Inspiration: Why We Rise (Short Documentary)
Very powerful story about the realities of immigration status that looks beyond the media’s boxed view of what it means to be undocumented.
Inspiration
Inspiration: Richie Le – Vietnam (What It’s Like) Music Video
RICHIE LE – VIETNAM (WHAT IT’S LIKE) MUSIC VIDEO
I spoke w/ my little bro Richie Le last night and told him the best part about this song is the authenticity of HIS story. While I am sure his song and video will touch people in ways neither of us can imagine, I am happy to share. I remember how excited he, his family, girlfriend, friends and myself were about him going to Vietnam for the first time. I remember gchatting him while he was there and the stories he told upon his return. I saw how the trip changed his outlook on the world and his life.
Years ago we often had conversations about the lack of SE Asian history taught to us in school, and thought about what a void that left when it came to younger generations understanding and embracing their own identities. I salute the teachers, storytellers, videographers, artists, college organizations, professors, non-profits, and the small businesses who continue to build on the foundation left for us. To those who continue to tell the stories not told in our history books. Thank you for sharing your many stories with the world! Thank you Richie Le for sharing THIS story with the world!
-AmbassadorNique
Inspiration: Smoking Kid (Thailand)
This is old, but its new to me! A great reminder of the importance of digital story telling. Sometimes how we present information is just as important as the information we are presenting. Around the world the innocence of a child’s future and the universal language of love hold greater priority than almost anything else on this planet. I hope we are doing our part to not only take care of their futures, but our own. Enjoy the Seattle sunshine. -AmbassadorNique
#Inspiration — First Days Project: Sharing stories from South Asians about their first day in the U.S.
This project is definitely one that inspires me! I was able to have a conversation with one of the creators and we spoke about the void of the storytelling that gets passed down in communities of color. The project asks participants to tell a story about their first day in America. These stories are told through text, voice, and video. The project focuses on primary South Asians, but I would love to do a similar project. There is an organization called Densho in Seattle that does something very similar collecting stories about the experiences of Japanese Americans in internment camps during WWII. They also attached curriculum for schools to discuss these issues. Stay tuned, as I build!
-AmbassadorNique
#Inspiration Mass Incarceration in the US (Video)
This was pretty awesome! In short… THESE are the types of videos that I would like to create. It is hard to argue facts. If we can figure out how to turn PhD publications into 3 minute videos like this, I believe we could see changes in social justice policies and society very quickly. Long publications are still needed, but what good is knowledge if the people who need it most do not have access to it, or cannot understand it? Along with these videos, I would also like to find ways to allow undeserved individuals (both in and out of the criminal justice system) to tell their own stories. One day closer.
My Beloved World – US Supreme Court Chief Justice Sonia Sotomayor
On Monday, March 10, 2014 I was able to hear United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speak about her life and brand new memoir My Beloved World at the University of Washington’s HUB Ballroom. The event was packed. She gave us many words and lessons to live by and showed us what a world class leader looks like. Although I’m already halfway through her book I really wanted a signed copy. They ran out of copies, but guess who’s face showed up the morning after in the Seattle Times! 😉
-AmbassadorNique
#Inspiration: I, Too, Am Harvard
Since #BBM (and probably way before that…) many black student organizations have been speaking out about their own personal experiences and institutional racism on University campuses across the US. While some may brush these observations to the side and label them complaining, I believe that these movements do a great job of telling authentic stories of being a minority at a college institution. Furthermore these stories speak to larger issue’s highlighting the importance of a diverse curriculum and the importance of a diverse faculty that most school lack.
I am always inspired by storytelling and the different ways narratives are told. I will continue to learn and share my findings. Enjoy the video.
AmbassadorNique
AmbassadorNique 