May 2012 Archives

You can see the published version at this link and read the poem and the story behind it below:

No matter how hard I try to deny a part of me or tell myself I am more American, I cannot ignore my roots in Laos. I was putting together an icebreaker activity for work and was inspired to write this poem. It's something I just wrote in 20 minutes-rough, rough, rough draft. Plus, every year around Lao Pimai, I always get a burst of Lao pride.

I Am From Laos

I am from water buffaloes,
from muddy rice fields and sun-burned backs.
I am from the wooden huts, stilted and dusty.
I am from a million elephants, ten thousand rice fields,
from twelve powerful lords and their slaves.
I am from prehistoric stone jars that once stored rice wine for giants.
I am from more than sixty ethnic groups,
from the highlands, midlands, and lowlands.
I am from dok champa, the flower from my father's garden,
whose sweet scent I savor.

I am from shaved heads and orange robes,
from Three Noble Disciplines, Four Noble Truths, and Five Precepts.
I am from the Mekong River, lively and strong.
I am from sticky rice, papaya salad, beef jerky,
from ant egg soup and fermented fish sauce.
I am from the boat festival, rocket festival, and harvest festival.
I am from the alms that I give to each baht,
from the belief that what I give I shall receive in return.
I am from the boun, merit-making ceremonies and the baci,
whose strings I wear around my wrists.

I am from Laos.

Join Chicano Studies students for this impressive and important presentation and interactive exhibit focusing on how immigration policies impact lives of many people who live in our community.

This FRIDAY May 11th, 11am-8pm
Presentations at 12 pm and 3 pm
Panel at 12:30

Great Hall, Coffman Memorial Union

GWSS 3307 Feminist Film Studies
Rebels,Outcasts, and Freaks
Summer II: 2012 Mon-Thurs1:25-4:35pm

In critical discourse, "the abject" symbolizes the state of marginalized populations, in particular those marked bygender, race, class, sex, and bodily non-normativity. This course will examine films that manipulate themes and tropes of rebellion, freakishness and the notion of the outcast across cinematic genres. While many of these films present "unrealistic" settings, storylines, and characters, they nevertheless comment critically on very "real" socio-politics and are at times characterized by a commitment to social justice and strong cultural critique.Through the lens of intersectional feminism, we will unpack how abject representations of gender, race, class, sex, and corporeality emerge as part of a critical discourse on power and a politics of difference.

Films include:

I Spit on Your Grave, Eraserhead, Pink Flamingos, TankGirl, Foxy Brown and more. Films will be accompanied by readings from critical race, transnational, queer, and feminist studies.

Each year the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence hosts the Multicultural Kickoff, a two day event which helps first-year students make a successful transition to college by building community and identifying academic and cultural supports on campus. Typically 300-400 incoming first year students attend this event and are in small groups led by current student leaders.

This year the event is being held on Tuesday, August 28 and Wednesday August 29 and we will need a lot of help to make it a success. That is where you come in! We are looking for students who will be available to help with a variety of activities during the Kickoff - everything from helping with setup, to working with students, to assisting with the resource fair, etc. If you are interested in volunteering for any portion of time, we would like to obtain your contact information now before the semester ends and then in August, we will email you to let you know the times, locations, exact duties, etc.

If you are interested in volunteering and will be available to come to campus is late August, please sign up using this Google Form: MKO Volunteer Interest Form

What is MCAE?
https://diversity.umn.edu/multicultural/

What is the Multicultural Kickoff?
https://diversity.umn.edu/multicultural/multiculturalkickoff

Questions? Please contact Jasmine Omorogbe
Coordinator of Events and Campus-Community Partnerships
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence
http://www.mcae.umn.edu // 612.625.2875

Wednesday, May 23
9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
3rd Floor Science Teaching and Student Services Building (STSS)

This intensive seminar will equip you to search for a job in a recovering economy. Get the scoop on how to conduct a creative job search, craft an outstanding resume and interview effectively. Gain LinkedIn knowledge and networking tips from Judy Zimmer, an engaging and candid effectiveness coach. Plus - practice networking with actual employers!

This is a special event for all U of M, Twin Cities seniors and recent grads who are serious about their job search. (You can attend if your graduation date is between December 2011 and August 2012).

$10 to participate and lunch is included.

Registration is required - sign up via GoldPASS at http://goldpass.umn.edu - click on "Career Events" and search for "What Now". Carlson students please register via The Edge.

Questions? Contact your college career center or Emily Loudon, at 612-626-4482.