On Black Lives Matter

Note: Both English and Korean subtitles available

I made a video last week in Korean about my perspectives on Black Lives Matter work and how I think it connects to my parents’ Korean immigration stories. It’s based on conversations with my parents and other Korean elders about police violence. It’s not perfect, and it’s not a video of the most “radical” political speech. And I still believe that it’s the most important to tailor the message to each person and that no video can actually have the conversation for others.

But I still went ahead with it. The video stems from a place of trying to establish connections and gentler forms of understanding with Korean families/relatives/friends, rather trying to push a political agenda on others. Often times, the intimate sphere (where Korean may be spoken more frequently) can feel separate from the political sphere (where protests/vigils/political action takes place and English is the dominant language).

My intentions for the video are: 1) to provide another tool for organizers (esp. monolingual English-speaking) to bring their political work closer to their Korean-speaking intimate circles and 2) share my thoughts and experiences as an organizer, as to make political movement work less intimidating or distant to viewers. I hope that the video is something you can share with Korean-speaking folks in your life.

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[Korean Transcript]

지난 주, 연달아 두 명의 흑인 남성들이 경찰에 의해 살해 당했습니다. 그들의 이름은 알톤 스털링 (Alton Sterling)과 필란도 카스틸 (Philando Castile)입니다. 뉴스나 인터넷을 통해서 사건을 이미 접하신 분들도 많겠지만 그 두 사건들에 대해 간단하게 설명드리겠습니다.Read More »

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Link Roundup: 12/2/14

Why Courts Can’t Solve the Problem of Cops Who Kill | ColorLines
A short article about why we can’t “indict our way to justice”

#BlackLivesMatter: A Longform Reading List | Autostraddle
A reading list slash syllabus that you should read about Black oppression

Ferguson Movement Moment Rapid Giving Information
Compiled list of different Ferguson organizations to donate to

Black Feminists Respond to Ferguson | ColorLines
An oldie from August, but still a good piece to keep intersectionality in mind

A Herstory of the #BlackLivesMatter Movement | Feminst Wire
A piece by a co-founder of the #BlackLivesMatter campaign and the queer Black women’s erasure from its later work

Obama’s Huge New Immigration Plan, explained
An overview of Obama’s new executive action and its severe limitations

Solidarity with All Lives Lost to Police and Hate Violence | CAAAV
One of the best Asian American statements of solidarity with police brutality that I’ve seen

Who has the Privilege to Protest? | Fusion
A piece pointing out white privilege of protestors, specifically at Oakland protests

In defense of blocking the highway | RI Future
An editorial about why blocking the highways is a legitimate form of protest for the Ferguson cause

Grace Lee Boggs, Close to Death, Asks Supporters for Help | ColorLines
Long-time Detriot activist Grace Lee Boggs asks for financial support for her medical bills