What's up, everybody? My people it is time again to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Vanessa Teck.
Who are you?
I'm Vanessa Teck! However, people often refer to me as Vteck. No, this has no relation to the car engine.
What are you?
I am an activist, feminist, storyteller, a struggling graduate student/aspiring scholar... and newly engaged to a fabulous partner! At my core, I am a daughter of a powerful single mother and a child of Cambodian refugees who came to the United States in the 1980s. They are my roots and inspiration for everything that I do.
Where are you?
In front of my laptop, connecting and scheming with all the wonderful social justice advocates that I have met through social media. Thank you all for helping me to procrastinate on the work I should probably get done for class.
Where are you from?
Born and raised in the beautiful Mile High City of Denver, Colorado. I'll soon be moving to Oregon.
What do you do?
Currently, I am completing my Masters in Higher Education at the University of Denver with interests in facilitating retention, persistence, and engagement through scholar activism, intersectionality, AAPI students, and women of color. I am also the Co-Founder and EVP of Multimedia and Outreach for Project Ava, a social justice multimedia storytelling company. Above all else, I dedicate my time and energy towards AAPI activism, AAPI feminism, and coalition building. At present, I serve as the Co-Chair for the Coalition of API Americans Collaborating Together to Unite the Southwest (CAACTUS), an organization that aims to empower, recognize, and organize student advocacy efforts within Asian Pacific Islander American communities of the American Southwest. It's also a pretty sweet acronym.
What are you all about?
I am all about love. No really. My commitment towards higher education and work in anti-oppression is rooted within my love for my community. I'm passionate about social justice, intersectionality, facilitating student success in higher education, building (or transforming) beloved communities, and creating more inclusive campus climates.
I also really love Harry Potter and puppies.
What makes you angry?
Everything makes me angry. Institutional and systemic oppression probably summarizes most of it. Being a womxn of color in academia makes me angry in a system that often equates academic achievement to overcoming institutional barriers. Having my body depicted by society and the media as an object to be owned makes me angry. Lack of intersectional work in scholarship and activism makes me angry, as some of us with the best intentions engage in behaviors that make members of our own community invisible. People who tone-police and make attempts to invalidate righteous anger... anger me. Oh, geeze, and comments sections. Never read the comments.
Yet... even though I am angry about all of this during every second of every day, it is absolutely crucial for me to remain constructvely and nurturingly critical.