Hey, everyone. Before you watch this new video…
I know some of you might see a video titled “Asians and Black Lives”, and think: I’m not Asian, or Black. So what does this have to do with me?
But you are all people. We are all people. And we are living in a world that sometimes asks us to forget that.
So this video is not just for Asians, or for Blacks. This video is to remind us that we are all someone - and that we are at our best, when we turn to each other, instead of turning on each other.
If you would like to help the conversation grow, please Like and Share this video on here, YouTube, Twitter, and email!
I never thought of my parents as pilgrims - they’re a scientist and a teacher. A father. A mother.
But I see these topics in the news - immigration, refugees, politics - and I realize: just like so many generations of men and women who have built this nation, my parents are immigrants.
So, this year, I’ve decided to give thanks for the new pilgrims that continue to bless America even as this country has welcomed us through the years.
#HappyThanksgiving.
After watching, please Comment and Share with your friends & family!!
LYRICS HERE: https://youtu.be/6g4KsRSHzD4
Words // jason chu
Sound & production // Benjamin To of The BAND WITH NO NAME Film Company
Visuals // Yohan Yoon
Location // Happy Days, Garden Grove CA (happydaysmenu.com)
Guitar // James Renes
At Yale, Mizzou, Wesleyan, and other campuses around the nation, this past week has seen a public outcry over students’ rights to safety and a racism-free community.
As a friend of these schools, I’m grieved and excited by this turn of events - grieved that there are those within the campus community would consider threatening violence against their fellow students; excited to see a public movement towards talking about race larger than any I’ve seen in my lifetime.
Inspired by these students, and hoping to add my voice to theirs, I wrote and recorded this track while on tour.
#MuchLove.
“Thug” parties with blackface costumes. “Oriental geisha” outfits and “Indian” headdresses. Halloween is no excuse for ignorance. Race is not a party. Culture is not a costume.
Meeting a new culture, the first thing we see is strange outfits, different customs, and weird foods. But underneath, we’re all human - and deserve to be treated like we are.
Words // jason chu
Director & Editor // Yohan Yoon
Cam Op // Lorraine Yang
Audio // Phoebe Ng
Thanks // Elliott Miller, Jon Moy, Fong Tran Poetry, Claudia Chen, Tiffany Leung.
Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, and other high-profile presidential candidates have been making hateful, xenophobic speeches and gimmicks aimed at our communities and families.
We couldn’t let this go without speaking up for the country we love, so some friends and I shot a spoken word video to remind everyone: nothing is more American than coming here from somewhere else.
I’d be honored if you took two minutes to watch. Please share it if you agree with this message, or want to help create discussion: that our voices and stories will not be mocked and silenced.
BOOKING BAY AREA SHOWS!!!!
Bay Area homies/organizations/schools: I am in your area from August 9-15!!!!
Got a school, community organization, church, or other event for me to rap/talk/lead a workshop at? Send me a message or email jasonchumusic at gmail dot com, and let’s talk.
#MuchLove.
Please don’t repost this work anywhere else, or remove artist comments!
I’ve finished the first 8 pages of my graphic novel, Spells for Spirits, LLP., and am posting them for you guys to read. :)
The little sister Wendy making some dope ass comic art!!!!!!!! Check it out!!!
THEY WON’T SHOOT ME (I am not Freddie Gray): a spoken reflection.
As with many of you, my heart has been aching for this nation.
It is a long ache, and not one that will go away. Not as long as our eyes are open, and our hearts warm.
It is tempting to ignore the pain, to live our lives simply thankful that it is not my brother lying on the autopsy table, my community being torn apart.
But then, I remember: it IS my brother.
This IS our community.
And so we speak.
-j
A Reflection on March 23
Over the past few years, my birthday has become a small exercise in giving up.
Let me explain.
Yall know I love people: meeting new friends, listening to their stories. I love sharing thoughts, building, hearing people’s hearts and hurts and dreams. Your dreams.
As a musician, 1000% of my energy goes to gathering people together in community: and striving to be a voice of hope in, of, and for that community.
But over the past few years - since Beijing - I’ve started stepping back every March 23rd. Instead of practicing gathering, engaging, and energizing - like every other day - I let go. My life is loud and on the move; on my birthday, I try (step by step) to learn quiet. Stillness.
Each date is another opportunity to remember who I’ve been on previous ones: 3/23/2009 in New Haven at Sushi Palace with the homies. 3/23/2011 in Beijing when Nate and I went to that sample sale at Joyce’s company and I bought the jean jacket I still wear today (the one I wore in MARVELS).
And the beat goes on - Where will I be on 3/23/2016? 2017? 2027? Who will I be - and where will the journey lead me?
On March 23, 2014, ask me and I would never have dared to say half of what this past year brought. The places I’ve been, the people I’ve met, and most of all the stories we’ve been able to tell together. The songs, the shows, the adventures.
I guess what I’m trying to say is: I had a happy birthday yesterday. Thanks to everyone around me who’s listened, watched, and let a Chinese kid from Delaware speak with them.
-j
