Queer/Asian/America: A Personal, Yet Critical, Approach
Ryka Aoki (Keynote Speaker) and Rich Yap
We will draw upon and articulate existing narratives of racism, sexism, and misrepresentation, then employ them in order to better perceive the experiences of queer Asian Americans and the particular difficulties they have in balancing their love for family, culture, and self.
We will draw upon and articulate existing narratives of racism, sexism, and misrepresentation, then employ them in order to better perceive the experiences of queer Asian Americans and the particular difficulties they have in balancing their love for family, culture, and self.
GESTURES OF SOLIDARITY
Alejandro Muro, CSU Long Beach Graduate Student
Khaalidah Sidney, UC Irvine
Recently there has been conversations around gestures of solidarity given the mass killings of black people in and outside the country. However, we must investigate and deploy an analysis on the idea of solidarity in reference to these acts of structural violence and how it labors in our society given the fact that non-black peoples livelihood is constructed and dependent upon the death of black people. Black death is essential to non-black life so how can we then begin to fathom the very idea of solidarity with this in mind?
Khaalidah Sidney, UC Irvine
Recently there has been conversations around gestures of solidarity given the mass killings of black people in and outside the country. However, we must investigate and deploy an analysis on the idea of solidarity in reference to these acts of structural violence and how it labors in our society given the fact that non-black peoples livelihood is constructed and dependent upon the death of black people. Black death is essential to non-black life so how can we then begin to fathom the very idea of solidarity with this in mind?
BREAKING DOWN THE WALLS OF PERFECTIONISM AND FINDING MY SELF-WORTH
Emily Wu Truong, Community Activist for Mental Health Awareness, California Mental Health Movement, Each Mind Matters
UC Irvine Alumni, Class of 2003, Psychology and Social Behavior & Minor in Education
The subject of mental health is like the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about, and that is how it seems in the San Gabriel Valley Asian American community. Many individuals choose not to seek help in fear of becoming marginalized and shunned by friends and family. Many choose to suffer in silence because they were taught to “save face” over “airing their dirty laundry” to anyone, or else they would bring shame to themselves and the family. On the contrary, many people know me as a strong advocate for mental health awareness because I choose to not remain silent about mental health issues on a societal and personal matter. In July 2013, I stated at a legislative briefing on Asian American Mental Health, “I will not end my life because I have a story to share. The more we talk about mental health, the more we will alleviate the stigma. There is no shame. There is no shame.” Ever since that day, I have been sharing my personal story of finding hope in my recovery.
UC Irvine Alumni, Class of 2003, Psychology and Social Behavior & Minor in Education
The subject of mental health is like the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about, and that is how it seems in the San Gabriel Valley Asian American community. Many individuals choose not to seek help in fear of becoming marginalized and shunned by friends and family. Many choose to suffer in silence because they were taught to “save face” over “airing their dirty laundry” to anyone, or else they would bring shame to themselves and the family. On the contrary, many people know me as a strong advocate for mental health awareness because I choose to not remain silent about mental health issues on a societal and personal matter. In July 2013, I stated at a legislative briefing on Asian American Mental Health, “I will not end my life because I have a story to share. The more we talk about mental health, the more we will alleviate the stigma. There is no shame. There is no shame.” Ever since that day, I have been sharing my personal story of finding hope in my recovery.
What Next? How Social Justice Advocacy and Campus Organizing Skills Help in the Real World
Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP)
This roundtable discussion will give participants an opportunity to speak with working professionals who were active on their campuses as students and/or who finished their degree in Asian American studies. Whether working in nonprofit, government, or higher education, they will discuss how student activism has helped them in their careers.
This roundtable discussion will give participants an opportunity to speak with working professionals who were active on their campuses as students and/or who finished their degree in Asian American studies. Whether working in nonprofit, government, or higher education, they will discuss how student activism has helped them in their careers.