One of my passions

I thought since this is my forum for discussing social justice, I would provide a link to my work addressing homelessness this year.

https://www.portfolio.du.edu/pc/port2?page=8&uid=18605

Tunnel of Oppression

I'm so behind in things I want to talk about!  ACK!  But anyway, Tunnel of Oppression was last Friday, and even though it pretty much felt like preaching to the choir, I really think some people's ideas and beliefs were challenged.  ASA performed our "The Movement" skit which we performed at eXpressions (something I just realized I never posted about, I fail).  

I guess I should explain the format a bit.  I think five skits were presented during the Tunnel, and after each was a debrief led by someone from the Center for Multicultural Excellence.

ASA's skit demonstrates what Asians have faced in America, who we are, and what we are going to do with the future, stressing that there is much individuality and difference under the broad umbrellas of "Asian" and "Asian American."  Afterward, Jesus from CME led the debrief.  He had all of ASA line up in front of the stage facing the audience.  He explained the concept of model minority, and he challenged the audience to explain why it is a harmful generalization.

The audience came back with a lot of responses on how it hurt other minorities, but it took some of ASA, including me, to really get them thinking about how it also negatively affects the very people it describes.  I think a lot of people's eyes were opened that day.

Kudos to the other groups who performed thought-provoking skits as well.

When choice becomes oppression, and how today I was empowered

I haven't posted anything in awhile, I'm sorry, there's so much that I want to talk about.  But today, or yesterday really, I shared my digital story I've been working on for the past 9 weeks.  I'm not sure it really needs an explanation, but basically it is the story of the evolution of my cultural identity.

Things to think about:  Sometimes, when people ask us to choose, they are oppressing us.  By sharing this, we re-empower ourselves.  Sharing my story today with my classmates, fellow Social Justice Community members, my instructors, and other important SJ and CME staff in my life made me feel better.  It was almost easy to create my story, and almost hard to share it. 

Thanks to the process, I am much more confident within my own skin, my own identity.  I am confident that someday, sharing a story like mine will no longer be necessary, because everyone will understand and accept people who share my struggle.