cedbrownsaid 12:46 am on April 17, 2021

Literary Solidarity.

Stop bigotry and hate crimes against Asian Pacific Americans. Full stop. And against anyone in general.

Moving to the West Coast years ago broke me out of the Black-and-white population paradigm that I’d grown up with. Reading was a gateway to eagerly learn more about my new APA neighbors in community. Here are some of my favorite books, in no particular order, by Asian Pacific American authors from over the years.

There is no list without this dynamic duo to start it. The Joy Luck Club was published the same year that I moved the the Bay Area; its San Francisco setting felt like a personal primer for me. Groundbreaking at the time, JLC is now a modern literary classic. Tan’s follow up, Kitchen God’s Wife, was also an entertaining Part II of sorts.

Continue reading →

cedbrownsaid 1:31 pm on February 6, 2021

The Shape of My Heart.

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of THE SHAPE OF BLACKNESS, my first co-produced visual art exhibition!!

SHAPE is a virtual group show of South African and US artists whose work aims to comment on contemporary Blackness in our respective nations.

This project builds on my longtime dream of curating a visual art show. I’ve had a terrific experience learning from my co-producers and curators, Odysseus Shirindza, the super-creative director of Gallery MOMO Johannesburg and a designer in his own right, and my long-time collaborator Trevor Parham, the visionary founder of Oakstop, which hosts the exhibition website.

SHAPE is underwritten in part by the Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity as an extension of my 2019-20 fellowship.

If so moved, please join the conversation by leaving a comment on the SHAPE website. Happy viewing and Happy Black History Month!

Details from 9 of the 11 artists.
Click on photo to see the exhibition website.

cedbrownsaid 2:45 pm on December 31, 2020

Little Things, Big Deal.

The closing of 2020 evokes Toni Morrison’s refrain from the closing chapter of Beloved:

This is not a story to pass on.

And yet, among all the other lessons learned this year by trial and fire, we know that beauty and grace exist in our everyday midst, regardless of any larger turmoil that simmers or rages.

These original photos, all snapped on my phone, serve to remind me of that.

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cedbrownsaid 1:29 am on November 11, 2020

On That Day.

on that saturday morning
still early by weekend standards
the whoops of joy &
insistent, incessant toots of celebration
underscored maybe by a shared sense of relief &
a rebounding from disbelief &
an end to the nervous tension of dayslong counting
Grew louder as the sun continued its arc across the smiling sky
into the evening until we rested
newly hopeful for tomorrow

cb2020

Yes, this is the actual audio–nothing dubbed!

cedbrownsaid 9:44 pm on June 7, 2020

Mood: Keep Me.

One of the things that I do to get centered is listen to Keep Me, a gorgeous tune from my gorgeous friend, Derek Lassiter. Every time, I breathe deeply and savor the mood and message of this beautiful song.

Derek is an incredible singer, songwriter, and musician. Check out the full album, Witness, as well as equally-inspiring Music Outside, where you may hear a familiar voice!

cedbrownsaid 9:08 am on May 9, 2019

Thursday Is Words Day

Yikes! I’m behind on reporting on my reading, so here’s a catch up! More to come!

Maybe my Q1 favorite! Love her detail, determination, & connection to Oaktown!

One of my self-education textbooks. Brilliance in color.

By my frat brother Ivory Toldson. YES to reclaiming our narratives & research!

cedbrownsaid 2:05 pm on April 28, 2019

Mark Harris

These paintings are from an earlier era of Mark Harris’ work, inspired by a trip to the Lassen Volcanic National Park in northeastern California. The serenity of these acrylic paintings are in direct contrast to his later series of powerful collages exposing racism and imperialism. Mark is a San Francisco-based artist.