If you're anywhere around the University of Michigan, just wanted to make sure you knew about an awesome event happening this weekend: Out of the Margins: Asian American Movement Building, a two-day conference on the past, present and future of Asian American political activism.
Guest speakers and performers will include Grace Lee Boggs, Nobuko Miyamoto, Geologic (of Blue Scholars), Kiwi and DJ Phatrick, Bao Phi and more. It's happening March 25-26 at Michigan League and Trotter Multicultural Center. Here are some more details about the conference:
Out of the Margins: Asian American Movement BuildingAll events are free and open to the public. This sounds like it's going to be an amazing event, with lots of friends to this blog taking part, and a fantastic lineup of entertainment. For more information about Out of the Margins, go to the conference website here and the Facebook event page here.
March 25 and 26, 2011
University of Michigan
Locations: Michigan League (911 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109), 2:00 to 11:00pm on March 25
Trotter Multicultural Center (1443 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109), 9:00am to 9:00pm on March 26
Featured events:
Sustainable Activism for the 21st Century:
Friday, March 25, 4:00-6:00pm in the Michigan League Ballroom
This panel discussion will feature Grace Lee Boggs, the 95-year-old philosopher-activist from Detroit; Michael Hardt (Duke University professor of literature), an internationally renowned political theorist and co-author of the books Empire and Multitude; and Mabel Williams, a civil and human rights activist and widow of the African American activist, Robert F. Williams. There will be a reception following the discussion, and Boggs will sign copies of her new book, The Next American Revolution.
Asian American Performers Showcase:
Friday, March 25, 7:30 to 11:00pm in the Michigan League Ballroom
This event will celebrate four decades of socially conscious Asian American music and arts. From Los Angeles, Nobuko Miyamoto, one of the pioneering figures in the Asian American folk music scene of the 1960s and 70s, will provide a history of Asian American activism through a multimedia performance. She will be joined by critically acclaimed hip-hop artists Geologic (from Seattle’s Blue Scholars), Kiwi (San Francisco Bay Area), and DJ Phatrick (Los Angeles), as well as a range of student performers.
Conference Panels:
Saturday, March 26, 9:00am to 5:30pm
Topics to be addressed include community organizing, public education, immigration, cultural activism, international adoption, LGBT politics, and multiracial coalition building. Helen Gym of Philadelphia’s Asian Americans United will provide a luncheon keynote address.