May 2022 Cultural Work Roundup

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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! Check out these ways to celebrate our existence and resistance with the monthly dose of AAPI and BIPOC makers, radical thinkers, and resources featuring recommendations by Cultural Work Coordinator, Roshani Thakore. If you would like to include an item to a future Cultural Work Roundup, email Roshani at roshani@apano.org by the 20th of that month.

PRACTICE

• Voices of Change Community Celebration – To cap off our series of events during Asian + Pacific Islander Heritage Month, APANO and APANO CUF present Voices of Change Community Celebration. We will celebrate our existence and resistance today. We are here - the future is in our hands! Stay tuned for more information here.
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• Liberation in Practice: Community Conversations on Resilience, Connections, & Growth – The past two years have changed the world: unveiled the undeniable inequities that burden communities of color and inspired many to recommit to social justice and systemic change. We know that our communities are complex, diverse, strong, and beautiful. We are so grateful to be in community with you and we have focussed our heritage month programming on celebrating community. experience. We have partnered with inspiring community leaders, deep in social justice work, and we invite you to join the conversation. These gatherings are for the BIPOC community. Wednesdays, May 4, 11, and 18. More details can be found here.
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• Community Risograph Hours with Raveena Bhalara – Local artist, Raveena Bhalara, is the second BIPOC Printmaker in Residence at the East Portland Art + Justice Lab’s Mobile Print Studio! She will be hosting open community hours on Fridays for folks to try out the risograph! Sign up here! Fridays, May 13 and 27, 6 - 8 pm.
• Constant State of Otherness, Unit Souzou Performance – Constant State of Otherness is a multi-layered performance weaving taiko, Japanese folk dance, and storytelling, revealing the impact of othering and alienation. Six performers excavate their personal stories through a four-part journey to fractally unfold and offer an invitation to find our shared longing to belong. Following the Saturday matinee performance, audience members of Asian American & Pacific Islander descent are invited to a facilitated space to share, reflect, process, and acknowledge personal stories of otherness and its impact on our identities and lives. Friday, May 20th at 7:30 pm and Saturday, May 21st 2 pm & 7:30 pm. Portland Opera, 211 SE Caruthers Street. Tickets are pay what you can.

WATCH

• Innocent Until Proven Muslim – Author Dr. Maha Hilal who discusses her new book Innocent Until Proven Muslim: Islamophobia, the War on Terror, and the Muslim Experience Since 9/11. In her comprehensive presentation Maha takes us through the rhetoric and actions of the US government in the two decades since the War on Terror was declared after 9/11, and what the impacts have been on Muslim communities in the country.
• Asian Americans – Asian Americans is a five-hour PBS film series that delivers a bold, fresh perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever. As America becomes more diverse, and more divided while facing unimaginable challenges, how do we move forward together? Told through intimate personal stories, the series will cast a new lens on U.S. history and the ongoing role that Asian Americans have played.

LISTEN

• Dear Asian Girl – Focused on intersectional activism, politics, equality and equity, Dear Asian Girl is a podcast for teens focused on uplifting, highlighting, and supporting Asian girls everywhere. With the lack of representation amongst Asian girls in social media, it's important that Asian girls support one another and bring awareness in order to be at the forefront of this change. For Asian Girls, by Asian Girls. Hosted by Genesis Magpayo, Naina Giri, Abi Lee, and Izzie Kim.
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• AAWW Radio: New Asian American Literature – All your favorite Asian American writers reading & in conversation with each other. AAWW Radio is the podcast of the Asian American Writers' Workshop, a national nonprofit and an alternative literary arts space working at the intersection of race, migration, and social justice. We're dedicated to the idea that Asian American stories deserve to be told. Learn more at http://aaww.org.
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READ

• ABC’S of AAPIS Coloring Book – This rad book began when the Asian American Advocacy Fund in Atlanta asked 30 local Asian American artists of all media what their visions are for our communities. Most conversations led back to empowering our children, the future leaders of our world! The hope is that this book will help educate and instill a sense of belonging and pride for their identity and this country in a fun and creative way.
• APANO Book Recommendations at Powell’s Books – Powell’s Books has over 20 book recommendations from APANO staff and community members highlighting AAPI authors. Check them out online or at their downtown location! 1005 W Burnside Street.

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LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES

• APANO’s Cultural Work Department is Expanding! – Candace and Roshani are looking for the next Cultural Work Coordinator! Deadline to apply is Monday, May 16th at 5 pm. For a complete listing go to https://apano.org/cultural-work-coordinator-2/

This programming content brought to you by APANO Communities United Fund, a 501(c)3 non profit organization.