Voices of the Unheard A Youth Zine against Violence and Oppression
Anthology: 2013-2015
Cover Illustration
Jennifer Lam
Zine Title
Sheila Nguyen, Alisa Le
Editor
David Ke
Graphic Designer
Jennifer Lee
YEP Program Staff
Trisha Mah Youth Education Coordinator Robert Le Outreach and Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Ho Director of Education and Outreach
Contact
trisha@atask.org 617-338-2350, ext. 231 www.atask.org
The Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) is a group of Asian American youth committed to ending domestic/dating violence, and all other inequalities and oppression that exist in society. The YEP program is run by the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK), a Boston-area nonprofit organization with a mission to prevent domestic violence and to provide hope to survivors by providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services and education.
Voices of the Unheard is an anti-violence, anti-oppression zine created by YEP Youth. The work comprised in this zine very made possible by the following groups.
After School 2013-2014 Jennifer Lam Anita Le Jeffrey Lee Sabrina Tan Stephanie Wu Summer 2014 Cindy Bui Anthony Dang Minh Do Dachao Kuang Kevin Le Kim Phan Minh Trinh After School 2014-2015 Alissa He Thao Ho Gavin Hui Khang Le David Liu Vicky Nguyen Kimberly To Angela Wang Link Zhu Summer 2015 Musnad Alam Lina Huang Wen Hao Jiang Sonny Mei Lisa Pham Manjot Singh Jonathan Tsang
After School 2013-2014
Jennifer Lam Anita Le Jeffrey Lee Sabrina Tan Stephanie Wu
By: Jeffrey Lee People: 1: “Where were you?” 2: “I was…” 1: “You’re always making me wait for you. It’s like you don’t love me the way I love you.” 2: “I do love you it’s just…” *smack* 2: *falls to ground* 1: “I’m doing this because I love you.”
It’s incidents like these that no one says a thing about. Whether you know them or not, if it’s happening on the street or in your own home, doing nothing is not going to change the horrible situation people go through. When something like this happens, don’t tell yourself that someone else is going to help, meaning you don’t need to. If you step up to help then others would follow, and courage like this help to end abuse world-wide. 1: “Where were you?” 2: “I was…” 1: “You’re always making me wait for you. It’s like you don’t love me the way I love you.” 2: “I do love you it’s just…” *smack* 2: *falls to ground* 3: “HEY! What are you doing, hurting that innocent person?” 4: “Yea, that’s not cool brah. I don’t think you’d like to get hit do you?” 1: “Hey, they brought this onto themselves, and this ain’t your business anyway.” 5: “This isn’t only your business either. You don’t own them, and you never can. 1: “Oh, man. I’m terribly sorry. Can you ever forgive me? 2: “No, we’re done.”
By: Sabrina Tan
By: Stephanie Wu
By: Jennifer Lam
Summer 2014
Cindy Bui Anthony Dang Minh Do Dachao Kuang Kevin Le Kim Phan Minh Trinh
I Once Dreamed By: Kevin Le I once dreamed of a world, a world where “race” wasn’t a thing, and freedom was everything. a world where people didn’t care who you were or what you were. I once dreamed of a world where there were no laws because that place was already full of flaws. I wanted to live there, I wanted to stay there because everything there was equally fair I once dreamed of a woman a woman who walked a never ending road full of pain and sorrow a woman who found true love but later ends up with true fear. I once dreamed of a woman a woman who looked tired because society is not helping her I wanted to reach out and be there for her but then I notice, where is everyone else? Far in the distance I also see a man a man who also walked a never ending road full of pain and sorrow But there was something different This man seems to have his ways I thought to myself, this must be his lucky day. He didn’t look tired, he didn’t looked ashamed because society is helping him lose this shame I wanted to reach out and be there for him but wait, isn’t this already happening in reality?
We as a Youth By: Kevin Le We as a Youth start out strong Not by ourselves, but with our peers All we need are the right gears and these gears are YOU finding ways to help benefit the world, Makes you shine like true gold taking small steps like this is the beginning the beginning of every youth’s life We as a Youth need to take daily actions finding ways to be helpful and not waste a day Many adults say we aren’t strong but what they say is completely wrong See us as mere childs you may but treating us like one is not okay kids we are, but we are more than that for we are strong Youths We as a Youth can make changes by helping communities one step at a time, this will surely make you and I shine!
Types of Violence By: Anthony Dang
Verbal Violence
Financial Violence
Physical Violence
Cultural Violence
Sexual Violence
By: Cindy Bui Her Story Love. I love him. When I first met the guy of my dreams I tried everything to impress him So I spoiled him and bought him everything But only so the world can know That he belonged to me. Only me. We often argue over small little things He wants to hang out with people Who are trying to steal him away from me They spread lies about me. Calling me crazy, manipulative or possessive. But why can’t they see? That I love him and I’m doing it so he can stay Suddenly he is slipping out of my grasp Starting to believe all the lies. Being blinded by those other people Everything in my world is crashing Nothing is going my way, the right way Tears are falling from his eyes and he’s back away Away from me, from us, from my love. I can’t let him leave me, broken and in pieces. I love him. So I lie. I told him if he left, I would die. It worked and he stayed But only more pain ensures as time passed. I didn’t know my love was abuse. But now, I know.
By: Cindy Bui HIS STORY Love. I love her. When we met, it was so perfect She made me feel loved and amazing She even bought me loads of gifts Watches, game tickets, clothes, and even a smartphone that she pays for with no complaints At first everyone said we were the perfect pair However that changed after that day. The guys and I decided to go watch a movie Not thinking it mattered I went to the theater without telling her about it She called and texted constantly, asking who I was watching the movie with, and why I wasn’t answering She was waiting for me when I got home. Her face twisted into one of fury and it scared me She threw our lamp, and it shattered as it hit the wall. I duck in fear of getting hit. She then hugged me and apologized promising never again The scene of her apologizing keeps repeating itself As our relationship continues I love her, but I want to leave. One day, I confessed my feelings hoping for the best. She ran into the kitchen and grabbed a knife. It glinted as she held it to her neck If you leave I’ll kill myself she said It will be all your fault she said I love you she said I love her, so I stay I can’t leave, I can’t smile sincerely anymore. All I can hope for is that one day the spark will return. The princess I was searching for will come back. She never does. I didn’t know her love was abuse. But now I know.
“End of the Cycle” A Minh Trinh Production
https://youtu.be/D1NSOhdNuw8
By: Kim Phan
After School 2014-2015
Alissa He Thao Ho Gavin Hui Khang Le David Liu Vicky Nguyen Kimberly To Angela Wang Link Zhu
A David Liu Production
https://youtu.be/CgMgV2sqL8E
I am a Woman
Why? Because I want to. Why? Because I feel like it. Why? Because it's my choice. Why do people ask why? Ask why not instead. Why not wear that dress My dress is not a yes Why not be the boss Boss them around Why not be the rebel Be the person who rebels Why not be the man? I am the man. Because I am a woman.
-Khang Le
By: Vicky Nguyen
By: Angela Wang
By: Alissa He
By: Kimberly To
By: Thao Ho
By: Gavin Hui My Voice Doesn’t Matter Who am I? What does my race mean, How can I be ignored, When will I speak, Why don’t I matter. Why does my friend’s opinion mean more. Why can he speak the whole time. Why is everyone listening to him. Why does my race matter but not his. Who is my friend? My friend is WHITE! I am not. I will never have the power. I will always listen. But I don’t want that, My feeling matters! My voice matters! My mind matters! My race matters! I matter and I will not stop!
Summer 2015
Musnad Alam Lina Huang Wen Hao Jiang Sonny Mei Lisa Pham Manjot Singh Jonathan Tsang
By: Lisa Pham
By: Jonathan Tsang
By: Musnad Alam
By: Manjot Singh
By: Wen Hao Jiang
In U.N., August 18, 2240 The unanimous Declaration of all nations on Earth, When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to absolve past conflicts and unite under a greater cause. We humans as a species have plagued ourselves and others throughout history with oppression, warfare, and destruction. In our evanescent history on Earth, we managed to destroy the Planet that other species have lived on for elongated times. In the said Course, much of humankind has also suffered oppression through the hands of the more privileged due to racism, sexism, heterosexism, cisgenderism colorism, ableism lookism, sizeism, classism, nativism, ageism, colonialism, all of which are upheld by structural violence and institutional tolerance. We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all human beings are created equal, regardless of their race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any form of self-expression, that they are endowed with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, the U.N. is implemented to prevent further oppression of any People. Through the collaboration of the Representatives of each country, let Facts be submitted to a candid and equal world. -
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All country borders are hereby abolished and any undocumented citizens may now be documented without facing consequences of deportations or imprisonment. The wealthier individuals will now pay a justifiable tax in order to equitize the rest of the human population until every human on Earth has equal opportunities and distribution to water, food, education, and housing. Women will no longer be subjugated to sexism in any form in any environment. Advertisements that encourage any form of Rape Culture will be banned and the advertiser’s establishment will be fined or shut down. Rape will now be punished by life in prison. Rapists must be held accountable by law enforcement regardless of their gender. In cases
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where consent wasn’t able to be given due to the victim’s state (intoxicated or voluntarily under the influence of drugs), the victim has the right to prosecute and the offender will face a fair trial and be required to take a class about consent. It is legally required for any citizen of this planet to be an active bystander when a crime is being committed. Any form of passiveness will be legally held accountable. Social justice is now a required course for any high school student. All employee wages must be made public to ensure no discrimination of any kind based on the identity of the employee. Any slurs targeting any part of an individual’s identity will be fined accordingly.
In every stage of the mentioned Oppressions, many have petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms and some in most violent terms. Regardless, their centuries of petitions have only been by repeated j injury by those in power. Today is the day their petitions come into fruition as the representatives of all Earthly countries come together in peace and sign this sacred agreement. We, therefore, the Representatives of all Earthly nations on Earth, in U.N., Assembled, appealing to all good citizens of this planet for the rectitude of our intentions do solemnly publish and declare, that no Nation shall ever suffer the injustice of colonialism; that no citizen of this planet shall ever be deprived of equal opportunities and resources; that no human being shall be belittled or oppressed based on any part of their identity; that the Sacred Union of individuals will not be prohibited by any law for any reason; that free speech voicing even the most unpopular opinions will be encouraged, for that is the only way towards Progress and Advancement; that all human beings will develop their righteous virtues and here forth live in harmony with one another as brother and sisters regardless of their skin color, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, or any other characteristics or expressions.
DENIM DAY DENIM DAY is an anti-rape, anti-violence, anti-victim blaming campaign, using denim jeans as a creative protest tool to fight against rape and violence in our communities and our world. It’s a time to remember that all people have the right to live life without sexual violence, without domestic violence, and without the fear of either, that we all have the ability to fight for that right.
Acknowledgements
Featured Denim patches created by:
Jennifer Lam Sabrina Tan Vicky Nguyen Alissa He Kimberly To
We would also like to thank: ATASK Staff members and Board Members ATASK Community Leadership Council Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Massachusetts Coalition of Occupational Safety and Health Vietnamese American Initiative for Development Ashmont Grill Barlow’s Restaurant b. good Boston Burger Company Greenhills Traditional Irish Bakery Saigon Seafood
This project was supported by Grant No. 2014-X0540-MA-CY and Grant No. 2012-WM-AX-K005 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
Support YEP youth as we work to end domestic violence and oppression! Consider buying one out our youth-designed buttons. Click here to see our Amazon wish list and support our annual anti-violence Denim Day campaign.
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