PROJECT TITLE
STORIES OF SOLIDARITY
Global Majority Unity Throughout History
THE ISSUE
The objective of this project is to explore a history of shared oppression and encourage the interrogation of our own internal biases while also lifting up stories of resilience, growth, and evolution. Communities of color are not often reminded of or encouraged to build our own stories of solidarity together. Racist rhetoric has been reinforced throughout the pandemic, and we are instead often unwittingly focused on white supremacist narratives about ourselves and others.
However, our histories show time and again that our People of the Global Majority communities have banded together both nationally, and within local communities here in Colorado, to support each other and fight for a more equitable world.
We are looking for personal and historical stories, big and small that demonstrate ways our communities have worked together, learned from one another, stood up for each other, and fought side by side in Colorado.
We are currently focused on the Denver Historic JA (Japanese American) Experience with a Call for Stories from the Five Points neighborhood.
In partnership the Mile High Japanese American Citizens League, and with support from the JACL Legacy Fund Grant program, we are seeking to share YOUR stories, factual data and first-person perspectives through interviews and historical examples from life in Five Points/Clayton/the Nihonmachi Larimer Corridor/Manual High School. We are especially interested in stories that reflect stories of solidarity or intersectionality between Japanese and other communities of color.
We would love to chat with you. Please feel free to share your stories here, or reach-out to schedule a time for us to chat with you via ZOOM, by phone, or (safely) in-person Too many stories for this one form to contain? Feel free to email us instead so we can schedule a longer time to chat: StoriesOfSolidarityCO@gmail.com.
THE ORIGINAL PROJECT
Stories of Solidarity aims to showcase the strength and resilience that exists when BIPOC communities unite These stories exist throughout our history but are not widely known to the public. Our project recognizes that we have shared experiences of systemic racism in this country and implores us to understand that we are stronger together.
We aim to gather stories of solidarity within the BIPOC communities in Colorado, share these stories and those found throughout history with BIPOC artists and creatives to educate them, and promote and share these stories with the wider community - both online and in-person.
THE ORIGINAL TEAM
The original team behind this grassroots project was Joie Ha, Courtney Ozaki, Stephanie Tanny, and Bruce Tetsuya - several Asian American leaders that grew up in Denver, Colorado.
We were discouraged by the rising tensions between communities that are often highlighted by the media, and continue to endeavor to change the narrative. This program partners with other organizations that have similar values and interests. We are still always seeking to diversify our team to include other BIPOC community leaders and creatives - please reach-out to us if you are interested in being a part of this work: storiesofsolidarityco@gmail.com.
Stories of Solidarity is Fiscally Sponsored by
