Dear friends,

I'll be taking the plunge at Santa Cruz this weekend for two Open Water swims totaling 1.5 miles. No wetsuit!

I'm motivated to go the distance by my colleague Min Zin, who completed his Masters in Asian Studies before enrolling in the PhD program in Political Science at Berkeley, where I teach. On June 3, 2026, Min Zin, a US Citizen, was detained in China, en route to an academic workshop.

Sunday August 16th will mark Min Zin’s 75th day in confinement, separated from his family and friends.

I like to think that he is drawing courage in captivity from his conversation with Nelson Mandela, pictured above: an image and story he shared with me and my students at Berkeley some years ago.

Scholars at Risk (SAR) is dedicated to protecting scholars, irrespective of their nationality or institutional affiliation, for exercising the right to think, to question, and to share ideas.

Academic freedom is under assault globally. So I figured I’d swim against the tide and show my support for Min Zin, and others like him, by taking to the waters this weekend as a fundraiser for SAR.

If you are moved by Min Zin’s story, please sponsor me,.

Every dollar you contribute will help further SAR's mission.

Every comment you share, will show Min Zin, and others like him, that you care.