American Lens into Vietnam: Artistic or Voyeuristic?

A quick post to share this recent New York Times article and slide show on the risks Vietnam faces from rising sea levels…

The photos in the slideshow disturb me and strike me as voyeuristic. From the creative point of view, these are some gorgeous photos. From more of a critical cultural studies perspective, the slideshow embodies America’s mystification and romanticization of a former “enemy.” No one’s face is shown clearly. Some figures are hunched or look tense and fearful. The figures physically and emotionally recall the American War in VN, particularly slides number 1 and number 3 where male bodies are distraught, splayed apart. The women make me think of departure and disapora: the woman with an umbrella taking in a last glimpse, the woman walking away from the dog, the woman paddling with her back turned from us. And why would a journalistic photographer capture a veiled view of water? Of all the articles for which slides could have been included-- why the Vietnam article? Too beautiful to pass up? Or too easy to romanticize? Thoughts?

Misplaced Nativism?

I was helping translate at a financial aid workshop today for an organization I was a part of in high school. We were wrapping up a short informal discussion with parents: quelling their fears about sending their high school seniors away to college, reiterating that there is money for them (these are all low-income families), and reassuring them that the organization would be there to support families in the financial aid process.

After the Cantonese alumna and I translated information, a mother said half-jokingly but firmly, "Ok, English now!" Yet Victoria and I had only clumsily translated what had already been said in English, which was much more detailed than our explanations. A few minutes later, another mother angrily shushed a pair of Vietnamese parents whispering about something, possibly financial aid. It strikes me that both were black mothers and there was a sentiment of dislike in their actions. These moments may have passed in the eyes of others, but- as someone concerned about the state of black - Asian political relations-- I wonder, was there dislike or even distrust coming from either of these parents?

It frustrates me that these families share similar backgrounds yet there is push-back against non-English speakers. Is this at all connected to the English-Only movement and the gradual decline of bilingual education? It is tough to appreciate English as an asset in America when one may have few others. Are language rights being used to further divide working class peoples and people of color? It wouldn't surprise me.

Will be back with longer posts soon (November?)

Street Art 2: Amandla Awetu in Oakland

Listen to his, revolution of syllables
Scoping lightning from his pores
Keeping time, with his hurricane beat
Asking us to pick ourselves up and become, THUNDER.
-Sonia Sanchez on Talib's "Everything Man"


Take 2- a moment to look at the murals surrounding one half of Oakland High School. These were all done by OHS students, led by teachers Jackie Marston and Keith Williams, known as K-Dubb. Williams has been spearheading the efforts to create a skate park in West Oakland's deFremery Park. Some of the murals below are works in progress but I'm proud to have them displayed. I remember being so happy when I drove by and saw K-Dubb setting up paints for students on a Saturday morning. I see the man around the community all the time, which is still powerful as an alum.




Amandla Awetu! Power to the People!




Aung San Suu Kyi, bold leader of Burma (Mayanmar).




It's too ironic that the line on the left reads: "The Youth must educate themselfs to elavate themselfs."





The continuous struggle...





is a Beautiful Struggle. I would argue the phrase is from Talib Kweli's alubm. Some of our heroes Chavez, X, Marley, Ms. Broussard (a VAAMP teacher), Ali, Guevara, Kahlo. Ms. Broussard was my art teacher. She painted high tops... and had cancer.