The Detroit Asian Youth Project’s website has a great statement from the father of teenager Chonburi Xiong who was killed by the police in his own home:
"My name is Pang Blia Xiong. I was born in a small farming village in Laos on December 31, 1956. I did not have much of a childhood because my country was torn apart by war. When the Americans came to Laos, they asked our people, the Hmong, to help fight the Communists. I did not know much about America, but my parents told us it was our duty to help the Americans..."
And it goes on from there. It's a touching letter, and I hope people see some resolution and closure to this issue soon.
Friday, February 02, 2007
California Hmong Poets Blogs and Websites
First, this isn't a post that's going to comprehensively and definitively discuss all of the Hmong poets and writers in California, but I do want to call some attention to some great blogs and websites out there right now.
Over the years, one of the Hmong poets whose work I've consistently and deeply respected from his appearances in the Paj Ntaub Voice and Bamboo Among the Oaks is Soul Choj Vang, who really raises the bar for our expectations of modern Hmong poetry.
He's now got a blog over at http://hmongpoet.blogspot.com and if you've got any interest in Hmong American poetry, you should stop in. It's been a little while since he's last added some work, but hopefully he'll be updating it soon.
I personally consider Soul Vang one of the essential poets to read to get a sense of the California Hmong approach to poetry, right along with Burlee Vang at http://burlee.blogspot.com
Two other young Hmong writers from Fresno whose work I'm enjoying seeing these days include Andre Yang at http://andreyang.blogspot.com, and Abel Vang at http://www.myspace.com/abelvang.
Although Abel doesn't have a lot of his poetry up at the moment, his material that he has submitted in the past to Paj Ntaub Voice has always been distinctive and memorable, and hopefully it won't be too long before more of his poetic work becomes available. (hint, hint.)
Renee Ya at http://www.reneeya.com is showing some promise and tremendous enthusiasm as well with her new website, where she's sharing a number of poems and works in progress in a variety of mediums.
http://www.myspace.com/the_hawc is the homepage for the Hmong American Writer's Circle, and while they're not the only group out there, they are drawing together some great young writers and producing some very interesting material that is usually something to look forward to.
As always, I'm particularly interested in hearing about new Hmong and Lao writers and their websites across the country, and if you've got any suggestions, tell us about them!
Over the years, one of the Hmong poets whose work I've consistently and deeply respected from his appearances in the Paj Ntaub Voice and Bamboo Among the Oaks is Soul Choj Vang, who really raises the bar for our expectations of modern Hmong poetry.
He's now got a blog over at http://hmongpoet.blogspot.com and if you've got any interest in Hmong American poetry, you should stop in. It's been a little while since he's last added some work, but hopefully he'll be updating it soon.
I personally consider Soul Vang one of the essential poets to read to get a sense of the California Hmong approach to poetry, right along with Burlee Vang at http://burlee.blogspot.com
Two other young Hmong writers from Fresno whose work I'm enjoying seeing these days include Andre Yang at http://andreyang.blogspot.com, and Abel Vang at http://www.myspace.com/abelvang.
Although Abel doesn't have a lot of his poetry up at the moment, his material that he has submitted in the past to Paj Ntaub Voice has always been distinctive and memorable, and hopefully it won't be too long before more of his poetic work becomes available. (hint, hint.)
Renee Ya at http://www.reneeya.com is showing some promise and tremendous enthusiasm as well with her new website, where she's sharing a number of poems and works in progress in a variety of mediums.
http://www.myspace.com/the_hawc is the homepage for the Hmong American Writer's Circle, and while they're not the only group out there, they are drawing together some great young writers and producing some very interesting material that is usually something to look forward to.
As always, I'm particularly interested in hearing about new Hmong and Lao writers and their websites across the country, and if you've got any suggestions, tell us about them!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Off to Marscon!
MarsCon 2007
March 2-4,2007
Holiday Inn Select
Bloomington, MN
It's been a while since I've been to a Marscon, but I'll be giving some fun and exciting presentations next month, particularly on issues regarding the Cthulhu Mythos, and I hope to see you there if you can make it! Here's the run-down on the panels I'm specifically a part of:
Friday, 3/2 5:00-6:00 PM: Night Voices, Night Journeys
"Night Voices, Night Journeys" is a series of translated books that are essentially H.P. Lovecraft-inspired horror stories from Japan. I'll be discussing the series and its impacts/implications: What's good, what works, and what we should be looking for in the future.
Saturday, 3/3 11:00 a.m.-Noon, Panel: Your Favorite Lovecraft? (That Fresh Shiny Cylinder...)
Ed Rom, Ron Searby and I will discuss one of the 20th century's most influential horror writers, including the question: Which is your favorite story by H.P. Lovecraft (1890-1937), and why? We'll also discuss Lovecraft's evolution away from fantasy-horror to science fiction-horror. The always entertaining Paula L. Fleming, will be our moderator!
Saturday, 3/3 2:00-3:00 p.m., Panel: J-Horror That Doesn't Suck
I'll be moderating the panel on this one. "Truth to tell, Japan is becoming a leader in the production of innovative horror cinema. What are some of your favorites, and why?" featuring S.D. Hintz and Catherine Lundoff.
Saturday 3/3 11:00 p.m.- Sun, Midnight, Panel: Guns of Sci-Fi
In what promises to be one of my more unusual discussions, I'll be teaming up with Erik D. Pakieser, Nathan Lalum, and Blair Keith to discuss: "Guns, blasters and other weapons of sci-fi & action...what's new? What's old? What do we want to see, and what are we tired of?"
Sunday, 3/4 10:00-11:00 a.m.: Free/Libre/Open Source Software for Fan Films
Rich Brown and I will be leading this fun conversation. "So you want to make a movie, little fan? How's your budget? Pro post-production software can cost a bundle. Or you can use FLOSS. What's out there? Will it do what you want?" With handouts!
And finally:
Sunday 3/4 1:00-2:00 p.m. Panel: Cthulhu Overexposed? (AKA Slimy Tentacles are so 20th Century...)
"Are Lovecraft's Elder Gods and Ancient Ones helped or harmed by their many appearances in popular culture and Cthulhu Mythos stories by other writers?" S.D. Hintz and I take on this provocative question.
A special thanks to all of the con organizers for bringing this together!
Post-Parallax Report
Thanks, everyone!
We had a packed house for our show at the Loft literary center, and I think we gave one of our strongest readings yet.
Which is good considering all of the work and time that went into it.
We had wonderful company, from fellow writers, film-makers, actors and actresses, musicians and visual artists in the audience. Hmong writers Shoua Lee, Noukou Thao, Peter Yang and May Lee were with us, providing some great backup support during this time and Katie Vang did a great job as an emcee- we would happily have her emcee for us again.
We gave away some great door prizes, including a rare reproduction of the original photograph used for the cover to Bamboo Among the Oaks, a year membership to the Loft Literary Center, as well as large prints of pictures from our travels to Laos.
We also had an art exhibition featuring the work of Hmong and Lao artists including the work of Sai Vang, Penh Lor, Vongduane Manivong and Pacyinz Lyfoung.The show ran exactly on time, starting at 7:15 and going til 8:30. We then went to Cafe BonXai on University Avenue for the after-party.
And all on a Friday evening after work!
Who could ask for anything more! :)
I'd definitely do it again.
And as a quick plug, May Lee and Shoua Lee will be doing their show at the Loft this February on Friday, 2/16! You don't want to miss it!
We had a packed house for our show at the Loft literary center, and I think we gave one of our strongest readings yet.
Which is good considering all of the work and time that went into it.
We had wonderful company, from fellow writers, film-makers, actors and actresses, musicians and visual artists in the audience. Hmong writers Shoua Lee, Noukou Thao, Peter Yang and May Lee were with us, providing some great backup support during this time and Katie Vang did a great job as an emcee- we would happily have her emcee for us again.
We gave away some great door prizes, including a rare reproduction of the original photograph used for the cover to Bamboo Among the Oaks, a year membership to the Loft Literary Center, as well as large prints of pictures from our travels to Laos.
We also had an art exhibition featuring the work of Hmong and Lao artists including the work of Sai Vang, Penh Lor, Vongduane Manivong and Pacyinz Lyfoung.The show ran exactly on time, starting at 7:15 and going til 8:30. We then went to Cafe BonXai on University Avenue for the after-party.
And all on a Friday evening after work!
Who could ask for anything more! :)
I'd definitely do it again.
And as a quick plug, May Lee and Shoua Lee will be doing their show at the Loft this February on Friday, 2/16! You don't want to miss it!
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