1/24/13: API Mental Health: Onipa’a (Steadfast), Joshua, and Wounds We Carry

[audio http://archives.kpfa.org/data/20130124-Thu1900.mp3]

Download the audio by clicking here.

On this installment of APEX Express:

Queen Lili’uokalani (Source: Hawaii Cultural & Spiritual Services Center)

January 17th marked the 120th anniversary of the illegal overthrow of Hawaiian Queen Lili’uokalani.   APEX Contributor Robynn Takayama attends the commemoration event where she spoke with Paul Kealoha Blake about the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement and its connection with Idle No More.

Contributor R.J. Lozada brings us two pieces that add to the important discussion of mental health. Lozada brings in author and psychiatrist, Ravi Chandra, M.D., to further contextualize these stories.

Joshua Castro (Source: E. Chen)

Joshua, 32, remembers telling his mother that he no longer wanted to live at 5 years old. This was Joshua’s first memory of his depression and ideations of suicide,  which he still battles with today. R.J. Lozada presents an audio profile on Joshua, from receiving emergency psychiatric care, to what keeps him going, Joshua shares his insights on how this deeply personal struggle is shared with his family, his friends, and his communities.

Khmer Rouge Tribunals (Source: Wounds We Carry, M. Siv)

Michael Siv’s film, Wounds We Carry, follows a small group of Cambodian Americans who set out to observe the Khmer Rouge trials.  Siv, who was the subject of Refugee (dir. Spencer Nakasako), is now behind the camera in this compelling exploration of historical trauma, resilience, and justice. In this interview, Siv highlights some of his experiences and realizations that hit close to his soul.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

• On January 24th, from 6:30 – 8:00PM, join Kearny Street Workshop and Slice of Mooncake: SF Asian Literature Club, at the Arc Studios & Gallery for a community reception with Angie Chau, author of Quiet As They Come. Ms. Chau will read from her collection of short stories centered on Vietnamese immigrant life in the United States and their pursuit of the “American Dream.” http://www.facebook.com/events/448673698519513/

• On January 26, 2013, the National Japanese American Historical
  Society (NJAHS) will present an exhibit of JAM posters from the
  NJAHS collection. 30 to 40 posters will be shown. Curating the show
  will be Rich Tokeshi and Leon Sun, ably assisted by Pete Yamamoto. Join them at the NJAHS, 1684 Post St. near Buchanan, in San Francisco.  For more details, please contact Rich Tokeshi at (415) 418-0441

• The Fred T. Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education is excited to celebrate Korematsu Day 2013 by honoring 16 American civil rights heroes who’ve been long overlooked (see list below). This will be a historic gathering of civil rights heroes and the descendants of heroes who have passed on.The event also features celebrity emcee DANNY GLOVER, actor, community activist and humanitarian, as well as a special performance by American Idol star and international recording artist JASMINE TRIAS.WHEN: Sunday, January 27, 2013. 1:00pm VIP reception with honorees, 2:30-4:30pm program
  WHERE: Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102
  TICKETS: Available for purchase at: http://bit.ly/kdayheroestix
  $100 VIP reception with honorees + program admission
  $25 program general admission
  $10 senior (65+)/student/youth admission
  WEB SITE: http://FredKorematsuDayHeroes.org/
  MORE INFO: email info@korematsuinstitute.org or call 415-848-7737