Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Benefit for Domestic Violence at UPenn, Thurs, March 31, 7pm

Hi everyone,

Catzie and I are performing at the University of Pennsylvania this Thurs, March 31st.  The event aims to raise money and awareness about domestic violence.

Location: Rodin College House, 3901 Locust Walk
Time: 7-9pm

Hope to see you.

Love,
Michelle 

Monday, March 14, 2011

Michelle's Book Release Party at Family Style, Fri, March 18, 7:30pm

Family Style
Open Mic Series
Third Fridays of the month:
Friday, March 18, 2011 @ 7:30 p.m.
(Doors open at 7 p.m.)

Hosted by YELLOW RAGE (Michelle Myers and Catzie Vilayphonh), our popular monthly Asian American open mic FAMILY STYLE welcomes extended "family" from all communities and cultures.

*     *     *     *     *

Family Style 2011!

Featuring co-host Michelle Myers and the Launch of her new chapbook, 'She Book, Volume 1'
 
10 Guest Artists

$5-10 Sliding Scale Admission

*If you bring a group of 5 or more people, one person gets in FREE!*
Friday, March 18, 7:30 pm

All proceeds from 'She Book, Volume 1' will be dedicated to supporting efforts to stop human trafficking, and an arts empowerment project that Michelle and her friend and fellow artist Kao Kue are planning with orphans who have survived the earthquake in Haiti.

If you have a piece you want to share, come at least 30 minutes before showtime, or sign up here!

The UCLA Mess

As most of you may have already seen this video gone viral overnight, I am only posting here to talk about the actions of the reactions. Yes, I could go on and on about the stereotypes spewing out of her mouth (and that's only in the first 2 minutes, as I was so disgusted to watch it until the end), how she keeps contradicting herself saying she's not a racist nor is it meant towards any of her Asian friends, or how this girl's vision of the world is so skewed she doesn't realized that she needs to check her sensitivity about Tsunami victims now that it's Japan's that's hurting. I can certainly go into the history of racism towards Asian Americans,  and I can certainly cite examples of current swipes at our community done through mainstream media, but I'm not going to. Why? Because for one, I dont need to, or I don't think I need to. I'd like to safely assume that any readers of the Yellow Rage blog are intelligent enough to have that knowledge already and are socially aware of those kinds of things to not need to warrant an academic lecture out of me, especially not on my blog. What I'm more concerned about is the reaction of viewers.

I first learned about this last night (Sunday) through a tweet from Disgrasian, and later retweeted putting my own two cents in. Like most people, I was angry at the entitlement this girl felt she had, but also that she felt her opinions were going to be backed by everyone who saw her video. I figured the internet would have their fun with her, and she would get what she deserves in the end. When I woke up this morning and saw yet more of my Facebook friends posting and reposting, and that the Youtube channels hosting her video had been bombarded witheven more racist and sexist comments, not to mention that some people started posting her address and phone number, my anger started to shift towards the reactions of the viewers. Don't get me wrong, I still feel a seething rage that makes me glad I do not live anywhere near the UCLA area, but how are we supposed to vilify this girl and make her own responsibilities to her actions when some of the things done in retaliation are equally unjustifiable, or, in the case of posting her personal info, a lot worse? People are going to keep sharing, emailing, reposting, retweeting, and posting comments, but what does that do besides making this girl another popular internet sensation? What about writing to the Dean of UCLA (which you can do here at chancellor@ucla.edu), or how about having a thorough discussion in your social studies or media class? Simply clicking and sharing is not enough. Neither is posting foul comments about her physique or race -- sure it may make you feel better but you know that girl isn't going to read it, so who are you putting the show on for? If you don't care who sees it, or the consequences that may follow then are you any better than she is? She thought she was exercising her freedom of speech, what are you going to do with yours? It's like we seem to have forgotten that the first principle of making change happen is to be the change we wish to see. That girl could've easily asked whomever it was to be quiet, or ask the Librarian to do it. That girl could've had a convo in private with her Asian friends and they could've easily checked her before she went public with her rant. Now we have this UCLA mess.

I'm posting this video here with the simple request that if you feel something, say something, but please do so in way that is constructive and not directed at anyone or anything in particular, but at change itself.

--Catzie

Labels: ,

Friday, March 11, 2011

Michelle's Book Release Party at Family Style, Fri, March 18, 7:30pm

Support independent publishing: Buy this book on Lulu. 
Hi everyone,

Please come celebrate the release of my solo poetry book: THE SHE BOOK, VOLUME 1.  It will take place during this month's Family Style at the Asian Arts Initiative--here are the event details:

Family Style Open Mic Series
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St, Philly
Doors open at 7pm
Show starts at 7:30pm
$5-$10 Sliding Scale Admission

I will be performing poems from the book.  There will be guest artists.  I'm selling the book for $20, and all of the profits from the book will be evenly divided between 2 different causes/orgs: 1) Odanadi, an anti-trafficking organization, http://odanadi-us.org/ and 2) a project called Write the World which I have started with my friend Kao Kue.  We are currently raising money to visit Haiti this summer and facilitate art wksps with children in an orphanage in Port-au-Prince.  We eventually want to start a pen pal program between the children in Haiti and children in Cambodia.   



The book can be purchased at Family Style next week and can also be purchased at Lulu--click on tab above or on the "Projects" page.

I feel grateful and blessed about this book for many reasons--not just b/c it's my first "real" solo poetry book or b/c I've created new poems which exemplify my growth as an artist over the past several years.  I feel blessed b/c I'm in a position to use my art to do some good in the world--to do it in a way where I feel like I'm actively contributing to a process of transformation, community-building, and hope.

I don't want to inundate you with a long post.  If you would like more information about the project, you can read about it on this Yellow Rage website by clicking the "Projects" tab at the top of the home page.  Also, feel free to email me and ask me any questions you may have about the book and the causes/orgs I am supporting: michelle@yellowrage.com

Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Love,
Michelle

PS--I will have the official announcement from AAI up soon.

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

Join the Fight Against Human Trafficking, Odanadi Fundraiser, Thurs, March 10, 7pm

 
 

Hi everyone,

I am writing to invite you to be a part of an inspirational
evening on:

*Thursday,March 10 at 6:30 p.m. 
George Washington University's Grand Ball Room
  
I am supporting and partnering with an anti-trafficking
organization called Odanadi.  Half of the profits from
my new poetry book will go to support this organization. 

anti-trafficking and women's/children's NGO which
has been based in South India since 2009. Odanadi works
daily, with all it has, to eradicate the issue of trafficking
innocent women and children. The organization works to
RESCUE, REHABILITATE, EMPOWER and
REINTEGRATE survivors. 

Please see details below.
Love,
Michelle

Odanadi US’ First DC Fundraiser, March 10!

8 Feb
 
Odanadi US will host its first DC fundraiser Thursday, March 10, 6:30 p.m., at the George Washington University Grand Ballroom (Marvin Center).

Join us for an evening of testimony, empowerment and inspiration as we learn more about global and local efforts to end human trafficking. 

Odanadi US was established to provide financial support to Odanadi Seva Trust, a non-profit located in India that rescues and rehabilitates victims of human trafficking; and to raise awareness and sensitivity to the issues of human trafficking and bonded labor.

The reception begins at 6:30 p.m., with appetizers and beverages served. Come mingle with fellow activists, organizers and leaders before the program begins at 7 p.m.

Purchase tickets online or email us to reserve or arrange for in-person tickets. Tickets will be sold at the door but at an increased price.

Event details are as follows:

STOP TRAFFICKING, fundraiser to benefit survivors of human trafficking

Thursday, March 10, 6:30 p.m.
George Washington University
Marvin Center – Grand Ballroom
800 21st Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20052

Special Performers:
Michelle Myers from Yellow Rage
Jenny Lares from SULU DC
Sarah Kim, singer/songwriter

Tickets:
$30 for general admission, $35 at the door
$15 for students with ID, $20 at the door

*For in-person tickets before the show, please email info@odanadi-us.org.
**Tickets will be sold at the door for an increased price.

We hope to see you there and are grateful for your generosity.
Thank you for joining the fight against human trafficking!