Unsettled Diasporas

This abstract summarizes an audio recording from the "Unsettled Diasporas" panel discussion at the Auckland Zinefest, held on August 29, 2015, at the Pitt Street Methodist Church in Auckland. The panel focused on exploring Asian feminism through the local Asian feminist zine, Mellow Yellow, and was recorded over a 56-minute span. Meng Zhu Fu and Wai Ho were among the voices contributing to the vibrant conversation.

The discussion began with a contextual framing, reflecting on individual and collective experiences within the Asian diaspora, especially in relation to Maori culture and bicultural dialogues in Aotearoa New Zealand. A significant theme was the feeling of disconnect from one's ethnic background and the desire for solidarity within diaspora communities. This extends to shared experiences of being marginalized and the complexities of collective identity versus individualism, where one's actions can be seen as reflecting upon their family and wider ethnic group.

Participants shared personal stories of dealing with othering, alienation, and the search for belonging amidst multiple layers of identity. They wove in themes of intersectionality, touching upon the intricacies faced by mixed heritage individuals in New Zealand. The discussion surfaced anecdotes and reflections on the navigation of multiple identities and the sense of displacement that comes with being an 'other' in various social contexts.

Moreover, the panelists engaged in critical reflections on the language and accent, and the role it plays in shaping one's access to cultural acceptance and influence. They delved into the pressures of assimilation and the loss of language due, in part, to societal expectations to prioritize English, leading to a sense of loss and a desire to reconnect with their linguistic roots.

The conversation also touched upon Asian feminism and the ways participants encountered and engaged with feminist thought and activism. The non-hierarchical, personal nature of zine-making was highlighted as a powerful tool for consciousness-raising and personal-political expression. The challenges of white-dominated feminist spaces were brought to light, including the difficulties people of Asian descent face in finding reflective, self-determined spaces within these movements.

Additionally, the discussion went on to examine the complexity of being Asian in the context of housing issues and xenophobia in New Zealand. Acknowledging the country's colonial history, panelists conveyed the importance of standing in solidarity with indigenous communities, like the Maori, in housing and land struggles.

As a microcosm of broader societal issues, the recording encapsulates a candid dialogue on the lived experiences of Asian diaspora in Aotearoa New Zealand, encompassing themes of marginalization, racial dynamics, cultural heritage, feminism, and the pursuit of self-determination. The panel not only identified challenges but also shared strategies for resistance, cultural affirmation, and solidarity with other marginalized groups.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Meng Zhu Fu Wai Ho

2000s, 2010s, academia, academics, accent privilege, accents, activism, alienation, ancestors, aotearoa new zealand, asian, auckland, auckland city library, auckland zinefest (2015), biculturalism, blogs, chandra mohanty, china, chinese, classism, colonisation, culture, english language, family, feminism, foreshore and seabed act (2004), gayatri spivak, gender identity, housing, housing crisis, identity, india, indigenous peoples, injustice, internet, intersectionality, judith butler, language, malaysia, marginalisation, mellow yellow (zine), meng zhu fu, microaggression, microresistance, migrants, māori, naming, neoliberalism, oppression, other, othering, pakeha, parents, people of colour, pitt street methodist church, poll tax, power, privilege, privilege rating scale, race, racism, reclaim the night, self determination, sexual orientation, shakti new zealand, shame, singapore, social justice, south asian feminisms, tamaki housing group, tangata whenua, tino rangatiratanga, tiriti o waitangi / treaty of waitangi, transphobia, un world conference on women (nairobi, 1985), wai ho, whitewash, women, xenophobia, youth, zines

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