christians dont like us at Penn State

So we drive to Penn State where they are holding a sweatshop awareness raising evening with some powerpoint presentations (very educational) and some skits (later my friend kristen who was raised born again tells me that christians love skits--who knew!). And we (slanty eyed mama) are gonna re-present with some hip hop and material on the colonialization of the third world and the paradoxes inherent in sweatshops in general. in the email trail that leads to this gig my contact there, the lovely and proactive Dayi Lee has been asking me to be specific about my material which kind of weirds me out as in (me) "why do you want to know what material we will do?" Oh by the way the kids inthe picture are some of the students who brought us to Penn Stae and they rock. Anyways, as I was saying, I am thinking it's weird to be asked about content when I have a whole 2 websites devoted to our p.o.v. and to our work so I am like what do you want a script??? Apparently this would have been a good idea, for when we show up, Lyris all in her big boots and leather jacket and tattoos, me in a silver blazer and hot new leather arm cuffs (thanks steve leather!) apparently, we get "looks." I of course notice none of it and blithely say hello to all and sundry thinking what? Asian American students are often a little scared/starstruck when we walk in so I set about talking to everyone about the night and who will be there etc. Seems like the event is actually co sponsored by 2 christian groups, and I am like ok whatever it's all good, and I make a note to self to censor some language. But yall know what I think -- profanity is sometimes political esp when it comes from the mouth of a person (eg. me) who is traditionally discouraged/gender forced/culturally unaccepted as a purveyor of hard words hard ideas. This lotus petal can spew poison and will and should when talking about the disenfranchisement of an entire population (asian women, as in no voice allowed, thanks hello kitty). So up we go on stage and how bizarre to have half an audience, stage left, rockin with us, cheering and hearing protest songs. And have the other half , stage right, recoiling in horror, not at what we are saying, but at the attitude of it. Loud. Bold. Outspoken. Political. Do I have to be a blushing flower in order to believe in God? Do I have to be gentle and meek and defy no authority to be filled with the spirit? I don't think so. I wanted to scream Come oonnnnnnnnn you guys come onnnnnnnnn. Rise up. Take your place. Feel your power. Like my new white college boyfriend Chris who is unafraid to sport a t shirt that says Slanty Eyed mama. I insist on giving these and the other shirts we sell that say "Chink" in a box of words that alos objectify the Asian American (such as "gook, nip, slant etc") to white fans--everyone can subvert the racist paradigm and everyone can have a discussion on the pain of racist language not just the people who represent by the way they look. I love anyone who is brave enough to come to a concert and open discussion on the issues of language and wear a shirt that provokes that discussion. Anyways back to the christians. Now of course profanity and subversive language is not the only route to self awareness. Just as doing a breakdance to gospel music (which we were treated to by the lively korean christian assoc) is not the only way to bridge past and present. We dont talk about sex in our act -- but we are sexy. I do not curse anyone out, but i do say the f-word in exactly 2 places because it has been used as an oppressor of asian women as in, fucky fucky sucky sucky all night long.
After the show a shaken Dayi waited for us to finish signing autographs and bonding with fans to inform us that the christians wanted a formal apology. For what I asked. For sexual content and offensive material. I said, why didnt they ask me themselves-- indeed why dont these type of christians ever feel empowered enough to actually sit and discuss, to examine the material they react to with such emotional vitriol...? She said they were too "overcome". I said have them send me an email expressing what they disliked and let us open a dialogue, further pointing out that I being a college graduate and political thinker and frequent speaker at colleges am about the empowerment of asian americans and the debunking of negative stereotypes. The removal of fear and the honest cheerleading of young A/PI thinkers who are looking for a voice in american culture, and my intent is never to hurt or scar anyone. Further I pointed to the actual lyrics which we sang this night which were all about positive reinforcement and also about third world poverty and why it sucks and is enmeshed with the politics of corporate colonialism. no cocks in pussies, no sexual deviation (although I should remind you all that Penn State is the college where recently the female coach for the Lady Lions basketball team was quoted as saying she didn't want lesbians playing basketball on her team. Ummmmmmm. Anyone been to a women's basketball game recently? I dont know how many more mullets and flannel shirts you need to see lady before you take a hint. That's like saying I will not allow any fags in the ice skating team. Fer goodness sakes take a pill and concentrate on the game.) Anyways, all ye asian christians feelin righteous. Ask yourselves if it is you, or your parents, or your fear of your parents that have at the tender age of late teen/early 20s instilled this ultra conservative submission to and dogmatic assertion of concepts which actually serve to exclude other people (you know who i mean, fags, black people, non christians, people who use the f word) and keep you ghettoised in your stepford wives like world. And if after that you say, yes Kate I am indeed a jesus freak, I say let your freak flag fly high, remembering that there is room for all kinds of voices in the great A/PI choir and when we are working to a common goal of community and self empowerment, we can all sing different parts, respectfully, joyfully. I would continue on this point but I think you get it. And the jesus freak asian american community is certainly a sizeable population. Lyris pointed out that people who "convert" esp with colonial history are frequently the most vehement of zealots. This is a topic for another anthropologist. I just want to let all A/PIs know that we are about to gel now as a cultural movement and to get ready to speak up loud and proud, whatever kind of flag you fly.