Events Focus on the Theme Asians/Asian Americans in the Media
In March, Wellesley celebrates Asian Awareness Month with a variety of events including spoken word performance, lecture and community dinner, film screening, and live comedy show.
“Asian Awareness Month serves to create dialogue and raise awareness of Asian/Asian American issues on Wellesley's campus every year,” said Karen Shih, assistant dean of intercultural education and advisor to students of Asian descent. “This year's theme is ‘Asian/Asian Americans in the Media’ and will challenge students to explore media portrayals of race, class, and sexuality with regards to the Asian/Asian American community.”
A spoken word performance from the group Dark Matter kicked off the month on March 1, drawing a large crowd in Tishman Commons to hear poetry on themes of race, class, sexuality, and body-positivity. The artists emphasized building solidarity among members of a diverse community and recognizing intersectionality.
Other Events this Month
Keynote: Asian/Asian Americans and the Media
Tuesday, March 11, 5-6:30 p.m., Tishman Commons
Professor Kent Ono, from the Department of Communication at the University of Utah, will discuss the historical and contemporary representations of Asians and Asian Americans in film, print, television, and even Internet-situated media and the ways in which Asian America has responded to these representations through their own complex self-portraits. Community dinner included.
Linsanity
Thursday, March 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Knapp Atrium
The Sundance-selection documentary about NBA basketball star Jeremy Lin will be co-hosted by Wellesley College Asian Awareness Month Committee, Film Society, Taiwanese Cultural Organization, and Wellesley Asian Alliance.
Kate Rigg Comedy Show: Slanty Eyed Mama
Friday, April 4, 7-8:30 p.m., TBA
Kate Rigg and her guest artist will focus their performance on the representation of Asians in the media. Through a stand-up comedy routine and musical performance, they will challenge cultural stereotyping by addressing pop culture, race, media images of Asians, tolerance and the linking of diverse communities through art.
