Archive for the ‘Racism in the U.S.A.’ Category
2024 August 10, updated August 15, 16
Blog post updated September 9, 2024 by Teresa Jade LeYung, 2018 alumna of A PLACE OF HER OWN
Cynthia Tom, founding director of A PLACE OF HER OWN, says:
Join our Closing Celebration on September 15, 2024 from 12pm-3pm as we lift and are lifted by the collective and individual strength from our PLACE artists! They have wholeheartedly embraced the full spectrum of emotions, from discomfort to joy, fostering new connections and personal growth — all for you to witness in real time through this found-object based art exhibition.
Our close friend and dear supporter of PLACE, Ravi Chandra MD also wrote a great piece about the show titled, “Intergenerational Trauma and Ancestral Pattern Shifting” on Psychology Today you must check out when you have the chance!
That being said, come to our final festivities, invite your friends and family and be inspired with this exhibition one last time!
Sept 15, 2024 Closing Celebration: Gallery 12– 3pm
Location: J-SEI Cultural Center, 1285 66th St, Emeryville, CA 94608 USA
Artists include: Ahran Lee, Amy Lam, AVOTCJA, Christina Yu, Christine Yang, Cueponcaxochitl Moreno Sandoval, Cynthia Tom, Deborah Santana, Emily Yamauchi, Frances Cachapero, Irene Wibawa, Jazz Diaz, Julie Lee Andersen, Katie Quan, Manon Wada with Sanié Bokhari, Martha Zamora, PAZ, Purla Montiel, Reyna Daudian, Shari Arai DeBoer, Tomo Hirai, Yeujin Yoon, Zaina Rose
Intergenerational Trauma and Ancestral Pattern Shifting
Healing intergenerational trauma through art
Ravi Chandra M.D., D.F.A.P.A.
The Pacific Heart
updated August 21, 2024 Reviewed by Michelle Quirk
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bonjour everyone!
I cheer for Cynthia Tom and everyone connected to Cynthia’s programs and events !
August 11 – September 15, 2024
A PLACE OF HER OWN
found-object based art Exhibition
Founder of A PLACE OF HER OWN / Teacher / Artist / Curator CYNTHIA TOM says:
August 11 – September 15, 2024
A PLACE OF HER OWN Exhibition
You are invited to view this found-object based art exhibition. PLACE multi-ethnic, multi-generational alumni artists share their healing journeys and the art created in answer to the question, “If you had a place of your own, what would it be?”
Using found objects, their intuition and self-agency, they create works that speak to their healing journeys, imperfect, messy and gloriously full of epiphanies.
Co-curated by Cynthia Tom and Jillie Andersen
August 11. Opening: Gallery 12-5 pm Recep 1pm – 4pm
August 18. Artist Talk: Gallery 12-5 pm/ Talk 1pm – 4pm
Sept 15. Closing Celebration: Gallery 12– 3pm
Location: JSEI at 1285 66th St, Emeryville, CA 94608
Artists include: Ahran Lee, Amy Lam, AVOTCJA, Christina Yu, Christine Yang, Cueponcaxochitl Moreno Sandoval, Cynthia Tom, Deborah Santana, Emily Yamauchi, Frances Cachapero, Irene Wibawa, Jazz Diaz, Julie Lee Andersen, Katie Quan, Manon Wada with Sanié Bokhari, Martha Zamora, PAZ Zamora, Purla Montiel, Reyna Daudian, Shari Arai DeBoer, Tomo Hirai, Yeujin Yoon, Zaina Berger
https://www.aplaceofherown.org/newsevents/save-the-date-a-place-of-her-own-exhibition
Cynthia Tom receives a 2024 WOMAN WARRIOR Award from Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition.
Hearty congratulations to Cynthia Tom and all the award recipients.
Ceremony to be held on September 22, 2024 at Hotel Kabuki – JDV by Hyatt, 1625 Post Street San Francisco, CA 94115
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-woman-warrior-awards-tickets-949421303677
Pacific Asian American Women Bay Area Coalition says:
“Join us as we honor six local Asian Pacific Islander women for their lasting contributions to the API community and notable career achievements. First bestowed in 1983, PAAWBAC is excited to carry on this tradition of recognizing accomplished API women as modern-day Woman Warriors — talented and courageous — as they distinguish themselves in their respective fields, while giving back to others.”
I cheer for Cynthia Tom and everyone connected to Cynthia’s programs, events, exhibitions !!!
A Place of Her Own 2018 Alumna / Story Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung
wishes Everyone – Beauty, Total Wellness, Peace and Joy!
Published author, blogger, lover of Paris, FRANCE, photo historian, Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says:
“I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”
https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog
Love Made Of Heart ®
“Celebrating Artist, Curator, Activist, Teacher CYNTHIA TOM and Everyone Connected to Cynthia’s A Place Of Her Own™”
August 2024 News:
Thank you, Flo Oy Wong of Asian American Women Artists Association https://www.aawaa.net/, for sharing wonderful news:
Cynthia Tom https://www.aplaceofherown.org/ receives a 2024 WOMAN WARRIOR Award from Pacific Asian American Woman Bay Area Coalition.
Hearty congratulations to Cynthia Tom and all the award recipients.
Ceremony to be held on September 22, 2024 at Hotel Kabuki – JDV by Hyatt, 1625 Post Street San Francisco, CA 94115
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-woman-warrior-awards-tickets-949421303677
Pacific Asian American Woman Bay Area Coalition says:
“Join us as we honor six local Asian Pacific Islander women for their lasting contributions to the API community and notable career achievements. First bestowed in 1983, PAAWBAC is excited to carry on this tradition of recognizing accomplished API women as modern-day Woman Warriors — talented and courageous — as they distinguish themselves in their respective fields, while giving back to others.”
https://www.paawbac.org/woman-warriors-main
Artist Cynthia Tom says:
“My paintings are a form of visual meditations for me and I hope they can do the same for you.
“Each piece is created intuitively. It begins with a spark of an idea and allowed to evolve in its own time, even the title comes to me when its ready. Every work of art has a story to tell.
“Created with intentions for healing, wonder and resilience, I hope to spark for your imagination for a life filled with confidence, calm, delight, and fortitude.”
https://www.cynthiatom.com/
Cynthia Tom is:
Cultural Surrealist | Visual Artist |Speaker and Cultural Community and Women focused Curator | Founding Director of A PLACE of HER OWN and Flying Lessons: Inquire Within workshops and lectures | Board President Emeritus – Asian American Women Artists Association
A PLACE OF HER OWN™ https://www.aplaceofherown.org/
A PLACE OF HER OWN™ (PLACE) empowers community through its women. We provide trauma-informed art-based tools and thought processes, including a culturally conscious community to foster confidence, leadership, and compassion. We address generational trauma, colonization, and cultural conditioning, while promoting social justice and self-agency. Through workshops, exhibitions and presentations, we provide visibility and creative sanctuary, inviting women to define their aspirations and self-worth through intuitive art, celebrating their authentic selves.
Art with a Story https://ateliercynthiatom.com/
Art with a Story. Guides for Your Journey Home. These creative products are intended to encourage meditations that help develop and strengthen intuition, self- love and forgiveness and grow your sense of self-worth. They are intended to be treasured reminders to care for you first, to love you first.
Loving yourself first is often an act of resistance and courage. These items are your bold statement that you matter. They invite conversation about both tough and joyous subjects.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I thank Linda A. Harris and Tom Swan for encouraging me to see Cynthia Tom’s installation in the autumn of 2016. I thank Sue R. for giving me a ride to meet:
Cynthia Tom: Stories to Tell, Discards & Variances
Tales of human trafficking from A Chinese American family’s perspective
I thank Margie Yee Webb for giving me a ride to pick up my first purchase of a Cynthia Tom painting.
I thank Sue R. for encouraging me to enroll in Cynthia’s 2018 A PLACE OF HER OWN™
Renowned artist/cultural curator Cynthia Tom says: “To imagine a place of your own, for a woman, is an act of rebellion. Whether its physical or a state of mind, this concept drives self-care and love. This exhibition, the culminating phase of a 6-month healing program, is Intended to inspire, excite and ignite. It combines visual storytelling with mixed media and found objects, and insists upon new ways to re-imagine your place in the world.”
I thank Elisa Sasa Southard for helping me craft my artist statement in April 2018 when we were in Paris, FRANCE.
I thank everyone who were/are connected and supported/support and cheered/cheer for Cynthia Tom and A PLACE OF HER OWN™
I thank Cynthia Tom who inspired me to join Asian American Women Artists Association https://www.aawaa.net/ in San Francisco, California, USA
I thank Cynthia Tom who led me to Dr. Amy Grace Lam https://www.vibrationalenergywellness.com/ and https://www.amygracelam.com/
I thank Dr. Lam who led me to Dr. Jae Reed https://azureskychiro.com/ and https://azureskychiro.com/meet-the-team/#jae-reed
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Here are links to a few of my blog posts that honor Cynthia Tom and everyone involved with A PLACE OF HER OWN™:
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thank you for reading my blog post:
“Celebrating Artist, Curator, Activist, Teacher CYNTHIA TOM and Everyone Connected to Cynthia’s A Place Of Her Own™”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I wish Cynthia Tom and everyone – peace, vibrant health and happiness always!!!
Sincerely,
Teresa Jade LeYung
http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com goes to Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog on Wellness, Themes, Archetypes
Published author, blogger, lover of Paris (France), Writing Coach, Photo Historian Teresa Jade LeYung says:
“I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”
Love Made Of Heart ®
2024 June 16, 17:58 California
(cette semaine mille merci, Anna, Chandra, Deborah, Emily, Kate, Kim, Kristiane, Linda, Margaret, Margie, Maria, MaryT, Nan, Neva, Sasa, MaryT, Sabine, Sasa, Sharon, Sue, Theresa, Dr. Amy Grace Lam, Dr. Jae Reed, Dr. Kerry Lilley, Marie-Christine Cornet, Stephanie Wilger)
Dear Readers
I wish everyone gentleness for self and for all beings.
Thank you, Chiropractor Dr. Kerry Lilley, who says: “When exhaling, release the out breath twice. Release the trauma.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In the book
IMMUNE: Journey into the Mysterious System That Keeps You Alive
by Philipp Dettmer
How The Immune System ACTUALLY Works – IMMUNE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXfEK8G8CUI
YouTube channel: Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell https://www.youtube.com/@kurzgesagt
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007 says:
“Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living. More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you can’t simply “snap out” of it….”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Merriam-Webster dictionary https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depression says:
– a state of feeling sad: low spirits : melancholy
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Chiropractor Dr. Kerry Lilley says: “When exhaling, release the out breath twice. Release the trauma.”
I thank:
Dr. Kerry Lilley, DC https://chiropracticbenicia.com/,
Dr. Jae Reed, DC https://azureskychiro.com/,
Stephanie Wilger, NC https://stephaniewilgernc.net/,
Dr. Amy Grace Lam https://www.vibrationalenergywellness.com/,
Marie-Christine Cornet https://www.mariechristinecornet.com/,
Gilles Marin https://www.chineitsang.com/,
Stephanie Doucette, M.S., L.Ac https://www.stephaniedoucette.com/
Loduskia “Dusky” Pierce, MFT http://www.duskyswondersite.com/
and all the healers who have taught me how to listen to my Brain-Body communicate… how to continue fostering the Smart Brain Smart Body.
I thank all my loved ones for inspiring me to follow my passion – writing – which gets me out of depression.
Thank you for reading my blog post: “Health, My Reaction to Incidents, Depression, Immune System, Stress, Chronic Stressors, Chronic Inflammation, Diseases”
I wish everyone wellness. I wish everyone gentleness for self and for all beings.
Sincerely,
Teresa Jade LeYung
https://m.youtube.com/@teresajadeleyung/videos
Love Made Of Heart ®
Blog post #616
2022 October 1, California; October 3, 22:22
I, Teresa Jade LeYung (formerly Teresa LeYung Ryan), celebrate the 20th anniversary of my mother-daughter novel LOVE MADE OF HEART.
This is just the first of a series of Thank You as I continue celebrating LOVE MADE OF HEART and the kindhearted souls (teachers, librarians, booksellers, media folks, community leaders, friends and colleagues, mentors, readers and more readers) who have helped me speak up about:
– honoring courageous immigrants
– inspiring adult children of mentally ill parents to speak openly about the stigmas
– helping survivors of family violence find their own voices
– speaking from the heart
What does “love made of heart” mean?
In the Chinese written language … the word “heart” is inside the words “grace,” “forgiveness,” “perseverance,” “compassion.”
The word “heart” is inside the word “love”… one of the themes in my mother-daughter novel.
I shall dedicate the entire month of October to thank everyone who has helped me delivered my first novel into the world and all the readers. Many people have helped me but have never broadcast their kindness; I don’t know who they are; I thank everyone from my heart.
Love Made of Heart: a Daughter, a Mother, a Journey Through Mental Illness
http://www.lovemadeofheart.com/Love-Made-of-Heart-a-Daughter,-a-Mother,-a-Journey-Through-Mental-Illness.html
I begin my thanks to:
My mother and all family members, and, the characters (Ruby Lin, Vivien Lin, Mrs. Nussbaum, Dr. Thatcher) who inspired my story.
The teachers who taught the 10-week course “Writing Children’s Literature” where I met critique group members Evelyn Miche, Cat (before she moved to Maine), Theresa Stephenson, Olga Malyj (who joined us for a few months).
To Kim McMillon who believed in me … way back when, long before I started writing. Dr. Kim McMillon, poet, activist, with over twenty years of experience producing theatre, is now an author and Black Arts Movement historian.
Everyone who orchestrated the 1997 Jack London Writers’ Conference, members at the California Writers Club and the Women’s National Book Association.
Everyone at East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) where I had a full-time job at headquarters; to my boss at the time – Robert Doyle – who said “yes” to my request for a 6-week leave-of-absence to complete one last rewrite of my manuscript.
Susan Canale (at EBRPD), Luisa Adams (author), Martha Alderson (author) for reading my last rewrite and giving criticism and praise.
Everyone at Regional Parks Botanic Garden when I got a transfer to a part-time position, especially my boss Steve Edward, Ph.D.
To my then spouse Lyle Ryan for supporting my decision to take a part-time position.
To literary super agent Stacey Glick (now VP at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC) who said that my manuscript LOVE MADE OF HEART was the gem she had rescued from the slush pile.
To acquisition editor/director John Scognamiglio, president Steven Zacharius, publisher Laurie Perkin, art director Louis Malcangi, and everyone at Kensington Publishing Corp. in New York
To artist Linda Christensen for giving me a lovely author-photo.
To my sister (author Maria Kawah Leung) and all my friends who gave me courage to NOT hide behind the book.
To everyone who has “pitched” me to folks at their favorite libraries, book stores, groups, clubs, organizations, radio, TV, online programs … so that I could deliver the messages the themes in my book Love Made of Heart.
Thank you, Maria, for making Love Made of Heart birdhouse wind-chime.
Thank you, Claire Lomax, for handcrafting bookmarks that had my book cover and book spine on them.
Thank you, artist Chandra Garsson, for painting your rendition of the book cover onto my bookcase – one of my most cherished treasures. (attention-grabbing book cover that Louis Malcangi at Kensington Publishing Corp in New York had created)
Thank you, dear California Writers Club fellow-member, for gifting me your gorgeous Chinese robe which I have worn to many book events.
Thank you to all California Writers’ Club members!
Thank you to all Women’s National Book Association members!
Thank you, Elisa Sasa Southard, for teaching me how to create talking-points and talking-taglines, attention-grabbing press releases, memorable bios, and, how to have fun in the crazy world of book promoting!
More thanks to Elisa Sasa Southard, Margie Yee Webb, Luisa Adams, Martha Alderson, Angie Choi, Linda Joy Myers, Mary E. Knippel, Lynn Scott, and all the other talented and kindhearted authors who have co-presented with me since 2000.
Thank you, everyone, for reading and also buying Love Made of Heart for your friends, and, inviting your friends to my events, and for going to my events more than once.
Thank you, everyone, for writing reviews.
Thank you to the teachers / educators, including Professors Victor Turks, Miriam Queen, Patricia Costello, Dan Haytin, Sheryl Fairchild and their delightful students.
Thank you to each reader!
Publisher’s description of LOVE MADE OF HEART
The Chinese word for ‘love’ is made up of many brush strokes. In the center of the word ‘love’ is the word ‘heart.’ Love is made of heart…” Twenty-seven-year-old Ruby Lin has what many women envy: a beautiful apartment in one of San Francisco’s best neighborhoods, a busy social life, and a coveted position as manager of special events for the tony St. Mark Hotel. But it’s Ruby’s personal life that’s become unmanageable ever since the day her mother’s emotional breakdown forced Ruby to hospitalize her, shaming the family. Now, Ruby is caught in the crossroads between two vastly different cultures–one in which she is the American girl, raised on kitschy television shows and black-and-white movies, and one in which she is known only as Daughter, the eldest, fulfiller of responsibilities. In putting together the pieces of her mother’s life, Ruby finds herself exploring the wounds of her own past. Starting with a forbidden locked tin box and the yellowing photograph inside, Ruby embarks on a startling journey of self-discovery that takes her through a family history rife with violence, betrayal and loss that reaches back through generations, from China to America, and finally to the secret pain of a mother’s sacrifice. Like the Chinese calligraphy that adorns her walls, Ruby comes to see that “life is not a straight road, ” but a language drawn with many brush strokes, where every misunderstanding must yield to the simple message of the heart. Filled with warmth and wisdom, this luminous debut novel heralds the arrival of an exciting new voice in fiction as it explores the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, the choices that divide us, and the love that brings us home.
The above is book jacket text written by author Libba Bray for Kensington Publishing Corp. New York for my novel LOVE MADE OF HEART
In my blog posts of October 1, 2013 and November 29, 2013, I said:
“Thank you to authors Frank Baldwin, Carol Schaefer, Lydia Kwa, and Gus Lee for writing lovely advance praise for my book cover. I am so grateful!”
“Special thanks to Martha Alderson, Luisa Adams, Susan Canale, Elisa Sasa Southard, Margie Yee Webb, Kim McMillon, Vicki Weiland !”
“I thank powerhouse Stacey Glick (VP at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management) who found insightful acquisition editor John Scognamiglio (at Kensington Publishing Corp. New York) who guided my mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart to the Sales Team, good-energy publisher Laurie Perkin, president Steven Zacharius, Debbie Tobias was Sales Director, Lou Malcangi was art director, by the way . . . booksellers do judge a book by its cover, Libba Bray, who is now a New York Times bestselling author of young adult books, for book jacket copy, Jacquie Edwards for copy editing, marketing team, production team, Jessica in Sales, Michelle who was Webmaster,and EVERYONE at Kensington and their associates, especially Nancy Suib & Anne Shulenberger, and Kensington Publishing Corp.’s superstars Lydia Kwa, Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston, Mary B. Morrison, Mary Monroe, Carl Weber . . .
If not for these people, I would not have had the opportunity to experience the publishing industry from the author’s perspective . . . which then gave me the credentials to talk about “who” really is the most qualified person to build the author’s platform and fanbase.
Author’s Note to Reader on the last page of LOVE MADE OF HEART
Thank you for letting me share Ruby Lin’s story with you. Many readers have asked me what the characters in the novel have done for me. My answer is this: I’ve learned that behind every face is a compelling story.
Please remember me as a writer who says YES! to compassion for mental illness and NO! to domestic violence and child abuse.
Who is Mrs. Nussbaum? She lives in all our hearts. Just as we have the “child within,” we also have the “wise elder within.” May you always embrace your compelling story and allow your Mrs. Nussbaum to embrace you.
Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan (now Teresa Jade LeYung)
Happy 48th anniversary to Kensington Publishing Corp in New York!
https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/pages/about/ says:
“2022 marks Kensington Publishing Corp’s 48th year in business, and it is one of the last remaining independent U.S. publisher of hardcover, trade and mass market paperback books. From the time our very first book (Appointment in Dallas by Hugh McDonald), became a bestseller, Kensington has been known as an astute and determined David-vs.-Goliath publisher of titles in the full spectrum of categories, from fiction and romance to health and nonfiction. In addition to the close to 500 new books, the company releases through its diverse imprints per year, it has a backlist of more than 5,000 titles. Kensington is considered a leader and innovator in such areas of publishing as African-American, cozy mysteries, westerns, and of course, romance.”
Love Made of Heart:
– a 2002 nominee of the Asian American Literary Awards
– recommended by the California School Library Association and the California Reading Association
– used in Women in Psychology, First-Year Composition college course, Advanced Composition English-as-a-Second-Language classes
– read by students at Stanford University, U.C. Berkeley, San Francisco State University, City College of San Francisco, City College of Sacramento, Lowell High School, and many other wonderful institutions
– archived at the San Francisco History Center
– available at public libraries
This is just the first of a series of Thank You as I continue celebrating LOVE MADE OF HEART and the kindhearted souls (teachers, librarians, booksellers, media folks, readers and more readers) who have helped me speak up about:
NO to domestic violence and child abuse!
YES to kindness and compassion with mental illness!
YES to speaking from the heart!
I wish everyone wellness, kindness, happiness!
Sincerely,
Teresa Jade LeYung
Story Theme Consultant / Photo Historian / Author / Public Library and Public School Advocate
http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com goes to Teresa’s Blog
Writing Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”
Love Made Of Heart ®
2021 March 14, 21:38; March 15, 14:47; March 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27; amended 2021 March 27, 07:44
Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog Post #604
Last week, I was at a place not far from where I live - to escape from construction noise (neighbors modifying their house to “age in place”). While I am happy for anyone who can do that … the persistent noise produced by power tools and hammers reactivated my persistent pain pathways in such a way that I don’t have words to describe the sensations. For sure they are “unpleasant” and “undesirable”.
On March 10, at this place of tranquility, I woke up to the sound of power pruning. NO! I thought Am I being tested?
On March 11, another unpleasant incident occupied my thoughts.
On March 12, I read the email from kindhearted mentor author Margaret R. Davis. Margaret asked: “Teresa, can’t you apply the very same principles you use to reduce pain to block out the irritation of the construction noise?”
Margaret is referring to what I have learned and what I continue to learn from Dr. Norman Doidge, Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Dr. Marla Golden, Dr. Danielle Rosenman, Professor Lorimer Moseley about retraining my brain / practicing neuroplasticity.
Thank you, Margaret! Thank you to ALL the dear hearts in my life who care about my well-being. I am most grateful!
Soothing thoughts. I thought about LaH who delivered me to this lovely place and how MT, SS, NN individually visited me and brought delicious foods, and, everyone who sent cards, emails, text-messages, voicemail, thoughts, prayers.
On the evening of March 13, 2021, I wanted to watch the movie PRIVATE BENJAMIN (starring Goldie Hawn) again.
Well, not only did I find clips on YouTube, but also, I was rewarded with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZsGZZA3LNM Ms. Goldie Hawn’s inspiring presentation “Importance of Mindfulness”
I was overjoyed listening to Ms. Goldie Hawn’s sharing stories of children learning about how their brains work, and talking about their amygdala, prefrontal cortex … what is neuroplasticity, practicing “Brain Breaks” (meditation) with their teachers three times a day in school, using soothing thoughts to quiet their hardworking brains, and, the children going home to share their knowledge with their parents and other family members.
At 19 minutes Ms. Hawn shows the audience a film on MindUP – the signature program for children of the Goldie Hawn Foundation.
At 39 minutes Ms. Hawn talks about intentions; to witness thoughts, and not get attached to them.
[ Teresa Jade LeYung here…
“Wow, witness my thoughts but not get attached to them. I thought about my lineage…. If as children my grandparents on both sides were given the opportunities to practice this skill, then, as adults they would have passed it onto their children (my parents), and my parents would have passed it onto me and my siblings.
“My parents were young people during World War II; my mother was orphaned; my father had to leave home to find work and send money to support his mother and siblings; then, they experienced colonization . . . such chaotic lives . . . and no one to teach them how to create peace for their beautiful brains.
“Last week, while I was at that lovely place that turned out to be not so tranquil, I said to my pals ‘I am what I think.’ If I am to truly heal from persistent pain and unpleasant sensations (all produced by Beautiful Brain), I must practice detaching myself from worrisome thoughts, and, use soothing thoughts to create pleasant sensations.” ]
* * * * * * *
https://mindup.org/ says: “Since 2003, MindUP has been helping children develop the mental fitness necessary to thrive in school and throughout their lives.
MindUP is the signature program of The Goldie Hawn Foundation, a not-for-profit organization created in response to the global epidemic of childhood aggression, anxiety, depression and suicide. Based firmly in neuroscience, MindUP gives children the knowledge and tools they need to manage stress, regulate emotions and face the challenges of the 21st century with optimism, resilience and compassion.”
* * * * * * * *
Above graphics of the brain is from TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION workbook
by Michael H. Moskowitz, MD & Marla D. Golden, DO
http://www.neuroplastix.com
https://shop.neuroplastix.com/Neuroplastic-Transformation-Workbook-92-W8PZ-LIIY.htm
[ Teresa Jade LeYung here…
“I wonder if Dr. Moskowitz, Dr. Golden or Dr. Danielle Rosenman know about Ms. Hawn’s foundation and that the children in the MindUP program know what their Amygdala, Prefrontal Cortex and other parts of their brains do and how they (the children) learn to develop mental fitness.
“In our family, no one taught us anything resembling mental fitness.
“The adults were inept. In the 1970s, my escape was watching movies from the 1940′s, but, many of the characters in those films were lost souls. Our brother turned to music. Our little sister relied on her imagination; her stuffed animal companion Happy Dog was her loyal and gentle confidant.
“As an adult, my sister always chose careers that involved helping children. She is Maria Kawah Leung – author of LITTLE HEROES OF BAY STREET: And How They Stay Strong in an Unhappy Home. The protagonists in her illustrated book are Mia and Happy Dog. To hear a reading of Maria Kawah Leung’s book by Hannah Yeoh, a member of Parliament in Malaysia, and to hear Happy Dog’s message to children, and Maria’s comforting words to children and adults … watch on Youtube https://youtu.be/9k8DLcJlvVg
“If MindUP had existed during our childhood . . . I can just see my little sister coming home to show our parents how to “quiet their hardworking brains” ]
* * * * * * *
https://mindup.org/
The heroes at MindUP announce: “We are happy to announce MindUP will now be rebranded to MindUP For Life. Evolving the visual identity to embody its new holistic direction.
We are thrilled to unveil our new brand identity and share with you that MindUP is evolving to become MindUP for Life. After many years as a school-based program for educators, MindUP for Life will now also be available to parents, families, and adults. This rebranding marks an exciting time in MindUP’s history, as we are launching the 2nd edition of our curriculum as well as an interactive online platform projected to launch this spring to support our growing audience. Over the last few months, we have worked with the amazing team at Le Parc Design to create a new image that would accurately depict our growth and helps us impact as many individuals as possible.
To foster children’s well-being through educational programs based in neuroscience and mindful practice.
Based firmly in neuroscience, MindUP teaches the skills and knowledge children need to regulate their stress and emotion, form positive relationships, and act with kindness and compassion.”
Ms. Goldie Hawn explains how brain breaks and meditation have a positive effect on our neurobiology https://mindup.org/category/mindup-at-home/
* * * * * * *
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading this blog post: Author and Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Everywhere I go, I learn about our beautiful brains. This week, MindUP, Ms. Goldie Hawn’s foundation”
I wish you and your beautiful brains – safety, kindness, excellent health, clear water, blue sky, delicious eats, smiles, sweet laughter, soothing thoughts and more soothing thoughts!
Sincerely,
Teresa Jade LeYung
Theme Consultant / Platform-Building Coach
Coach Teresa Jade LeYung says: “I love helping writers identify the themes in their manuscripts to hook readers, and, build and fortify their platforms before and after publication. Reach out, not stress out.”
www.TeresaJadeLeYung.com
Coach Teresa’s workbook -
Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW — print edition and ebook
http://www.OurBeautifulBrains.com takes you to Story Continuity / Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung’s blog - resources regarding our beautiful brains / persistent pain / depression / wellness
Love Made Of Heart ®
Teresa Jade LeYung says “Be kind to our beautiful brains.”
Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung’s Blog Post Number 600; Part 3 of first trilogy on our Beautiful Brains -
2021 January 11, 22:55 — January 12, 00:10; January 12, 22:18–23:28; January 13, 14:14–15:10; 17:44–19:27; 19:56–22:36
California USA
Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Look what happens when persistent (chronic) pain pathways take over the other brain functions – impacting my emotions, problem-solving, memory, creativity, and …”
**
All graphics in this blog post are from Michael H. Moskowitz, MD & Marla D. Golden, DO
**
When Beautiful Brain is not producing pain -
**
When Beautiful Brain is producing acute pain –
**
When Beautiful Brain is producing persistent (chronic) pain -
**
According to Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Dr. Marla Golden, Dr. Norman Doidge, Dr. Danielle Rosenman -
There are 9 areas in the thinking brain (actually a few more, because some are on both sides of the brain) that control our personal experience of pain and discomfort. This is where pain signals are received. Normally, only 5% of the nerve cells in the brain process pain. In persistent pain, 15-25% of the cells of the entire brain are involved! The actual map of the brain has changed, with an increased part of the map given to pain. This is because the pain areas get bigger, stealing nerves and synapses (connections) from the rest of the brain.
The relationship between pain (or discomfort) and mood (includes anxiety and depression):
Remember that the brain has different areas for different functions? It’s actually more complicated than that! Many brain functions are located in the same areas or are very close together, and there are some shared connections. (Review: “Nerves that fire together wire together.”)
Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden say to “flood” the brain map, interrupt pain signals with pleasurable –
- THOUGHTS
- IMAGES
- SENSATIONS
- MEMORIES
- SOOTHING EMOTIONS
- MOVEMENT
- BELIEFS
Dr. Danielle Rosenman adds: “Smile for yourself and talk out loud to your Brain.”
Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says:
“I refuse to let pain pathways hijack other Brain functions. Some days I win the steering wheel/control panel. Other days Pain/Depression win. The more consistent I give my Beautiful Brain pleasure, the more winning days I shall have.
“Dr. Danielle Rosenman (via ZOOM sessions) has guided and coached me (with techniques from Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden) in creating my unique ‘bag of tricks’ to interrupt pain, depression and other unpleasant signals.”
Dr. Norman Doidge and Professor Lorimer Moseley say: “MOVEMENT is critical in retraining the nervous system. Even imagining movement will retrain the system!”
https://www.neura.edu.au/staff/prof-lorimer-moseley/
How do I create Pleasure for my Brain? How do I communicate with / give feedback to my Brain?
My evolving “Bag of Tricks” (with the 7 modalities) to give my Beautiful Brain pleasure:
“Imagining” any of these modalities when I can’t access the physical form (especially during COVID-19 Stay At Home order) serves me well.
THOUGHTS -
When pain or depression signals (including unpleasant thoughts) pop up, I have to interrupt them with pleasurable thoughts.
Pleasurable Thoughts this month include: candied wintermelon pastry (thanks to MT’s selecting); sweet persimmons (thanks to EO); Nan’s signature pesto; Linda’s signature pear Clafoutis; Sasa’s signature salads; Pad Thai with fresh ingredients.
IMAGES -
Because our brains store all experiences (including what we see in movies. read about, and hear about…), I have to stay away from all unpleasant images (even some of my favorite movies, details of sensational news) while I am retraining Beautiful Brain
Pleasurable images include looking at – my photos taken in Paris; postcards of paintings by Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Marc Chagall; photos from MT of her hikes; photos from Marie-Christine (she’s in France); photos of nature and kids (2-legged and 4-legged ones) from all my friends; art by Chandra Garsson, Cynthia Tom, Cris Matos, Sharon Leong; photos of Happy Dog (my sister Maria Kawah Leung’s hero in her book Little Heroes Of Bay Street); seeing Linda’s little Gracie; the montage (of me and “Brain-no-pain”) at the end of this blog post.
SENSATIONS -
Some sensations I liked (before persistent pain began) aren’t pleasurable right now – drinking hot tea fuels pain right now.
While I am happy for neighbors who are modifying their house for “Aging In Place”, the construction noise (hammering, drilling) also fuels pain and depression right now.
Pleasurable sensations include - cool and cold water on skin; seeing green plants, blue sky, squirrels and hummingbirds in our patio and neighbor’s; laughing at GOMER PYLE USMC episodes (especially Season 3, Episode 6); smiling for myself; listening to “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy; tasting sweet fruit on tongue; smelling roses; firm and soothing touch to the body part that is feeling pain.
MEMORIES -
Because our brains store all memories … when unpleasant memories pop up, I have to interrupt them with pleasant ones.
Pleasurable memories:
- Being with people I care about.
- Eating breads and quiches, buying postcards, and walking and gawking at buildings in Paris
- Living sans clutter
SOOTHING EMOTIONS – this is most difficult for me
When my reaction to someone’s behavior brings on pain and other unpleasant signals, I send my thoughts to what the person means to me.
Remember what the good doctors said about “the relationship between pain (or discomfort) and mood (includes anxiety and depression)?
Please see Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION page 35 through page 75. And, I hope you’ll find someone like Dr. Danielle Rosenman to coach you.
MOVEMENT -
Walking in the neighborhood (when my Brain is occupied with looking, listening, smelling… I feel no pain); dancing with Ms. Sophia Loren, Ms. Rita Hayworth, and Ms. Cyd Charisse (thanks to Youtube clips) ; imagining flying (ballet) over Paris; and running on dirt tracks and fields of wildflowers!
BELIEFS -
That I hold the power to be pain-free and depression-free; that every task can be accomplished with ease; that wellness is reality
**
Thank you, Dr. Norman Doidge, Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Dr. Marla Golden, and Professor Lorimer Moseley!
Thank you, Naomi Schaeffer Draper, M.S. Physical Therapist, for teaching me Feldenkrais techniques! Thank you, mentor Lynn Scott, for the referral!
Thank you, Dr. Danielle Rosenman!
https://www.medicalcounseling.net/ Danielle Rosenman, M.D. uses neuroplasticity, imagery, meditation, psychotherapy, and other techniques in her Medical Counseling practice and in her innovative “Tools for Healing” groups.
Thank you, Dr. Amy Grace Lam ! vibrational energy healer
Thank you, all dear hearts who care about me and have helped/are helping me on this journey !!!!!
My next blog post will be about what I continue to learn from: “Getting a grip on pain and the brain – Professor Lorimer Moseley – Successful Ageing Seminar 2013″ https://youtu.be/5p6sbi_0lLc 41 minutes
For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog If you look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”. Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to our our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity.
I wish you, dear Reader and your Beautiful Brain, wellness!
Sincerely,
Love Made Of Heart ®
To read Part 1 of my trilogy on our Beautiful Brains:
Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ would feel NO pain” http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/story-theme-consultant-teresa-jade-leyung-says-scarecrow-in-the-wizard-of-oz-would-feel-no-pain/
To read Part 2 of my trilogy on our Beautiful Brains:
Story Continuity/Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Adaptable Brain, Let Quiet Enter.” http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/storytheme-consultant-teresa-jade-leyung-says-adaptable-brain-let-quiet-enter/
Teresa Jade LeYung, an American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a story continuity/theme consultant, author of LOVE MADE OF HEART (daughter-mother novel archived at the San Francisco History Center and used by college professors), BUILD YOUR WRITER’S PLATFORM & FANBASE IN 22 DAYS (a workbook), and TALKING TO MY DEAD MOM Monologues (the first monologue received an award from Redwood Writers Ten-Minute Play Festival), an advocate for public libraries and public schools, creator of http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/ , and, admirer of City of Light. Composing Haiku poems is a new love for LeYung.
Updated 2020 November 6, 13:22 PST
2020 October 29 California USA
2020 November 4,5,6
In American author L. Frank Baum’s children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and her dog Toto meet the Scarecrow who wants a brain, the Tin Woodman who wants a heart, and the Lion who wants courage.
I shall focus on what the Scarecrow doesn’t have and wants.
The Scarecrow who doesn’t have a brain would feel no pain. He can’t.
He might sustain injuries and illnesses, but, until he gets a full brain (the thinking conscious brain in addition to the automatic survival brain), he would not feel any pain. Without the thinking conscious brain, he wouldn’t feel any sensation – pleasant ones or unpleasant ones.
Unpleasant sensations? Pain. Depression. Anxiety.
If I were the Wizard, before granting Mr. Scarecrow what he wants, I would tell him this:
Dear Mr. Scarecrow,
When you get what you want – a beautiful brain – you will be getting an adaptable nervous system – adaptability which scientists call neuroplasticity. The brain changes whenever we learn to do something new or when we stop doing something. The brain produces sensations, including pain. According to Dr. Norman Doidge, Dr. Michael Moskowitz, Dr. Marla Golden, Dr. Danielle Rosenman, Professor Lorimer Moseley and other neuroscientists and physicians … pain is our most sophisticated protective device.
In Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s most engaging workbook TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION, they inform: “Acute pain is an alarm going off in the brain that signifies danger and/or damage to the body…. The experience of pain may be the single most important perception we have to help us survive…. This is quite different than persistent pain experience, in which the signal sets up an endless loop between body and brain, inflammatory processes become chronic, anti-inflammatory processes are overwhelmed, and the nerve cells dedicated to pain increase up to five-fold. Acute pain helps with survival while persistent pain transforms danger into misery.”
In his presentations, Professor Lorimer Moseley says: “We feel pain in our body, in a particular location, but, it is impossible to feel pain without the brain, and, it is definitely possible to feel pain without the body part.”
Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden also say: “This is why general anesthetics work – by separating the thinking conscious brain from the automatic survival brain. During anesthesia, the survival part of the brain stays active, but, the perceptive part of the brain is turned off.”
By the way, Dr. Moskowitz is Chapter 1 in Dr. Norman Doidge’s second book The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity
Chapter 1 Physician Hurt, Then Heal Thyself - Michael Moskowitz Discovers That Chronic Pain Can Be Unlearned
I am giving you this information because you say you want a brain. Understanding how your brain and pain pathways work can help dissipate fear. Your loyal friends will stick by you, as mine have (I am forever grateful to them), but, you will be the one experiencing the sensations. Even the most courageous heroes can feel defeated when persistent pain takes over their lives.
“What is the antidote for pain, depression, anxiety, and other unpleasant symptoms? PLEASURE.
“How to accomplish this?
“By studying the brain and practicing … by using thoughts, images, sensations, soothing memories, soothing emotions, movement, and beliefs … to harness the power of our brains,” Dr. Moskowitz and Dr. Golden instruct. On the last page of their workbook, they leave us with plenty of hope: “Neuroplastic Transformation opens a new approach to treating people living with persistent pain …. The overarching message is that persistent pain can be challenged and defeated by using the same principles that have created it.”
The simple act of smiling for yourself will help your beautiful brain’s natural production of chemicals that include GABA, Anandamide, Endorphins, Oxytocin.
Dr. Danielle Rosenman reminded me: “When you learn to talk to your brain, you are opening up a new life.” Thank you, Dr. Rosenman
Mr. Scarecrow, I wish you a new beautiful life. Also, I wish you, and Dorothy, Toto, Mr. Tin Woodman, Mr. Lion, and everyone you folks care about — safety, excellent health, and plenty of pleasure for all your beautiful brains.
Here are the names of a few “Wonderful Wizards” who have enriched my life through their books about our brains and wellness, their talks, or their treatments
https://youtu.be/5p6sbi_0lLc to see the 41 minute talk “Getting a grip on pain and the brain – Professor Lorimer Moseley – Successful Ageing Seminar 2013″ on Youtube
http://www.neuroplastix.com/ for Dr. Michael Moskowitz and Dr. Marla Golden - TRANSFORMING THE BRAIN IN PAIN: NEUROPLASTIC TRANSFORMATION workbook and webinars and brain graphics
http://www.normandoidge.com/ for Dr. Norman Doidge (look for his talks posted on Youtube)
Dr. Doidge’s first book – The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (translated into 26 languages)
Dr. Doidge’s second book – The Brain’s Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity (translated into 19 languages so far)
To my compassionate primary care physician (present and past) and the entire team at SEBMF, I thank you!
https://www.medicalcounseling.net/ Danielle Rosenman, M.D. uses neuroplasticity, imagery, meditation, psychotherapy, and other techniques in her Medical Counseling practice and in her innovative “Tools for Healing” groups.
http://amygracelam.com/ Dr. Amy Grace Lam, vibrational energy healer, says: “I do this work by connecting with your body’s vibrational energy field to learn what unconscious beliefs and emotions are hindering you the most and supporting you in accessing your body’s wisdom for transformation.”
http://www.duskyswondersite.com/ Loduskia “Dusky” Pierce, MFT says: “Mind/body approaches such as EMDR and Emotional Freedom Technique are scientifically proven methods that we might use to address trauma or deep emotional wounds.”
http://www.mariechristinecornet.com/ Marie-Christine Cornet (now in France), Chi Nei Tsang and Somatic Experience practitioner, says: “Connecting to your body and its wealth of intelligence and wisdom is the portal to living Life deeply and authentically.”
http://stephaniedoucette.com/ Stephanie Doucette, M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. OM, is a California Licensed Acupuncturist and Clinical Herbalist. She is nationally certified as a Diplomate in Oriental Medicine and practices integrative orthopedic therapy, bringing together acupuncture, deep tissue massage and manual orthopedic techniques to treat neuromuscular injury and chronic pain.
https://www.victoriasweet.com/ for Dr. Victoria Sweet
Dr. Sweet’s first book – God’s Hotel: A Doctor, a Hospital, and a Pilgrimage to the Heart of Medicine
Dr. Sweet’s second book - Slow Medicine: The Way to Healing
Remember to smile for your beautiful brain, not just on the Yellow Brick Road but wherever you are. During the pandemic when we’re all wearing masks to protect others and ourselves… all the more reason to smile for your brain’s pleasure pathways.
Sincerely,
Teresa Jade LeYung
Love Made Of Heart ®
Story Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung says: “Scarecrow in THE WIZARD OF OZ would feel NO pain”
I recommend this spellbinding workbook -
Transforming the Brain In Pain
Neuroplastic Transformation
by Michael H. Moskowitz, MD and Marla D. Golden, DO
Why doesn’t the pain stop?
Listen to your body talk
Use your brain to stop your pain
https://shop.neuroplastix.com/Neuroplastic-Transformation-Workbook-92-W8PZ-LIIY.htm
http://www.neuroplastix.com/ for Dr. Moskowitz’s and Dr. Golden’s webinars
For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog If you look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”. Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to our our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity.
To help prevent spread of COVID-19 virus, I wear face-covering AND keep at least 6-foot-distance with people who don’t live with me. No blaming No shaming; I protect myself and everyone else.
Teresa Jade LeYung speaks out and offers resources through her Blog: http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/
Teresa talks about her work of art entitled ”Four Desks for the Four Femmes In Me” at A PLACE OF HER OWN (Founder/Director/Curator: Cynthia Tom) 2018 Exhibition https://youtu.be/JtvIsTjcbOk 2 minutes, 44 seconds
Teresa Jade LeYung, an American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a manuscript-theme consultant, author of Love Made Of Heart (daughter-mother novel archived at the San Francisco History Center), Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days (a workbook), and Talking To My Dead Mom (monologues), advocate for public libraries and public schools, and, admirer of City of Light.
Fernando Flores Esq. says:
On the July 31, 2020 episode of Health and Wellness University, I interviewed Amy Grace Lam, Ph.D.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mind-body-and-spirit-connection/id1344979967?i=1000486753700
Amy Grace Lam is a healer, writer and activist committed to supporting diverse global communities for healing and transformation. Through her energy work, Amy creates experiences for individuals to bridge spiritual and physical realities into a magical conversation with each other.
https://www.vibrationalenergywellness.com/
She loves working with individuals to connect to their inner wisdom, step into their leadership and confidently manifest their gifts to the world. Amy’s writing and art have been featured in literary and academic journals and Bay Area performance and artistic venues.
She works with immigrant and refugee serving organizations to vision and design transformative programs.
To connect with Amy, please visit:
https://www.vibrationalenergywellness.com/
http://amygracelam.com/
Vibrational Energy Coaching
Reconnect to your body’s knowing
Are you looking to improve your mind-body-spirit connection? Do you tend to ignore what your body is saying to you? Do you want to understand how your emotions affect your body and how to change your body’s response to emotional triggers? Are you curious about exploring your connection to your higher self, your ancestors, nature and the universe?
Teresa Jade LeYung says:”Thank you, dear Dr. Amy Grace Lam, for teaching me how to listen, ask questions, listen some more … to my Body and reconnect to intuition / my Body’s knowing. You helped me solved three life-changing problems, and, I was able to go home to Paris again and again, with peace of mind and joy in my heart. I am forever grateful.”
For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog If you look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”. Please click on that category to get all my blog posts pertaining to our our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
NARRATIVE PATHS JOURNAL July 10, 2020 Guest Column:
Wake-Up America! Part II
Healing Racism
by Dr. Kim McMillon, Professor & Author
Dr. Kim McMillon, author, historian, activist, over twenty years of experience producing theatre
The Conversation
- How do you become an ally to those experiencing racial oppression?
- The public has not protested the atrocities that have been taking place in our country, but yet during a pandemic, people are taking to the streets to protest the death of George Floyd, why?
- How do you believe we can change the world for the better?
- As a poet, how would you like to be remembered?
- What line or stanza of poetry best describes you?
***
Author Teresa Jade LeYung says: The tagline in Dr. Kim McMillon’s poetathon is: “If not NOW, WHEN?” I believe that that mantra plus the ability to document incidents with our personal electronic devices (especially cellphones) plus the speed in which to broadcast content through social media add up to a World Town Crier galvanizing people to protest the murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and other victims. Here we are, fighting a global enemy named Coronavirus – people old and young risking their lives to save lives – folks making sacrifices by staying home to reduce the spread of infection – friends and neighbors sharing resources . . . yet, all the while, the hideous monster named racial injustice looms across our past and present. What can I do after protesters have gone home? How do I confront apathy and denial? I pledge to get more training from www.ihollaback.org: “We’re on a mission to end harassment—in all its forms.” The folks at Hollaback! (in 16 countries) have developed new programs, including “Bystander Intervention to Stop Police-Sponsored Violence and Anti-Black Racist Harassment” and “Stand Up Against Street Harassment.” I pledge to not wait to read voting material right before elections but to routinely visit websites of my legislators to communicate to them what laws I want changed, so that I stand with fellow Americans to fully exercise our rights to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” http://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration
***
Author Teresa Jade LeYung says: How can we change the world for the better? While I have no answers, questions weigh on me as a U.S. citizen.
- Education – “Why do zip codes influence how much money a child receives in public schools? Do ballot measures show this inequality?” https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tale-two-zip-codes-covid-19-exposes-deep-disparities-u-n1227646
- ***
- When the media brag about lowest unemployment rate, I want to know: “How many of these jobs actually pay a living wage?” “Who are selling and buying ‘cheap labor’ and where are the human beings toiling?”https://livingwage.mit.edu/articles and https://livingwage.mit.edu/articles/61-new-living-wage-data-for-now-available-on-the-tool and https://www.worldhunger.org/ and https://www.worldhunger.org/hunger-news/united-states/
- ***
- When groups blame immigrants and migrant workers (all tax payers by the way) for “taking away” jobs, I ask “Why are we denying the fact that U.S. companies send millions of jobs overseas?” and “What happened to the companies who had urged us to be patriotic by buying products made in the U.S.A.?” https://www.thebalance.com/how-outsourcing-jobs-affects-the-u-s-economy-3306279
- ***
- Why are we afraid to look at “ugly”?
- Abject Poverty https://www.un.org/en/sections/issues-depth/poverty/
- ***
- Hate and Bigotry https://www.splcenter.org/what-we-do
- ***
- Modern day Slavery also known as Human Trafficking https://www.acf.hhs.gov/otip/partnerships/look-beneath-the-surface
- ***
Do we have a chance of becoming our better selves? Yes! We can wake up! Perhaps if we continue asking lawmakers these and other questions, our united voices shall change the world for the better.
“Thank you, Dr. Kim McMillon, for giving us this forum to wake up in unity.”
Lines from Martin Luther King Jr.’s Nobel Lecture on December 11, 1964 – “Each of these problems, while appearing to be separate and isolated, is inextricably bound to the other. I refer to racial injustice, poverty, and war.” www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1964/king/lecture/
***
James Baldwin’s arguments in the debate with William F. Buckley at Cambridge University (1965) “Has the American Dream Been Achieved at the Expense of the American Negro?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFeoS41xe7w
***
“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” – quote from George Orwell’s book 1984.
***
Jeffery Robinson’s lecture on August 24, 2017 “When Heritage = Hate: The Truth About the Confederacy in America” (full version) – What was the American civil war really fought about? Men. Women. Children. Chattel. Slaves. White Supremacy was the reality/truth. Who has been and are writing history books? What we can do to learn from our past and combat systemic racism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOPGpE-sXh0 and https://www.aclu-wa.org/events/when-heritage-hate-truth-about-confederacy-america
https://www.ihollaback.org Hollaback! in 20 cities globally!
***
https://www.standup-international.com/fr/fr Agissons ensemble contre le harcèlement de rue.
***
https://www.standagainsthatred.org/ Stand Against Hate
***
https://www.asianpacificpolicyandplanningcouncil.org/stop-aapi-hate/ Stop AAPI Hate
I wish you and everyone around you safety, kindness, excellent health, clear water, blue sky, delicious foods, and sweet laughter!
Bonne journée!
Sincerely,
Author and Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung
“To help prevent spread of COVID-19, I wear face-covering AND keep at least 6-foot distance with people who don’t live with me. No blaming No shaming; I protect myself and everyone else.”
Teresa Jade LeYung, American naturalized citizen of Chinese ancestry, is a manuscript-theme consultant, author of Love Made Of Heart (archived at the San Francisco History Center), Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days, and Talking To My Dead Mom monologues, and, advocate for public libraries and public schools. Teresa speaks out and offers resources through her Blog: http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/
July 31, 2020
Thank you, Ms. Vanessa Miller of Hollaback!, for today’s excellent training.
In 2020, Hollaback! and L’Oréal Paris join forces to ensure everyone’s self-worth, leveraging Hollaback!’s 5 D’s methodology to help people safely intervene when they experience or witness harassment in public spaces.The goal of the Stand Up program is to train 1,000,000 people to become Upstanders before the end of 2021 and ultimately build a culture where street harassment is seen as unacceptable behavior.
STAND UP Against Street Harassment
In any language, we see what is happening and how we can STAND UP against harassment.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7J5N4qfflk
“Street harassment ends here. We see it happen, but uncomfortably look away. We feel the urge to speak up, but stay cautiously silent. We all want to do something about it, but don’t know what. Or worse, we end up thinking it’s ‘not a big deal.’ Street harassment is always a BIG deal. And now, we have what it takes to stand up to it. It’s always worth it.”
https://www.ihollaback.org/stand-street-harassment/
https://www.ihollaback.org in 20 cities globally!
https://www.ihollaback.org/harassmenttraining/
Watching this video … I clearly see that I don’t need to know a particular language (when I am traveling) to know how to take care of myself and also how to be an “Upstander” (instead of a helpless bystander) when confronted by street harassment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7J5N4qfflk
Agissons ensemble contre le harcèlement de rue | STAND UP | L’Oréal® Paris
81% des femmes en France déclarent avoir été victimes de harcèlement sexuel dans les lieux publics. Seulement 20% déclarent avoir été aidées par quelqu’un. Nous pouvons tous agir. Informez-vous et formez-vous sur http://standup-france.com
En partenariat avec Hollaback! et la Fondation des Femmes, L’Oréal Paris lance Stand Up: un mouvement voué à nous apprendre à tous et à toutes à réagir que l’on soit victimes ou témoins de harcèlement sexuel dans les lieux publics. — Abonnez-vous à notre chaîne YouTube pour en savoir davantage sur Stand Up : http://youtube.com/lorealparisfrance Retrouvez-nous sur les réseaux sociaux : Facebook : http://facebook.com/lorealparisfrance Twitter : http://twitter.com/@lorealparisfr Instagram : http://instagram.com/lorealparis Pinterest : http://pinterest.com/lorealparisfr Snapchat : @lorealparisfr
Thank you, Hollaback! and L’Oréal Paris, for showing us
how to “STAND UP Against Street Harassment”
Merci beaucoup Hollaback! et L’Oréal Paris!
Merci beaucoup mes amies!
I wish you and everyone around you safety, kindness, excellent health, clear water, blue sky, delicious foods, and sweet laughter!
Bonne journée!
Sincerely,
Author and Theme Consultant Teresa Jade LeYung
“To help prevent spread of COVID-19, I wear face-covering AND keep at least 6-foot distance with people who don’t live with me. No blaming No shaming; I protect myself and everyone else.”
Report a Hate Crime at:
- Stand Against Hate https://www.standagainsthatred.org/
- Stop AAPI Hate https://www.asianpacificpolicyandplanningcouncil.org/stop-aapi-hate/
- New Yorkers can email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov or the calling the hotline 1-800-771-7755
- New York City: If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination based on membership in a protected category, please call 311 and say, “human rights” or visit www.NYC.gov/HumanRights to report your experience. If you have been the victim of or witness to a hate crime call 911.
- You can contact Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law for assistance with legal and social services at (1-844-966-4283)