I am planning to attend- let me know if you are interested in going and we could meet up!- Priya
Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 7:30pm
Town Hall
1119 8th Avenue Seattle, WA (Map)
Tickets: $5- purchase at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producerevent/119609?prod_id=1200
“Terry McMillan has such a wonderful ear for story and dialogue. She gives us four women with raw, honest emotion that breathes off the page.”
– Amy Tan
Terry McMillan’s Waiting to Exhale was more than just a bestselling novel-its publication was a watershed moment in literary history. Now, McMillan revisits Savannah, Gloria, Bernadine, and Robin fifteen years later. They’ve exhaled: now they are learning to breathe.
Co-sponsored by Elliott Bay Book Company.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Call for Papers- Race, Radicalism, and Repression on the Pacific Coast and Beyond
Posted by Mandy
A Major Conference at the University of Washington, Seattle
Race, Radicalism, and Repression on the Pacific Coast and Beyond
A Major Conference at the University of Washington, Seattle
May 12-14, 2011
Call for Proposals
From the Industrial Workers of the World and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to the Black Panthers and the Third World Liberation Front strikes, radical movements embracing and demanding racial justice have figured prominently in the history of the “left coast” of the United States. They have also generated violent responses, including state repression, that reverberated across the United States and around the world.
The Center for the Study of the Pacific Northwest and the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies at the University of Washington invite panel and paper proposals on any aspect of race, radicalism, and repression within or somehow related to the Pacific Coast of North America, including linkages to peoples, ideas, and movements across the oceans and continents. We are especially interested in proposals that seek to reorient the study of race and politics in U.S. and world history.
In addition to the conference, the University of Washington Press will publish a collection of essays selected and revised from the conference presentations. George Lipsitz of the University of California, Santa Barbara, will deliver the keynote address.
All proposals must include a title and an abstract of each presentation (no more than 300 words) and a brief CV of each presenter (no more than two pages). Panel proposals must also include a title and a description of the session (no more than 250 words). Please submit all materials as email attachments (Microsoft Word or pdf) to cspn@uw.edu by September 30, 2010.
More info at UW website.Sunday, August 22, 2010
8th Annual Seattle Race Conference
Posted by Mandy
8th Annual Seattle Race Conference
Racism and Health Inequities: Eliminating Barriers and Healing Our Communities
Saturday, August 28th, 2010 8:00am-4:30pm South Seattle Community College Brockey Conference Center 6000 16th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98106 Driving and bus directions can be found at: |
| Special Accommodation: To request an accommodation for a disability or language interpretation for yourself or for clients please call (206) 684-4514 by August 13th. | |
Six clock hours will be available through Seattle Public Schools ($2 per clock hour) | |
| Keynotes: | |
Spero Manson, PhD, (Pembina Chippewa), Distinguished Professor, directs the Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health in the Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver. His programs include 8 national centers, entailing research, program development, and training among 102 Native communities, spanning rural, reservation, urban, and village settings. | |
Ben Danielson, MD, Medical Director, Odessa Brown Children's Clinic, Seattle. Dr. Benjamin Danielson joined Seattle Children's Hospital in 1995. He has been the medical director of Odessa Brown Children's Clinic in Seattle since 1999, and he holds the Janet and Jim Sinegal Endowed Chair for the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic. The clinic has been an active part of Seattle's Central District since 1970. |
Monday, August 16, 2010
2010 Race & Pedagogy Conference
Posted by Mandy
The 2010 Race & Pedagogy Conference will be held at University of Puget Sound in Tacoma from October 28-30th! More info below-- register before September 15th for a discount!
More Information
The 2010 Race & Pedagogy Conference will be held at University of Puget Sound in Tacoma from October 28-30th! More info below-- register before September 15th for a discount!
More Information
Teaching and Learning for Justice: Danger and Opportunity in Our Critical Moment
Building on the success of the 2006 Race and Pedagogy National Conference and the sustained efforts of Puget Sound faculty, staff, students, and community partners, the University of Puget Sound will present its second national conference with the theme “Teaching and Learning for Justice: Danger and Opportunity in Our Critical Moment.”
The conference theme is informed by the notion that history is marked with moments in which action and inaction have determined whether human rights, civil rights, and social justice were advanced or thwarted. The 2010 National Conference will convene a community of learners and teachers to explore subthemes including:
- The critical moments of possibilities and pitfalls in education, the arts, and society;
- Innovations in partnerships for educational justice;
- Dilemmas and new directions in pedagogy about race.
Events for Queer People of Color
Posted by Mandy
We're doin' it again....
*** Please pass on to anyone you think would be interested ***
Hello Queer & Trans People of Color!!!
We are happy to Invite you to
THe EpiC SummEr QTPoC Retreat
AUGUST 20th-22nd, 2010
Location: INDIANOLA, WA
(on the peninsula) address will be given upon registration
We would love for you to join us for a cooperative rejuvenating and healing weekend. We are pooling our skills and resources to create a time and space for us to recharge.
Our vision includes YOU, your beautiful bodies, brains, and your participation in this lovely weekend extravaganza.
The Deets
FoOd
Our goal is to be able to provide full and nutritious meals that are nourishing and delicious for the entire weekend. We’ll try to provide organic veggies, gluten-free and dairy-free options. We are outreaching to several local farms and collecting donations. We are also putting a call out for donations from your garden as well as anything else you may be able to contribute. We would especially love your help with teas, honey, agave, and some of the more expensive condiments.
hEaliN’
Reiki, guided meditation, yoga, Tarot readings, sound healing, good food, beautiful company, idyllic scenery, jam sessions (bring your musical instruments!), AND whatever else you want to offer that is healing to you. One-on-one healing sessions and group classes will be offered as well as some learn-with-us workshops.
lOdgiNg
There are 3 Beds, plenty of floor space, and camping space available. We will be providing childcare and organizing rideshares to get people there. There is space for approximately 18 people. Accommodations will be given out on a first-come first-serve basis with ultimate priority given based on ability. We expect that many people will not be able to participate in the whole weekend but please don’t let that stop you from coming. Just let us know what you need and together we can find the best solutions for any situation.
Our intention has been to support each other in taking good care and being well. So please bring yourself, your skills and whatever financial support you can to realize this vision. We are serious about the power of collective healing through learning and experience in community. AND having a goodass time!!!
Please reflect on your resources, time, energy when considering how much to contribute for three days of fabulousness, healing, and skill sharing. Contributions can be: foods, money, skills, energy, conversation, and love. To offset some costs, we’re asking for a donation of $0-30 for the weekend. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. So please bring yourself your skills and whatever financial support you can to realize this vision.
SAY YES CuZ YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!!!
RSVP to Christine Guiao at christineguiao@gmail.com, then go and fill out the Doodle survey:
http://doodle.com/pxrqav8iit23syxq. And please indicate any dietary restrictions.
We're doin' it again....
Queer People of Color and Friends
::: All Ages :::
::::: DANCE PARTY :::::
Join QPOC and Friends as we dance, dance, dance from
8pm - midnight
@ Hidmo (2000 S. Jackson)
Saturday, August 21st
$5-$7 requested donation, no one turned away
ALL proceeds benefit the API Safety Center's
Queer Network Program
Brought to you by....
Asian Pacific Islander Women & Family Safety Center
APIWFSC organizes to create a stronger community of Queer & Ally Asian/Pacific Islanders and People of Color in order to decrease sexual assault, domestic violence, & human trafficking in our communities. We recognize the need to build communities that embrace our full selves, and we exist as a service to you.
If you are concerned about any of these issues, want to learn more or get involved let us know:
206.467.9976
Supported by....
The NW Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian & Gay Survivors of Abuse
The Northwest Network increases our communities' ability to support the self-determination and safety of bisexual, trans, lesbian, and gay survivors of abuse through education, organizing, and advocacy.
We provide support and advocacy for LBGT folks of all genders who are surviving intimate/partner and dating violence. We are leather and kink friendly.
206.568.7777
*** Please pass on to anyone you think would be interested ***
Hello Queer & Trans People of Color!!!
We are happy to Invite you to
THe EpiC SummEr QTPoC Retreat
AUGUST 20th-22nd, 2010
Location: INDIANOLA, WA
(on the peninsula) address will be given upon registration
We would love for you to join us for a cooperative rejuvenating and healing weekend. We are pooling our skills and resources to create a time and space for us to recharge.
Our vision includes YOU, your beautiful bodies, brains, and your participation in this lovely weekend extravaganza.
The Deets
FoOd
Our goal is to be able to provide full and nutritious meals that are nourishing and delicious for the entire weekend. We’ll try to provide organic veggies, gluten-free and dairy-free options. We are outreaching to several local farms and collecting donations. We are also putting a call out for donations from your garden as well as anything else you may be able to contribute. We would especially love your help with teas, honey, agave, and some of the more expensive condiments.
hEaliN’
Reiki, guided meditation, yoga, Tarot readings, sound healing, good food, beautiful company, idyllic scenery, jam sessions (bring your musical instruments!), AND whatever else you want to offer that is healing to you. One-on-one healing sessions and group classes will be offered as well as some learn-with-us workshops.
lOdgiNg
There are 3 Beds, plenty of floor space, and camping space available. We will be providing childcare and organizing rideshares to get people there. There is space for approximately 18 people. Accommodations will be given out on a first-come first-serve basis with ultimate priority given based on ability. We expect that many people will not be able to participate in the whole weekend but please don’t let that stop you from coming. Just let us know what you need and together we can find the best solutions for any situation.
Our intention has been to support each other in taking good care and being well. So please bring yourself, your skills and whatever financial support you can to realize this vision. We are serious about the power of collective healing through learning and experience in community. AND having a goodass time!!!
Please reflect on your resources, time, energy when considering how much to contribute for three days of fabulousness, healing, and skill sharing. Contributions can be: foods, money, skills, energy, conversation, and love. To offset some costs, we’re asking for a donation of $0-30 for the weekend. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. So please bring yourself your skills and whatever financial support you can to realize this vision.
SAY YES CuZ YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!!!
RSVP to Christine Guiao at christineguiao@gmail.com, then go and fill out the Doodle survey:
http://doodle.com/pxrqav8iit23syxq. And please indicate any dietary restrictions.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Turistas (no, not that one)
Posted by Mandy
*Recognizing that there is also a recent film of the same title about Natives in Brazil who steal organs from turistas (including an effort at those of the gorgeous Olivia Wilde from House), I'd like to state, right off the bat, this review is not of THAT Turistas, but the OTHER one. Cheers!
Last Wednesday, my mother and I went to see Alicia Scherson’s Turistas at SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival). Like my beautiful mother, the very talented Scherson is of the beautiful urban Santiago de Chile. In all honesty, this was our first SIFF film viewing (ever), so that experience in and of itself was quite interesting (i.e. why was there one woman wo-manning the will call/ticket purchase counter while five stood at the door of the theatre handing out voter forms?).
It is the cultural experience of seeing my first film of the motherland (the land of my mother) that I would like to speak about.
Turistas stars the hilarious and talented (alright, as well as insanely beautiful) Aline Küppenheim (how are these for "common" Latin@ names so far?). Like me, Aline is fair-skinned with brown hair (unlike me, she is very skinny!). I was thrilled throughout watching the film to see so many Latin@s who do not fit the stereotypes so tightly clung to in the United States. Latin@s with all colors of skin, hair, and eyes; speaking in a variety of accents and languages, and holding positions from biochemist to park ranger.
Carla meets a new friend!
Turistas follows the often slow-paced adventures of Carla (Aline Küppenheim) after her husband leaves her at the side of the road in a rural area when she steps out to pee (yes, there is a story there and a reason--whether good or bad, you must decide for yourself). While looking for a bus to take back to Santiago, Carla meets up with a young Norweigan man named Ulrik, who is a bit confused about his sexual orientation. The two end up at the amazingly lovely Siete Tazas (Seven Cups) National Park, where they camp among some strange company, a has-been singer of a park ranger, two eccentric look-a-like cousins, and a number of wild creatures demonstrating the chaos and beauty that is nature.
I was lucky enough to see the film at a showing that the director also attended, and a brief Q and A followed the film. One of the points that Scherson made during this time was the sad reality that the park’s eponymous Siete Tazas were destroyed by the February earthquake. The Siete Tazas are a group of seven waterfalls that have served as the park’s main attraction; since February, they have completely dried up.
Siete Tazas before and after
I wish that I could better articulate this experience and actually offer an unbiased review of the film. Turistas as a whole was undoubtedly witty and eccentric, two excellent qualities, in my opinion. Yet, I could not help but become almost entirely focused on the details, getting hints of the lost motherland, comparing ideas in the film with what I have heard from my family. One of the strongest themes that has stayed with me was the manner in which the main character so easily accepted her companion’s sexual confusion—she did not seem to care whether he was gay, straight, or bi, except as pertained to her own pleasure. I have been told so many times that queerness is equated with child molestation in Chile, yet this director, at least, remained far more open-minded in her analysis.
Certain other things stuck in my mind—avocados on hot dogs, free camping, bright ID cards. The manner in which the director simultaneously demonized the construction site tearing down the park while acknowledging its own mechanical beauty. The recognition that there is some beauty in destruction.
*Recognizing that there is also a recent film of the same title about Natives in Brazil who steal organs from turistas (including an effort at those of the gorgeous Olivia Wilde from House), I'd like to state, right off the bat, this review is not of THAT Turistas, but the OTHER one. Cheers!
Last Wednesday, my mother and I went to see Alicia Scherson’s Turistas at SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival). Like my beautiful mother, the very talented Scherson is of the beautiful urban Santiago de Chile. In all honesty, this was our first SIFF film viewing (ever), so that experience in and of itself was quite interesting (i.e. why was there one woman wo-manning the will call/ticket purchase counter while five stood at the door of the theatre handing out voter forms?).
It is the cultural experience of seeing my first film of the motherland (the land of my mother) that I would like to speak about.
Turistas stars the hilarious and talented (alright, as well as insanely beautiful) Aline Küppenheim (how are these for "common" Latin@ names so far?). Like me, Aline is fair-skinned with brown hair (unlike me, she is very skinny!). I was thrilled throughout watching the film to see so many Latin@s who do not fit the stereotypes so tightly clung to in the United States. Latin@s with all colors of skin, hair, and eyes; speaking in a variety of accents and languages, and holding positions from biochemist to park ranger.
Carla meets a new friend!
Turistas follows the often slow-paced adventures of Carla (Aline Küppenheim) after her husband leaves her at the side of the road in a rural area when she steps out to pee (yes, there is a story there and a reason--whether good or bad, you must decide for yourself). While looking for a bus to take back to Santiago, Carla meets up with a young Norweigan man named Ulrik, who is a bit confused about his sexual orientation. The two end up at the amazingly lovely Siete Tazas (Seven Cups) National Park, where they camp among some strange company, a has-been singer of a park ranger, two eccentric look-a-like cousins, and a number of wild creatures demonstrating the chaos and beauty that is nature.
I was lucky enough to see the film at a showing that the director also attended, and a brief Q and A followed the film. One of the points that Scherson made during this time was the sad reality that the park’s eponymous Siete Tazas were destroyed by the February earthquake. The Siete Tazas are a group of seven waterfalls that have served as the park’s main attraction; since February, they have completely dried up.
Siete Tazas before and after
I wish that I could better articulate this experience and actually offer an unbiased review of the film. Turistas as a whole was undoubtedly witty and eccentric, two excellent qualities, in my opinion. Yet, I could not help but become almost entirely focused on the details, getting hints of the lost motherland, comparing ideas in the film with what I have heard from my family. One of the strongest themes that has stayed with me was the manner in which the main character so easily accepted her companion’s sexual confusion—she did not seem to care whether he was gay, straight, or bi, except as pertained to her own pleasure. I have been told so many times that queerness is equated with child molestation in Chile, yet this director, at least, remained far more open-minded in her analysis.
Certain other things stuck in my mind—avocados on hot dogs, free camping, bright ID cards. The manner in which the director simultaneously demonized the construction site tearing down the park while acknowledging its own mechanical beauty. The recognition that there is some beauty in destruction.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Next time you're in a poor community count the Money Trees!
Posted by Mona
Here is an article from the Indian Giver newsletter, it made me think of how many times I've been on the "poor side" of town and seen the street corners littered with Money Tress or Check into Cash types of establishments. One day when you have nothing better to do drive in a "poor side of town" and then drive near a "gated" community and do a comparative summary of the types of business you're likely to find operating in each neighborhood. While this article gave a perfect argument about predatory lending, what about strip clubs, adult stores, tobacco stores, casino's, etc...and poor sides of town? You are not likely to find the same types of business in a upscale neighborhood. What are the root causes? What needs to be done in-order to have more equitable neighborhoods? Happy reading.
June 2010
"This month we focus on: Predatory Lending. With the recent economic crisis, predatory lending continues to be a hot topic and Indian Country is stepping forward to protect Native people from financial exploitation. Learn about a Native American leader who spoke out when it was not so popular, and how you can help First Nations strengthen and protect Native communities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exhibiting Leadership for Indian Country, When Everybody is Watching
When it comes to regulating the payday lending industry in and around Indian reservations, some Indian leaders would just as soon let the fox guard the henhouse. But it is in moments like this that we get the rare chance to see great Indian leadership in action. On June 8, 2008, Senator Byron Dorgan (ND) held Senate Hearing 110-484, Predatory Lending in Indian Country, before the Committee on Indian Affairs.
At this hearing, when representatives from Indian Country were seemingly aligning themselves with the Community Financial Services Association (CFSA - a membership association that represents, by their own estimation, approximately 60% of the 25,000 payday lending storefronts in the United States), Indian Country was once again treated to Chairman W. Ron Allen’s undying devotion to Indian peoples.
During the hearing, one Indian leader testified that, “I would be willing to work with the people of CFSA and in the banking industry as a whole, to expand financial education to all of our people. Education ultimately is the answer to most problems, not regulation.”
And while it’s hard not to agree with the benefits of education, it is difficult to stomach someone extolling the virtues of working with CFSA as a way of protecting Indian Country from predatory lending.
Enter W. Ron Allen, Chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and then Secretary, and present treasurer of the National Congress of American Indians, who made it clear the issues facing Indian Country:
“Because of the persistent lack of economic opportunity, sustainable financial services and tribal jurisdictional issues, there have only been a handful of banks that serve tribal communities. As a result, tribal citizens continue to lack basic financial services or choices that most Americans … take for granted. Tribal members have limited access when financing a home, starting a business or purchasing necessary property like cars needed to make a living.
The vacuum created by the lack of responsive and regulated financial institutions offering competitive consumer financial products has been quickly filled by predatory lending firms that have proliferated after usury laws were lifted a few years ago—especially in transient and unbanked communities, like military bases and reservations. The effect of having a tribal population unbanked and subject to predatory financial firms is that it strips an already vulnerable population of the opportunity to advance by preventing them from building assets, equity and wealth. And the result of individuals having limited and sometimes no viable options for responsive bank products means tribal citizens pay higher fees and much higher interest rates, leaving tribal citizens that live check-to-check more vulnerable when one of life's predictable emergencies arises such as a death in the family or a medical bill, forcing a cycle of debt.”
For Mr. Allen, it all came back to the core Indian Country asset – sovereignty. Ron’s testimony concluded with:
“The last item is jurisdiction. This is an area where, as we move forward, we want the financial institutions to come onto our reservations or around our communities. But we need some sort of controls over that industry. So as we explore these issues, it really becomes an issue of, should there be some additional legislation that provides clarity about the tribes' authority over these institutions, whether they are banking or non-banking lenders on the reservation.
Congress should consider giving tribes the same capability to protect their citizens with the ability to opt into models such as the military fix. Congress should also consider promoting responsive community banking in tribal communities by giving tribes the authority to approve banks that do business on their reservations in a manner similar to state governments.”
Emerging leaders in Indian Country would do well to emulate Mr. Allen’s continued commitment to Indian peoples and Indian Country’s fight to retain its sovereignty."
Here is an article from the Indian Giver newsletter, it made me think of how many times I've been on the "poor side" of town and seen the street corners littered with Money Tress or Check into Cash types of establishments. One day when you have nothing better to do drive in a "poor side of town" and then drive near a "gated" community and do a comparative summary of the types of business you're likely to find operating in each neighborhood. While this article gave a perfect argument about predatory lending, what about strip clubs, adult stores, tobacco stores, casino's, etc...and poor sides of town? You are not likely to find the same types of business in a upscale neighborhood. What are the root causes? What needs to be done in-order to have more equitable neighborhoods? Happy reading.
June 2010
"This month we focus on: Predatory Lending. With the recent economic crisis, predatory lending continues to be a hot topic and Indian Country is stepping forward to protect Native people from financial exploitation. Learn about a Native American leader who spoke out when it was not so popular, and how you can help First Nations strengthen and protect Native communities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exhibiting Leadership for Indian Country, When Everybody is Watching
When it comes to regulating the payday lending industry in and around Indian reservations, some Indian leaders would just as soon let the fox guard the henhouse. But it is in moments like this that we get the rare chance to see great Indian leadership in action. On June 8, 2008, Senator Byron Dorgan (ND) held Senate Hearing 110-484, Predatory Lending in Indian Country, before the Committee on Indian Affairs.
At this hearing, when representatives from Indian Country were seemingly aligning themselves with the Community Financial Services Association (CFSA - a membership association that represents, by their own estimation, approximately 60% of the 25,000 payday lending storefronts in the United States), Indian Country was once again treated to Chairman W. Ron Allen’s undying devotion to Indian peoples.
During the hearing, one Indian leader testified that, “I would be willing to work with the people of CFSA and in the banking industry as a whole, to expand financial education to all of our people. Education ultimately is the answer to most problems, not regulation.”
And while it’s hard not to agree with the benefits of education, it is difficult to stomach someone extolling the virtues of working with CFSA as a way of protecting Indian Country from predatory lending.
Enter W. Ron Allen, Chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and then Secretary, and present treasurer of the National Congress of American Indians, who made it clear the issues facing Indian Country:
“Because of the persistent lack of economic opportunity, sustainable financial services and tribal jurisdictional issues, there have only been a handful of banks that serve tribal communities. As a result, tribal citizens continue to lack basic financial services or choices that most Americans … take for granted. Tribal members have limited access when financing a home, starting a business or purchasing necessary property like cars needed to make a living.
The vacuum created by the lack of responsive and regulated financial institutions offering competitive consumer financial products has been quickly filled by predatory lending firms that have proliferated after usury laws were lifted a few years ago—especially in transient and unbanked communities, like military bases and reservations. The effect of having a tribal population unbanked and subject to predatory financial firms is that it strips an already vulnerable population of the opportunity to advance by preventing them from building assets, equity and wealth. And the result of individuals having limited and sometimes no viable options for responsive bank products means tribal citizens pay higher fees and much higher interest rates, leaving tribal citizens that live check-to-check more vulnerable when one of life's predictable emergencies arises such as a death in the family or a medical bill, forcing a cycle of debt.”
For Mr. Allen, it all came back to the core Indian Country asset – sovereignty. Ron’s testimony concluded with:
“The last item is jurisdiction. This is an area where, as we move forward, we want the financial institutions to come onto our reservations or around our communities. But we need some sort of controls over that industry. So as we explore these issues, it really becomes an issue of, should there be some additional legislation that provides clarity about the tribes' authority over these institutions, whether they are banking or non-banking lenders on the reservation.
Congress should consider giving tribes the same capability to protect their citizens with the ability to opt into models such as the military fix. Congress should also consider promoting responsive community banking in tribal communities by giving tribes the authority to approve banks that do business on their reservations in a manner similar to state governments.”
Emerging leaders in Indian Country would do well to emulate Mr. Allen’s continued commitment to Indian peoples and Indian Country’s fight to retain its sovereignty."
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