conference numbah two.

last week through saturday i was lucky enough to attend the 22nd annual students of color conference.  i was raised in a dense, ethnically diverse place where my racial identity was part of the economic and political majority.  the issue of power is far more uncomfortable to confront when perched from a position of privilege distanced from the reality of subjugated minorities, especially if you fail to understand the extent of your societal advantages, rely on an academic perspective to inform your opinions, or neglect to recognize that the context relevant to you isn't the paradigm.  just because i was part of the majority at one time doesn't mean i am now---nor does it mean i didn't have culturally (or more accurately a lack thereof) biased values imposed upon my identity as a woman of color.  i sought education on basic Islamic principles and fundamentalist religion, embraced my pacific islander lineage as part of a heritage i need to pass on to the children i've yet to have, and reaffirmed my stride towards progressively higher degrees.

what a delight it was to share an intellectual sphere with:

the bright-eyed, open-minded.

pinkys up.

the kanaka spotlight.

hands in the air like you just totally care.

the only redeeming aspect of an ick ellensburg mexican restaurant.  (good salsa though)

aaaaand...

a beautiful concept.

this guy, who was part of a samoan performance group (that made me nostalgic for my own polynesian sea rock), presented wonderfully sentimental guidance from his mother in the form of the six B's:
be grateful - if anyone asks how your day is going, it's thumbs up great.
be smart - point to the source of your knowledge.
be clean - remember which finger touches the water first.
be true - there is strength in the symbolism of commitment.
be humble - the smallest finger keeps yo' fist in check (i kinda made that one up).
be prayerful - palms touched represent earnest hope regardless of religious connotation.
----

i will never be what you want to see now. i never wanted you to go, but i'd be the last to let you know.