Todd Wong and Donald Law – photo Sam King/ Todd Wong
Author Archives: Todd
CUPE 391: Ross with cowboy hat, Janis with child in stroller, Electra with tutu, Sophie with hand bag – photo T. Wong
Toddish McWong carrying a CUPE flag in the Pride Parade – photo E. Harris for T.Wong collection
Pride parade '07… Does this guy think he is supposed to be Chinese? He isn't short enough! photo T. Wong
CUPE 391 Pride parade participants… Janis (front), Ross, Catherine, Todd and Electra – photo T. Wong collection
CALL FOR POEMS: “SEVEN FOR '07”
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CALL FOR
POEMS: “SEVEN FOR '07“
POEMS: “SEVEN FOR '07“
Chris Lee of the UBC English Department is heading up the call for poems to help recognize the Anniversaries of Change project that is drawing attention to significant events in Asian Canadian history from 1907, 1947, 1967 and 1997. The catalyst for these historic events is the 100th anniversary of the September 8th, Chinatown Riots by the Anti-Asiatic League.
Vancouver has come a long way from a small pioneer town on the edge of civilization, to become a bustling global city that celebrates ethnic and cultural diversity that no other city in Canada can match. Vancouver was one of the entry points for Asian immigration to Canada, and thus was also a lightning rod for Anti-Asian or anti-immigration sentiment.
A call for poetry to celebrate the historic event, and to recognize how far we have come, is a worthy project that will help bring contemporary insight to historical hindsight, combined with artistic creativity. Okay… I admit… I had a hand (or rather some brain cells) in helping to spark this creative project. Hope you can help out… write a poem… tell you poet friends…
CALL FOR POEMS: “SEVEN FOR '07”
2007
Anniversaries of Change is a broad-based coalition of
institutions and
organizations that have come together to mark 2007 as
an anniversary year in
the quest for equality and justice in
Canada.
The years 1907, 1947, 1967, and 1997 each mark a watershed moment
in
the history of Asian migrants in Canada and their struggles to
fight
discrimination and oppression. These anniversaries not only call for
historical reflection, but also offer
opportunities to renew ongoing
efforts in anti-racism.
Anniversaries of Change is a broad-based coalition of
institutions and
organizations that have come together to mark 2007 as
an anniversary year in
the quest for equality and justice in
Canada.
The years 1907, 1947, 1967, and 1997 each mark a watershed moment
in
the history of Asian migrants in Canada and their struggles to
fight
discrimination and oppression. These anniversaries not only call for
historical reflection, but also offer
opportunities to renew ongoing
efforts in anti-racism.
On September 8,
2007, there will be an all-day public event at the
Vancouver Public Library
Central Branch that will include panels,
displays, multimedia, and performing
arts. We are currently soliciting
short poems (maximum 20 lines) from local
writers addressing the
themes of this year of anniversaries. Please note:
Writers do not have
be of Asian descent and submissions do not have to
directly address
the historical events being commemorated. We are seeking
entries that
can, in conjunction with other community events, creatively
provoke
reflection on the current state of diversity and justice in
Vancouver
and British Columbia.
Seven poems will be chosen and circulated in the following
ways: (1)
large wall-size posters of each poem will be produced and displayed
in
the VPL atrium on September 8; (2) smaller posters with all seven
poems will be printed and widely distributed as
part of commemorative
activities in the fall. We will extend a token
honorarium to each
writer chosen to participate in Seven for '07.
Please email entries to
instrcc.events@gmail.com by August 9,
2007.
Please attach entries in either .pdf or .rtf formats and ensure
that
no identifying notes or markers are included in the file. In the
body
of the email, please provide the following information: name,
address,
telephone number, contact email, and a short (maximum 40 words)
biographical
statement. After a blind review process, chosen writers
will be contacted in
order to arrange publication details.
For more information about Seven for '
07 please contact Chris Lee (UBC
Department of
English) at leechr@interchange.ubc.ca. More
information
about the Anniversaries of Change can be found on
www.anniversaries07.ca.
Thank you for your interest!
Toddish McWong in Vancouver's Pride Parade
Toddish McWong in Vancouver's Pride Parade
Toddish McWong finds a fellow kilt wearer at the Vancouver Pride Parade – photo E. Harris/T. Wong collection
I had never ever before attended Vancouver's Pride Parade, let alone actually be in the parade.
But I admit… I'd thought about it before.
Each year Vancouver Library Workers union CUPE 391 participates in the Pride parade. This year, I thought it would be good to go out and join fellow co-workers – especially during the strike.
While I am straight… I have supported Gay-Lesbian issues on a number of community fronts, especially in my past roles with student newspapers, when I once was a regional human rights coordinator for Western Region, Canadian University Press.
It was good fun walking with fellow Vancouver library workers, some I have known for years and years, and some whom I met brand new. One librarian had only worked four shifts with VPL, before we went on strike, and yet she still came out to join the CUPE 391 delegation for the Pride Parade.
We met on Robson Street, with other CUPE locals and other unions. Our parade number was 31, just behind the official City of Vancouver delegation with the mayor and other city councillors at number 27.
While past library participants had created the now legendary “book buggy brigade” in which they took book trucks and wheeled them in formations similar to the RCMP musical ride… we simply walked along with the group flow. Ross danced along waving the CUPE BC flag. Electra held out bubbles for children to blow. It was a parade. It was a happy time. And it was good to be able to participate.
Afterwards, somebody asked me if I was afraid that people who saw me in the parade might think that I was gay. I said I wasn't. The parade is about celebrating diversity… well more sexual diversity rather than ethnic or cultural diversity. But is still about diversity, human rights and respect.
Maybe next year will see an official Gung Haggis Fat Choy parade entry. I have put a Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat float in the first three years of Vancouver's St. Patrick's parade, since the Celtic Fest Vancouver people originally asked me to be involved as a way of helping the parade be multicultural. Hmmm… a dragon boat float in the Pride parade? Since 1997, I have coached gay paddlers and lesbian paddlers on my teams. Do you think Vancouver is ready to handle a parade entry full of “Dragon Boat Queens?”
Toddish McWong carrying a CUPE flag in the Pride Parade – photo E. Harris for T.Wong collection
see my Pride pictures at:
http://www.flickr.com/phot
Redress Express comes to Centre A – bringing art and examination about Canada's racist past
Redress Express comes to Centre A – bringing art and examination about Canada's racist past
What is the Redress Express, and what does it have to do with racism?
2007 is a significant year for anniversaries in Asian-Canadian history:
1907 – 100 year anniversary of the Chinatown riots by the Anti-Asiatic League
1947 – the end of the Chinese Exclusion Act and the beginning of franchise rights including voting for Canadians of Chinese ancestry.
1957 – Canada's first Chinese-Canadian MP elected to Parliament – Douglas Jung
1967 – Changes in immigration law, making it more fair and accessible for Chinese immigrants.
1997 – Hong Kong turnover to China
1996 – 1st year anniversary of federal apology and promise of redress payments for the Chinese Head Tax.
Centre A, brings together an exciting program working with community groups and artists. Here is what Ron Mah had to say about the weekend's events.
Redress Express Symposium ( 01 & 02 August )
– Victor Wong had an excellent talk on Head Tax & Redress
titled “True Grits, Kwan Gung and Luck: The Inside Stories of the Head Tax Redress Campaign”
– Many excellent national speakers of academia and the arts provided
varied views from many perspectives providing an
interesting program.
– filming of the first day was done by both ACCESS, FEARLESS TV
and also by the Symposium.
-Henry Yu, graciously, organized a delicious 10 course Retro period
Chinese Canadian Restaurant Dinner. Fortunately, I was sitting next to Henry and Karin Tam who were also at the same table. They had both researched and provided the chefs with the specific customized dishes that is not normally on their menus. It was fun, filling and informative.
-Centre A is now transformed into a retro Chinese Canadian Restaurant for
the next 5 weeks by Karen Tam but no food is served. This is a must see
free installation.
-Karin Lee's Friday evening outdoor showing at the Chinese Night Market was just
starting and I saw myself for a brief second in the short produced by
the women's dragon boat team Genesis.
-Sean & I networked and partied till 2am and 3am until Karen Tam had to
catch her 6am flight back home to Montreal. The Saturday night party was
great: lots of fun and jamming and all round opportunity for future collaboration with the whole group.
-Thanks to Alice Ming Wai Jim, Henry Yu and Victor Wong for making this happen for us.
– Sid Chow Tan is now an “Artist”
after his brief 5 minute talk & 10 minute video presentatsion of the journey of Head Tax Redress; Hank Bull (curator plus) stated that “If Sid's video isn't art, then I don't know what is!”– Victor Wong had an excellent talk on Head Tax & Redress
titled “True Grits, Kwan Gung and Luck: The Inside Stories of the Head Tax Redress Campaign”
– Many excellent national speakers of academia and the arts provided
varied views from many perspectives providing an
interesting program.
– filming of the first day was done by both ACCESS, FEARLESS TV
and also by the Symposium.
-Henry Yu, graciously, organized a delicious 10 course Retro period
Chinese Canadian Restaurant Dinner. Fortunately, I was sitting next to Henry and Karin Tam who were also at the same table. They had both researched and provided the chefs with the specific customized dishes that is not normally on their menus. It was fun, filling and informative.
-Centre A is now transformed into a retro Chinese Canadian Restaurant for
the next 5 weeks by Karen Tam but no food is served. This is a must see
free installation.
-Karin Lee's Friday evening outdoor showing at the Chinese Night Market was just
starting and I saw myself for a brief second in the short produced by
the women's dragon boat team Genesis.
-Sean & I networked and partied till 2am and 3am until Karen Tam had to
catch her 6am flight back home to Montreal. The Saturday night party was
great: lots of fun and jamming and all round opportunity for future collaboration with the whole group.
-Thanks to Alice Ming Wai Jim, Henry Yu and Victor Wong for making this happen for us.
from the Centre A website:
REDRESS EXPRESS
In conjunction with:
2007 Anniversaries of Change (http://www.anniversaries07.ca)
Powell Street Festival (August 4-5, 2007, http://powellstfestival.shinnova.com)
explorASIAN (Vancouver Asian Heritage Month, http://www.explorasian.org).
Patron: Anndraya T. Luui
EXHIBITION
Date: August 3 to September 1, 2007
Venue: Centre A, 2 West Hastings Street
Opening: Friday, August 3, 7pm, Centre A, 2 West Hastings Street
SYMPOSIUM
Date: August 2-3, 2007, 10am to 5pm
Location: Chinese Cultural Centre, 555 Columbia Street
Co-sponsors:
Gail & Stephen A. Jarislowsky Institute for Studies in Canadian Art
at the Department of Art History, Concordia University, the University
of British Columbia, and Emily Carr Institute for Art + Design + Media
(Click here to download the symposium program and abstracts)
Free admission
The
exhibition “REDRESS EXPRESS: Chinese Restaurants and the Head Tax Issue
in Canadian Art” features recent photography, video and installations
by five Chinese-Canadian artists: Gu Xiong (Vancouver), Shelly Low
(Montreal), Ho Tam (Victoria, BC), Karen Tam (Montreal), and Kira Wu
(Vancouver). It is held in conjunction with the two-day symposium
“REDRESS EXPRESS: Current Directions in Asian Canadian Art and Culture”
which brings together over twenty scholars, community activists,
cultural organizers, and artists from many disciplines to consider
current and future directions in Asian Canadian art and culture. The
REDRESS EXPRESS project is curated by Alice Ming Wai Jim and
accompanied by a colour catalogue with additional graphic illustrations
by Joanne Hui (Montreal).
As a whole, the REDRESS EXPRESS
project is an attempt to examine the current politics of
representation, redress and recognition in Canada as they relate to
art, activism, identity and geography. The call for redress has long
been the bookends for Asian Canadian critiques of Canada's racist past.
The recent victory of the redress campaign for surviving Chinese head
tax payers and their spouses and its inevitable effects on the current
politics of reparation and representation in this country, however,
presents another challenge: to ensure an ongoing, rigorous treatment
these issues demand in political, cultural and educational sectors.
With the host of 2007 anniversaries of historical dates significant to
Canadians and Asian Canadian communities in particular celebrated this
year, this provision of critical texts in contemporary discourse and
practice and the broadening of understanding to address cross-cultural
perspectives and realities remains imperative.
Olivia Chow speaking in Vancouver on immigration issues with Don Davies
Olivia Chow speaking in Vancouver on immigration issues with Don Davies
This comes to me from Meena Wong:
An evening with MP Olivia Chow:
To listen and to discuss with community
issues facing immigrant families
You are cordially invited to the Panel Discussion and Dinner
Reception hosted by Vancouver Kingsway federal candidate Don
Davies for Member of Parliament Olivia Chow.
The Panel Discussion will be on issues concerning immigrant families in the
areas of childcare, senior care, family reunification, employment,
entrepreneurship. Panelists will be drawn from immigrant services
agencies such as SUCCESS, Civic Education Society, BC
Internationally Trained Professionals Network and from the
Chinese media.
Come hear what MP Chow and MP candidate Davies think about
these issues and help them understand your views and opinions. There will be
also a Question and Answer period from the audience at the end of Panel
Discussion. Dinner reception and mingle will follow afterwards.
Panelists:
Olivia Chow Member
of Parliament
Don Davies
Vancouver Kingsway federal candidate
Ken
Tung Chair of
the board of directors, SUCCESS
Virginia Chiu
Director,
Civic Education Society
Patrick Coady
Coordinator,
BC Internationally Trained
Professionals Network;
Executive Director, Association of International
Medical Doctors of BC
Jerome Yau
Managing editor, Fairchild TV News
Andy Cheung
Program editor and Phone-in talk show host,
CHMB AM1320
Tina
Song Reporter,
Global Chinese Press
Date:
Aug, 7, 2007 Tuesday
Time:
5 pm Reception
5:30 pm Panel Discussion
6:30 pm Question and Answer from audience
6:45 pm Buffet dinner
Venue:
Fantastic Restaurant, 3309 Kingsway,
Vancouver , just
east
of Joyce St
on the north side of Kingsway.
Fee:
FREE
Public from the Vancouver
area are welcome to attend. Please RSVP with Meena Wong at 604-603-7447 or meena@cope.bc.ca (limited seating, please book
early)
Olivia Chow with Vancouver head tax descendants: ??, Mary, Ron, Olivia, Sid Tan, Faye Leung, Todd Wong (sitting) Sid Wong, Sean Gunn, Victor Wong + head tax activist Mary-Woo Sims – photo Todd Wong collection