Open Letter - Kevin Loring to Ex Machina
Attn: Artistic Leadership of Ex Machina and Theatre Du Soleil,
I am speaking to you as an Indigenous Theatre Artist in Canada.
It is with great concern and disappointment that I am writing you to address the issues arising from your production of Kanata that will run in New York and Paris in the coming months. Billed as “the history of Canada through the prism of relations between Whites and Natives,” it appears that the truth of this production is that it is in fact an analog for the relationship between “Whites” and the Indigenous Peoples of this land. Having read about the process that lead up this production in Le Devoir and hearing accounts from Indigenous artists and leaders who took part in the consultation process I can only conclude that this process was deeply flawed.
Nothing about us without us
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Politics - Civil Discourse
Politics - Civil Discourse
First he came for Mexicans,
Then he came for Muslims,
Then he came for Women,
THen he came for a Disabled Reporter,
Then he came for Gold Star Families,
Then he came for Trans Troops,
Then he came for NFL Players,
Then he came for Africa,
Then he came for the Chinese Economy,
Then he came for Canadian Neighbours,
Then he put children in internment camps.
Then he put children. In Internment Camps.
Then he put MORE children in Internment Camps.
Then they drugged children in Internment Camps.
Then they sexually abused children in internment camps.
Then they lost children from internment camps.
Now he says we have lost the art of 'civil discourse'.
First he came for Mexicans,
Then he came for Muslims,
Then he came for Women,
THen he came for a Disabled Reporter,
Then he came for Gold Star Families,
Then he came for Trans Troops,
Then he came for NFL Players,
Then he came for Africa,
Then he came for the Chinese Economy,
Then he came for Canadian Neighbours,
Then he put children in internment camps.
Then he put children. In Internment Camps.
Then he put MORE children in Internment Camps.
Then they drugged children in Internment Camps.
Then they sexually abused children in internment camps.
Then they lost children from internment camps.
Now he says we have lost the art of 'civil discourse'.
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Writing - On Politics: Yesterday Today
Writing - On Politics: Yesterday Today
I listened as they called my President a Muslim.
I listened as they called him and his family a pack of monkeys.
I listened as they said he wasn't born here.
I watched as they blocked every single path to progress that they could.
I saw the pictures of him as Hitler.
I watched them shut down the government and hurt the entire nation twice.
I watched them turn their backs on every opportunity to open worthwhile dialog.
I watched them say that they would not even listen to any choice for Supreme Court no matter who the nominee was.
I listened as they openly said that they will oppose him at every turn.
I watched as they did just that.
I listened.
I watched.
I paid attention.
Now, I'm being called on to be tolerant.
To move forward.
To denounce protesters.
To "Get over it."
To accept this...
I will not.
I listened as they called my President a Muslim.
I listened as they called him and his family a pack of monkeys.
I listened as they said he wasn't born here.
I watched as they blocked every single path to progress that they could.
I saw the pictures of him as Hitler.
I watched them shut down the government and hurt the entire nation twice.
I watched them turn their backs on every opportunity to open worthwhile dialog.
I watched them say that they would not even listen to any choice for Supreme Court no matter who the nominee was.
I listened as they openly said that they will oppose him at every turn.
I watched as they did just that.
I listened.
I watched.
I paid attention.
Now, I'm being called on to be tolerant.
To move forward.
To denounce protesters.
To "Get over it."
To accept this...
I will not.
Friday, June 8, 2018
Tragedy - Anthony Bourdain
Tragedy - Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain.
I watched a lot of his shows, and I thought that one of the best things about him was how he talked honestly, and passionately about elevating the idea of experiencing culture and other humans. He talked about travel, about living, and about listening.
I really can't overstate just how incredibly 'honest' Bourdain was on his traveling shows. He chose to explore and engage, and fearlessly try things without portraying himself as having 'discovered' customs. He went off the beaten path. It wasn't about 'tourism', it wasn't about self-gratification of himself as a tourist.
It was about meeting people, hugging people, smoking with people. It was about talking and going over things he himself loved and hated, what things offended him, and why that might've been legitimate or awful. How he responded to things that were frightening or strange, and why more often than not they actually weren't.
It's a tragedy, and a reminder that you can 'have it all' but the insidious nature of depression, mental illness, and suicide means little in the face of that. We need to find more ways to engage, encourage, and uplift one another. We need to find better ways to protect the people that need protecting.
Rest in Peace Bourdain.
Anthony Bourdain.
I watched a lot of his shows, and I thought that one of the best things about him was how he talked honestly, and passionately about elevating the idea of experiencing culture and other humans. He talked about travel, about living, and about listening.
I really can't overstate just how incredibly 'honest' Bourdain was on his traveling shows. He chose to explore and engage, and fearlessly try things without portraying himself as having 'discovered' customs. He went off the beaten path. It wasn't about 'tourism', it wasn't about self-gratification of himself as a tourist.
It was about meeting people, hugging people, smoking with people. It was about talking and going over things he himself loved and hated, what things offended him, and why that might've been legitimate or awful. How he responded to things that were frightening or strange, and why more often than not they actually weren't.
It's a tragedy, and a reminder that you can 'have it all' but the insidious nature of depression, mental illness, and suicide means little in the face of that. We need to find more ways to engage, encourage, and uplift one another. We need to find better ways to protect the people that need protecting.
Rest in Peace Bourdain.
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Tragedy - Gaza, May 14, 2018
Tragedy - Gaza, May 14, 2018
Bilal Badeer Hussein Al-Ashram, 18 years old
Nasser Ahmed Mahmoud Ghrab, 51 years old
Omar Jomaa Abu Ful, 30 years old
Talal Adel Ibrahim Mattar, 16 years old
Mohamed Samir Duwedar, 27 years old
Abdelsalam Yousef Abdelwahab, 39 years old
Ali Mohamed Ahmed Khafajah, 21 years old
Mahmoud Saber Hamad Abu Taeemah, 23 years old
Kamil Jihad Kamil Mihna, 19 years old
Bilal Badeer Hussein Al-Ashram, 18 years old
Nasser Ahmed Mahmoud Ghrab, 51 years old
Omar Jomaa Abu Ful, 30 years old
Talal Adel Ibrahim Mattar, 16 years old
Mohamed Samir Duwedar, 27 years old
Abdelsalam Yousef Abdelwahab, 39 years old
Ali Mohamed Ahmed Khafajah, 21 years old
Mahmoud Saber Hamad Abu Taeemah, 23 years old
Kamil Jihad Kamil Mihna, 19 years old
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Childish Gambino - This Is America (Official Video)
This is on repeat, not because I love the song, although I have tremendous respect for it, but because the video has me riveted and I cannot look away. I can't NOT bear witness.
Friday, March 30, 2018
Quotes - Kimchi and Cool
Quotes - Kimchi and Cool
“I see a lot of white guys making Korean food, and I’ll be honest, it pisses the shit out of me, because it’s everywhere now: kimchi this, kimchi that. I’m like, ‘You weren’t ostracized in elementary school because everyone thought, when they visited your house, it smelled like garbage.’ They didn’t have to endure emotional hardship, and now it’s cool.” — Chang, Ugly Delicious "Fried Chicken"
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)