MWSM @ United Prodigies “Moving On Up” Showcase.
Author Archives: mwsmovement
Movin’ On Up Showcase
6/2/2012: MWSM @ United Prodigies “Movin’ On Up” Showcase.
MWSM performing our Marriage Amendment Piece, tabling for President Obama, Health & Wellness Clinic and bringing out MWSM!
Johnson High School
05/24/2012 – MWSM at Johnson High school. Talking to youth about our experiences, struggles, coming out stories and answering questions or concerns.
Ramsey Middle School
05/10/2012 – MWSM at Ramsey Middle School. We got invites to talk about our experiences, struggles, coming out stories and answering questions or concerns.
Txuj Ci Showcase Pictures!
We want to acknowledge and thank the GLBT Programs Office and the Asian Sorority Interest Group at University of Minnesota, the performers, volunteers, and the 168+ participants! This year at the showcase, we had two fashion shows, live visual art, Qeej: Hmong instrument, a traditional Cambodian instrument, a drag show, spoken word artists and singing performances. We had delicious vegetarian and glucose free options food options. We hope to collaborate with the Txuj Ci Showcase in the future! All photos were taken by Maysa Vang.
First Round of MCs: Linda Her & Mindy Yang
Xay Yang, GLBT Programs Office at the University of Minnesota
Ashaley Yang and her beautiful models
Sina Yi‘s stunning models
Second Round of MCs: Fue Khang & Kong Pha
Spoken Word by Tou Saiko Lee
- An amazing performance by Gaosong Vang
(left to right) Blong Yang, Candidate for Hennepin County Commissioner, Mindy Yang, Linda Her, & Dee Lee
Traditional Cambodian instrument by Sina Yi
Drag Show by Chann Kong
Hmong Instrument Qeej by Pa-Shie Vang (photo) & Mai Pa Chang
Lovely Visual Art by Brenda Khothsombath
The Beautiful Audience
Marriage Amendment piece by MWSM (left to right): Dee Lee, Chong Vang, Linda Her & Mindy Yang
May 22, 2012 – TPT Interview with Voting and the Democratic Process in the Hmong Community
Greetings from the Margins!
On May 22, 2012, ECHO (Emergency and Community Health Outreach) invited MWSM to come do an interview at Twin Cities Public Television on the significant of Youth engagement in the voting and democratic process in the Hmong Community.
On that day, Chong V. represented MWSM and went in for the interview with ECHO. He recalls a feeling of nervousness before the shooting, but after running into Bao Vang, the CEO and E.D. of HAP, who was also a participant at the interview, his feelings of anxiety were rest assured.
(Left to Right) TPT Staff/Interviewer, Chong V., & Kong C.
Upon the interview with ECHO on TPT, Chong was asked to identify why he thought it is important to vote, why it is important for 1st and 2nd generation of immigrants to vote, what does the democratic process mean, and why it was important for youth engagement when voting. The interview was split into two segments, one was in English, while the other was in Hmong.
During the interview, Chong and Kong were able to experience the reality behind a studio shooting. They were amazed by the various gadgets present in the room and the technical language used during the shooting. “Left, Right, Focus, Right, Dissolve!”
After shooting the youth interview, we were offered to take a photo in front of the studio/stage area with our interviewer. It was such an amazing experience to be in a space and talk about some very important information that needs to be circulated in the Hmong community.
The video clip is not out until later June or early July. The clip will be posted shortly after it is public.
May 19, 2012 – Day of Action with President Obama’s Grassroots Campaign
Greetings from the Margins!
It was such a beautiful day after the National API HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, that we decided to go volunteer and help door-knock for President Obama’s Grassroots Campaign.
(Left to Right) Danny K., Dee L., & Chong V.
This was actually Danny K.’s first time out door-knocking, so the lovely Dee L. had the pleasure to train in Danny K. on how to effectively door-knock; and how to make an ask for voters to commit to vote for President Obama on Election Day, November 6, 2012.
Although it was quite hot and humid on that day, we came across a block (across from Central High) that was polluted with garbage from the neighbors. While canvassing, we came across an unused trash bag and decided that we cannot only canvass today, but we needed to be proactive in being GREEN as well. So, we decided to pick up trash and pollutants around the area where we canvassed.
Not only will we leave an impression that we are committed to making change on a national level, but we are also very committed to making sustaining change on a local level as well.
Saturday, May 19, 2012 – National API HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Greetings from the Margins! On Saturday, May 19, 2012, MWSM was invited to come speak at the National API HIV/AIDS Awareness Day event at Neighborhood House in South St. Paul, MN. MWSM’s collective member, Chong V., took on the role of speaking about his experiences as a Gay Asian American male with experiences of STDs and HIV/AIDS in the Gay and Bisexual MSM (Men Who Have Sex with Men) community.
(Left to Right) Dee L., Danny K., & Chong V.
Chong gave such a heartfelt story highlighting his experiences of being a Model Minority discovering his sexuality, and how the two identities clashed with one another leading to his experiences of STDs and HIV/AIDS in the MSM community.
Furthermore, we were excited to see young participants coming in and wanting to learn more about how to prevent the increase of HIV/AIDS in their own communities; and getting tested to educate themselves on their HIV status. Hopefully, the National API HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is not just an event designated to one day, but a routine every API individual will incorporate into their daily lives.
MidWest Solidarity Movement 