blog of the American Philosophical Association. As a part of my role, I manage the Teaching beat along with the Work/Life Balance beat. I especially enjoy the opportunity to collaborate with scholars who share creative pieces that help educators improve pedagogy. As a self-study researcher, I am an advocate for improvement-aimed pedagogy that consistently reflects on teaching practices.
What’s your top tip or advice for APA members reading this?
I had to learn to embrace self-love and self-care despite obstacles throughout my personal and professional life. It is not selfish to love yourself or to be proud of your accomplishments. A healthy sense of self-love is the moderation between self-loathing and excessive narcissism. My dear friend Hank Fandel once told me that I am a star and I should not stop myself from shining. It took me years to learn that. My top tip advice for APA Members is to embrace who you are, love yourself, and be proud of your accomplishments. It is not egotistical to be proud of yourself. In fact, it shows self-respect. Let yourself shine!
This section of the APA Blog is designed to get to know our fellow philosophers a little better. We’re including profiles of APA members that spotlight what captures their interest not only inside the office, but also outside of it. We’d love for you to be a part of it, so please contact us via the interview nomination form here to nominate yourself or a friend.
Skye C. Cleary PhD MBA is a philosopher and author of How to Be Authentic: Simone de Beauvoir and the Quest for Fulfillment (2022), Existentialism and Romantic Love (2015) and co-editor of How to Live a Good Life (2020). She was a MacDowell Fellow (2021), awarded the 2021 Stanford Calderwood Fellowship, and won a New Philosopher magazine Writers’ Award (2017). She teaches at Columbia University and the City College of New York and is former Editor-in-Chief of the APA Blog.
