Women Who Rock “Dance the Archive” (Un) Conference

Group 9: Alexis Alexander, Tina Nguyen, Hannah Kim, and Roberto Lopez (GWSS 241/ AFRAM 337)

We selected these photos because they capture the vibrant atmosphere of the Women Who Rock (Un) Conference. They are representative of the important moments, people, and artifacts that make the event so special and electric. From the kick-off of the event with the beautiful Fandango performance by Milvia and Iris, to the vendors who displayed their culturally rich artwork, this event had so many interesting components which made it a success. By working together as a group on this project and choosing these photos in particular, we were able to cohesively make decisions that show diverse, quality shots of the event. This experience opened our eyes to all of the amazing women involved in the music industry, and helped us learn about the importance of giving a voice to underrepresented communities.

Our group chose to select these six photos (below) in particular as it really presented the growth and expansion of the “Women Who Rock (Un) Conference”. Within each photo selected, the artwork and unity among women are represented. That being an cultural dance performance, instrumental demonstrations (Amarillo drummers), or pieces of handcrafted artistry. The collaboration within women and the unique ideas shared really inspired our group to select these photos. Surrounded by numerous pieces of art, the performers in particular and bold displays caught our attention. It allowed many individuals to particulate and stay engaged throughout the (Un) Conference.

“Where Do I Come From?”
March 16, 2019 at the Centilia Culture Center
Caption: Fandango performance by Milvia Pacheco (left) and Iris Viveros (right)

Photographer: Alex Alexander

Archive categories: Making Scenes
Image file name: fandangodance.png

Fandango performance by Milvia and Iris made a scene of cultural embracement. Milvia’s desire of wanting to extend the peace in the future left a mark of hope and love for ones originality. The performance left a mood that indicated women of expression.

“Art at the Centilia Culture Center”
March 16, 2019 at the Centilia Culture Center
Caption: A representation of what this event is all about. It shows the importance of paying tribute to ancestors and carrying on traditions that they started.

Photographer: Alex Alexander

Archive Categories: Building Communities
Image file name: womenwhorockmural.png

In order for the community to build upon the importance of diversity, exposure can make a big impact. This image that holds tiles of vivid colors and meaning that the community can follow and live upon. It showcases the significance of past ancestors for society to be aware of.

“#Vivas nos queremos”
March 16, 2019 at the Centilia Culture Center
Caption: Art presented by #vivasnosqueremos was displayed throughout the event, and this piece in particular was captivating because it shows how we all come from the same Earth and should be able to live peacefully amongst each other.

Photographer: Alex Alexander

Archive Categories: Building Communities
Image file name: vivasnosqueremos.png

This art piece is monochrome, although holds bright content that holds our community together. It devotes for our company to live peacefully and in unity between each other.  The human figures/shadows stand together with a growing tree in between. Dreaming and aiming for a tighter public.

“Cuactli Xihuicualti Arte”
March 16, 2019 at the Centilia Culture Center
Caption: A photo of Leslie presenting her art at the Dance the Archive (Un) Conference. This is a display of beautiful art that comes from her culture.

Photographer: Alex Alexander

Archive Categories: Reel Rebels
Image file name: leslievendorart.png

The shown artwork is all handcrafted by Leslie, the women in the image. I chose to categorize this particular image as “Reel Rebel” as she has used her knowledge to create something new and aesthetic relmed around her culture. Her creation creates appreciation and attention for her dignity. Her designs were unique and eye catching for the audience.

“Bomba Drummers & Percussionist”
March 16, 2019 at the Centilia Culture Center
Caption: The Bomba drummers & percussionist (Amarilys Rios, Denise Solís, Ivelisse Diazare, etc) playing for the crowd at the Women Who Rock (Un) Conference, as many participants dance in this collaborative environment to the steady beat.

Photographer: Alex Alexander

Archive Categories: Making Scenes
Image file name: amarillodrummers.png

The Amarillo drummers made a big scene as they brought and performed their music to the crowd. Not just any music, but music that comes from their ancestors long ago. Holding onto the drums and creating the sounds among one another left a beautiful remark as people joined to dance and get involved within the practices of their culture.

“Brown Angel All Naturals”
March 16, 2019 at the Centilia Culture Center
Caption: A vendor at the Women Who Rock (Un) Conference who brought these all natural skin and hair care products. These are special because they haven’t been commercialized the way most products are today – they have been handcrafted.

Photographer: Alex Alexander

Archive Categories: Making Scenes
Image file name: vendoritems.png

With numerous vendors presented, this particular vendor felt special as there were products for self care. The (Un) Conference revolving around women, these products were for upholding beauty. Playing a bigger role as they were natural and handcrafted, one of a kind.

Below are the interviews that were conducted at the (Un) Conference. Here is the Live-Blog Post URL https://womenwhorockcommunity.org/2019/03/16/live-blog-post-1-group-9-tina-nguyen/

Title: “Embracing One’s Identity”

Interviewee: Leslie

Date: March 16, 2019

Interviewer: Hannah Kim

Object type & Format: Audio

Length of Interview: 1:01

Interview #1 Transcribed:

Hannah: What does this (Un) Conference mean to you?

Leslie: This conference in particular means being able to embrace one’s identity and being able to embrace the resiliency that comes from trauma and particularly diaspora. Being able to see how students are so engaged and really into learning about different cultures. And being able to be your authentic self, while being a scholar at the same time.

Hannah: What do you think is the most significant part of this event?

Leslie: Probably meeting the different students cause I’m an educator, and being able to see how open and engage all the students are especially a topic that has to do with diaspora. But still womanhood empowerment.

Hannah: Thank you so much.

FIN

Title: “Looking at Perspectives”

Interviewee: Aileen

Date: March 16, 2019

Interviewer: Hannah Kim

Object type & Format: Audio

Length of Interview: 00:35

Interview #2 Transcribed:

Hannah: What does this (Un) Conference mean to you?

Aileen: I think it’s a really cool opportunity to see diverse perspectives especially in Seattle, I’m originally from Southern California so it’s just cool to see a lot of different diversity liking one another.

Hannah: What’s the most significant part of this event for you?

Aileen: I think meeting people, but also just seeing how engaged everybody is!

Hannah: Thank you so much.

FIN

Blog Post #4 – Hannah Nahyun Kim

The Gonzalez Zapataedoa article is significant as the story overcomes circumstances of hardships, yet embraces the qualities of musical interest. It really hit me that the power of music cannot be destroyed. The life of Zapataedo is inspiring as he find his own voice even through the hardest times of his father being alcoholic. “It was during this time I joined Quetzal, which gave me a chance to cultivate my talent as a singer, dancer, and percussionist as the band developed as a whole”. Chapter four of American Sabor covers the emerge if hip hop and punk. It introduces the different types of music that can be transformed with technique. “This technique of looping “break beats” was a key innovation of hip hop that transformed the turntable into a musical instrument requiring great skill and creativity”.  The article shares the diversity presented. “Amid all the diversity of people, fashion. Dancing, and music, one unifying thread in hip hop was African cultural heritage”. By analyzing this article, you can see the liveliness among the music industry. Both articles present the growth and community making within music.

I chose these two songs because I felt that the songs meshed many different cultural aspects. That being language, visuals, or performance. Despite the location or cultural barriers. These songs received love from society. Many American artists have covered these songs and has influenced to break cultural barriers within society today.

Individual Blog Post #4 ~ by Alex Alexander

The reading “Zapateado Afro-Chicana Fandango Style” connected quite a bit to the topic of alternative imaginaries in a number of ways. Martha Gonzalez’s story was very interesting because she grew up in a home that was heavily influenced by music, which enriched her culture. As she grew up she was exposed to various types of music (both in style and composition), which helped her create her own place in the music scene. She eventually joined a band called Quetzal, and as she put it: “The minute I heard their music I was home. Quetzal melded together lyrics in English and Spanish without sounding contrived” (364). In collaboration with her band Quetzal, Gonzalez was able to find her passion and share it with her community, while connecting with her Mexicanidad identity. Her experiences also connect with the reading “Doing it Yourself (DIY), 1980s-2000s,” in which Berrios-Miranda et al. discuss the importance of DIY music making. Just as Gonzales expressed her interest of intersecting different styles of music while at the same time staying in touch with her Chicana identity, this reading focuses on the importance of community-based music making and strengthening culture. “This orientation toward community eventually extended beyond the stylistic boundaries of punk and hip-hop to shape other kinds of music. . . Young Latin@s in all these scenes collaborated within and between communities, shaping US culture at the most grassroots level” (Berrios-Miranda et al, 207). This again relates to the concept of alternative imaginaries because it breaks down boundaries, allowing artists and communities to be innovative and collaborate in unique ways.

I chose “Can’t Be Broken” by Lil Wayne and “Can’t Sleep Love” by Pentatonix as examples to represent the theme of the readings this week. While very different from one another, these two songs are both very innovative and came to my mind when thinking about alternative imaginaries. “Can’t Be Broken” is unique for a rap song because of the bizarre, somewhat inconsistent beats used throughout the song and also the background vocals that come across as eery. “Can’t Sleep Love” is sung by an acapella group, which is clearly innovative in the sense that they are only using their voices and no instruments.

Individual Blog Post #4 – Tina Vo Nguyen

One on of the things that I thought was interesting was the term alternative imaginaries and how it artists can be inspired to do anything regardless of what others think and tell their own story about the world. One of the quotes in Quetzal imaginaries that really took with me was, “…He saw music as a mean to work for social justice as well as a form of creative expression.” Through music there has been a lot of intimate and important discussion about our political climate and how societal injustices in general and I think that’s a step forward to fixing the current problems we have in the U.S. You can see that through artists like Childish Gambino, Beyoncé and other famous artist sort of taking their platform and bringing light to heavy subjects that some people are so willingly ignoring. Examples of police brutality, mental illness, black lives matter etc are really sensitive topics and need to be talked about more.

The first song I chose is Logic’s song called, 1-800-273-8255 ft. Aleissa Cara and Khalid, a song about mental health and thoughts of suicide can be helped through the above hotline phone number. His song is very heart-wrenching and emotional to watch because it depicts a Black Male growing up knowing he is gay and having been ridiculed by classmates, friends and eventually being questioned by his father. When he is at his lowest he tries to take his life, but he hesitates an decides not to. He is later welcomed by an adviser who talks him through it and by the end he is getting married to the love of his life while his dad is proudly standing by him, supporting him with all his might. This story is relatable to a lot of individuals and provides a way to get help.

On-line Film Response-Rock, Rage and Self-Defense – Tina Vo Nguyen

Defending oneself from violence because of Mia Zapata’s rape and death brought upon this organization. A lot of the women felt really afraid that something like this can happen in their area. So, they decided to first start with meetings that really opened their fear and pain that they experienced.

Home Alive defined self-defense as providing victims with the voice to say no, empowerment essentially. It was a form to fight back physically as well as mentally.

Once they began to become organization there were some backlash from Mia Zapata friends saying that they were using her as a poster child to further their ideas. Also defining starting of as a women’s self-defense organization looked to some as anti-men and accepting other pre-op transgender and men were questioned by the public. Lara Kidoguchi said that violence goes past all these boundaries and so they were accepting of people.

Home Alive matters because it provided people who can’t afford these self-defense classes a way to feel safe and empowered. To ease that fair and to gain self-confidence and power. Seattle during that time was a really dangerous place, and violence happens everywhere everyday and so they wanted to bring this to attention and to fight back against it. The legacy of Home Alive is truly inspirational because it really focused on violence that can happen with a  loved one or a stranger and how they really wanted to unify the community. Bringing individuals to share their experiences and overcome it through self-defense.

If I were to make a documentary I would like to focus on Asian Americans in Seattle who were in the music business, because the presence of Asian American artists are always minimal and it feels like it doesn’t exist. However I’m sure it does and want to see some history and perspectives about artists who are Asian American in Seattle.

Online Film Response — Rock, Rage and Self-Defense, by Alex Alexander

Why did the Home Alive collective form?

The Home Alive collective formed in the early 1990s in Seattle after Mia from the band The Gits was raped and murdered. The 9 founders of Home Alive were connected to Mia in some way, and through their mourning they began to think about the importance of self defense is, and how it can be used to protect themselves in these types of situations. This organization formed organically as the founders merged their thoughts and ideas on how to fight this and spread awareness. This included spray painting walls in Seattle that stated statistics about rape and domestic violence, and running self-defense classes.

How did the Home Alive collective define self-defense?

They defined self-defense as being something that is not only physical, but something with a broad range of meanings. They designed their own curriculum that acknowledged self-defense as something that includes both martial arts and the act of protecting oneself, but also learning how to use our voice to say ‘no.’ This pushes against the norm of how society teaches us to be safe because a lot of it is victimizing. Self-defense is liberating and empowering for participants. It helps reinforce the idea that they are worth defending.

What are some of the issues and tensions the Home Alive collective faced once they became an organization?

They faced the issue of some people criticizing them for turning Mia into a ‘poster child.’ The founders are understanding of this criticism, because she was a big influence on their organization, but Home Alive is about the community as a whole as well and helping them protect themselves. There has also been the issue of consensus within the Home Alive founders on things such as the mission statement as well as in their decision making over the years.

Why does the work and approach of Home Alive matter? What is the organization’s legacy?

 It is important because it not only provides opportunity for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to protect themselves, but it is also a women-run and founded organization which is an empowering thing to see. It is still around today, and as founders have left and new volunteers have come in and made changes, the original mission has stayed the same. Even better, after 10 years Mia’s murderer was caught and locked up, giving at least some sort of ‘closure’ for the founders and those close to Mia.

This documentary emerged out of the oral histories that students conducted in the first version of this class in 2011. If you could make a documentary film on an artist, scene or music’s relationship to social activism, what would it be about? Why?

I think that a hip-hop artist who spoke about the issue of gun violence could be very influential. This is because a lot of hip-hop artists are heard romanticizing the idea of guns when really they should be talking about how problematic they can be when anyone has access to them. There are plenty of young people especially who need to be more educated on the issue.

Online Film Response, Rock, Rage and Self Defense – Hannah Nahyun Kim

The gits met and formed at Antioch College and soon formed into the group of “Home Alive”. As they mentioned the early lifestyles in Seattle is full of harm. Hearings of people dying, raped, and murdered. There was no organization or resources that helped people in society to learn how to defend themselves or stay safe. Self defense was a way of creating knowledge of taking care of yourself and staying safe. There was some tension as there were numerous people that did not approve of this organization/movement. The show that they put on was a big part of this act. And as years passed the original founders left, but legacy remains as members were keeping up with the same purpose and goal for this organization to stay active among the community. The motive for this organization was to help create awareness of safety among ourselves and others. If I could make a documentary film on an artist, scene or music’s relationship to social activism it would be about scene around feminism. The empowerment of women and their works in society today. As I grow older, I feel the motive to speak for the women around me, also taking this course is wanting me to appreciate the works among women and applaud their leadership/productions. Being a female myself, I would like to grow up among a society that accepts women all throughout regardless of their race or background. Making a documentary about this will come upon with more seriousness to the audience. Creating awareness and opening up new perspectives. Proving that men are not always going to be the head and dominant over the actions of women. Within creating this documentary, I think the role players would be important. The cast could make a bigger impact to the audience. Artists like Ariana Grande, Beyonce, or Rihanna would be eye catching in sending the message of feminism.

Individual Blog Post – Roberto Lopez

Roberto Lopez

Artists face many issues, but one that is specific is identity. For instance, we have LGBTQ artists still discovering about themselves. LQBTQ artists write music about their lifestyles and the hardships they all take. Beyonce is a great example because she had problems with relationships and her identity as an African American women in pop culture in the United States of America. In an article, To Live in the Borderlands means”, by “To live in the Borderlands means to put chile in the borscht, eat whole wheat tortillas, speak Tex-Mex with a Brooklyn accent; be stopped by la migra at the border checkpoints”, Gloria Anzaldua, states how to be in a world you must conform to the “Borderlands”. However, Beyonce does not want to be conformed to society and create her own way of life as should everyone. Her music tells us a story of what her life has given her hardships and how she grew to be a better African American activist and an African American women. 

Music URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeonBmeFR8o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyuUWOnS9BY

Critical Karaoke – Roberto Lopez

Roberto Lopez

I grew up in Spokane, Washington. My life was from ordinary. I have 4 siblings. Marcos Lopez, Alexandra Hernandez and Isaiah Hernandez. You’re probably wondering why introduce my siblings. Well none of them are full blood relatives. My mom is a special mom not any form of disability but of identity. My loving, full supporting mother is lesbian. My mom grew up segregated from family and lost friends because brainwashed people about religion and God who-knows what. My mom chose our fathers and gave birth and raised 4 loving children. She didn’t do it alone. I also had two moms. I always had to keep my home secret a lie. Life was always structural when I was younger always telling the teacher that I had a father and a mother when all in reality I had two mothers who did the same as a father or mother would do why does a man have to do different parental duties anyways. Never understood that. Life wasn’t always easy. Finding friends as I was growing was still rough because it was hard trying to explain to them I had two moms’ when I brought them over. The world was still conditioning to same sex lifestyles. Fast forwarding people thought since I was raised by a mother I was weak but more, so I feel stronger and wiser when it comes to some issues. I feel free to cry and I don’t feel no fear to talk about my feelings to someone. I was an amazing athlete and used to run for the big UW but then truly wanted to follow my passion and join the military. My brother Marcos the oldest by five years is a professional MMA fighter. My sister Alexandra and Isaiah are growing and finally discovering how the world truly is and was at a time. They’re growing to become very strong individuals. I’m forever grateful for my life and I will never reverse time to change anything.  

Critical Karaoke — Alex Alexander

“Where Is The Love?” By Black Eyed Peas

When I was 10 years old I remember riding in the car with my family trying to get pumped up for our basketball games. The Black Eyed Peas, with so many upbeat songs, would make up a large part of our playlist. Every song that came on was a hit. There was “Boom Boom Pow” and “Rockin to the Beat” and “Party All The Time,” but none of these hit me in the way that “Where is the Love?” did. As I danced and sang to this song, gradually learning the lyrics as I listened on repeat, the meaning behind their words began to resonate with me. Rather than singing repetitive verses without much meaning, I was being educated about the world we live in — in a very direct and confrontational way. When I came to realize what this song was about, I felt like I had experienced an awakening to the reality of our world and the fact that we are not beyond times of racism, violence or inequality.

As a child I appreciated this because they were being blunt and honest. It helped me understand the flaws of our world. It made me aware of the unlikeliness of world peace ever becoming a reality. But even beyond the deep messages within the song, the overall beat is so catchy. It pulls me in with the steady consistent beat that somehow flows perfectly throughout all of the rapping verses as well as the chorus. With this beat and informative lyrics, it is not surprising that I can still listen to this song over and over again without ever getting tired of it.

It was a powerful song all those years ago, and yet, today it somehow feels even more powerful. Perhaps this is because of my awareness of the problems facing our world. Or the fact that I am willing to face the reality of my own ignorance of many of these issues. But more than anything I am appreciative of how much this song forces me to reflect on myself and on society as a whole. It is a creation that is so important to me because it is exactly what most songs are not. My whole life I have been exposed to songs about sex, relationships, drugs, and alcohol – but it is not very often that I have come across songs that confront political and social issues.

The title of this song and the concept of love is significant because it can be interpreted in many ways. While most songs refer to love in relation to their family or significant other, this song talks about love in a more global, society-based sense. It has helped me imagine the ways that my actions influence others, and the importance of looking after one another. Spreading positive energy is important because there is so much evil that exists in the world, and a little bit of love can go a long way. The Black Eyed Peas are asking us what has happened to love? Because when it doesn’t exist, we are damaging not only our well-being, but also our world.

It is so important to ask questions, and the Black Eyed Peas ask many questions that I’m sure most of us have thought at some point. “Is the world insane?” “Can you practice what you’re preachin?” “What happened to the love and the values of humanity?” These are crucial things to be thinking about. I am grateful that I was exposed to this song at such a young age because it opened my mind to the reality of the world. It is when we question the world that we are able to imagine ways that we can create positive change.

The separation and coming together of the four Black Eyed Peas artists make for such a complete and beautiful song. They rap their own individual verses, but then come together for the chorus seamlessly, asking the question: “Where is the love?”. Without the context of their individual verses, this question would not have much meaning. But after rapping about “nations dropping bombs” and how “war is going on but the reasons undercover,” it forces us as listeners to reflect on the position we are in, and how we can do better. It is a song full of simple questions that are difficult to answer. Reflecting on the song today, one thing that would have made this song even stronger is if they had given Fergie a bigger role. It would have been empowering for women to hear Fergie voice some of her opinions about the injustices of society as well, rather than only hearing a man’s perspective.

With that being said, this song still moves me in a way that most songs cannot. It is special because it is timeless. Like they say, “we only got one world,” and what we do with it during our time here will have a huge impact on future generations.