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USO'S ON FREEWAYS: An Anthology of Pacific Islander Writers from/in the Continental United States
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USO'S ON FREEWAYS: An Anthology of Pacific Islander Writers from/in the Continental United States
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 9:05am
**Submission Deadline: January 15, 2010***
The anthology publishers seek writings by Pacific Islanders who trace their ancestry from Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia and have migrated to and/or are from the Continental United States.
“Uso” is a popularly used Samoan term denoting "homie," “sis,” or “bro”—words that express a relation and community that we seek to strengthen in creating and disseminating this anthology. Uso, expressed by younger generations, is gender inclusive and redefines traditional formalities in language and meaning, much like the diverse contributions we anticipate. “USO” also fits as an acronym for U.S. Oceania, a play on words that asks countless questions about what it means to be Oceanic/Pacific Islander in/from the United States.
The freeway is an infrastructure particular to the U.S. experience of Oceania people as they drive to work, visit relatives and ride the Greyhound bus from state to state. This anthology suggests a freeway—or freewave—where the diverse writings become vehicles of great creative power that will awaken and inform readers to the multiple and complex histories and narratives of this specific set of diasporic Oceanic/Pacific Islander people.
We encourage Oceanic/Pacific Islander people who are from the Continental U.S. but now reside elsewhere in the Oceanic diaspora or were deported back to the homeland, to send submissions.
Submissions Process
We will accept poetry, short stories, one-act plays, essays, and excerpts from novels or memoirs. Previously published work will be accepted as long as you retain the copyrights and provide information on where the work was previously published (name of periodical, date and volume).
Along with your work, please submit a Cover Page with your name, titles of submitted work, the date of submission and your contact information (mailing address, e-mail, and phone number)
Additionally, please include a Photo and your Author Biography. No more than 200 words, your Biography should include your island / cultural identity and your locations(s) and/or migration(s) in the continental U.S. and/or in the greater diaspora.
E-Mail Submissions: Send your Submission, Cover Page, and Biography as a single Word doc or PDF file by Janurary 15, 2010 to the editors, Fuifuilupe Niumeitolu, Loa Niumeitolu, and Craig Santos Perez at uspacificanthology@gmail.com. Please attach photo as a jpg.
The submissions will be blind-reviewed by a panel of writers and editors.
Notifications and Queries: We will get back to you with a decision within three to six months. If you haven’t heard from us by then, it’s because we still work on island time even though we live in the U.S. So e- mail us for the status of your submission.
Copies: Each author whose work is accepted for publication will receive 1 copy of the anthology.
COME ON...SUBMIT YOUR WORK!!!
2:00-4:30 p.m.
Marlborough Public Library
35 West Main Street Marlborough MA 01752
Bigelow Auditorium
For More Info Contact: David
509-624-6900
dmackenzie@cwmars.org
Demonstration by the Worcester Youth Poetry Slam and other area poets.
http://worcesteryouthslam.com/
http://www.marlboroughpubliclibrary.o
Real proud of all the poems they accepted, but the last one is my personal favorite.
will read from their recently released collections from Write Bloody Publishing:
The Constant Velocity of Trains, Lea Dechanes
City of Insomnia, Victor Infante
In Search of Midnight, Mike McGee
Day: Saturday August 15
Location: Marlborough Public Library, Bigelow Auditorium
35 West Main Street Marlborough MA 01752
Email contact: dmackenzie@cwmars.org
Time 11:30 AM
will read from their recently released collections from Write Bloody Publishing:
The Constant Velocity of Trains, Lea Dechanes
City of Insomnia, Victor Infante
In Search of Midnight, Mike McGee
Day: Saturday August 15
Location: Marlborough Public Library, Bigelow Auditorium
35 West Main Street Marlborough MA 01752
Email contact: dmackenzie@cwmars.org
Time 11:30 AM
Looking to Mythology and Legend: Join poet Dave Keali’i: The goal of this workshop is to utilize the rich tradition of world mythology and legend in poetry. While Greek and Roman mythology is a vast mine, there is a whole world out there that can be explored. Participants are encouraged to keep an open mind and respectfully consider what other pantheons, archetypes and legend may be discovered.
The second workshop meets on Sunday July 19 from 2-4PM and will specifically look at different pantheons to see what participants can come up with. In other words, think outside the Parthenon.
These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Worcester Cultural Commission, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, as well as Ballard Street Poetry Journal and Worcester County Poetry Association.
All workshops are free w/a suggested donation of $3-5.
This series is held at the Worcester County Poetry Association
1 Ekman Street, Quinsigamond Village, Worcester.
To register e-mail editor@ballardstreetpoetryjournal.com
Heather J. Macpherson, Editor
Ballard Street Poetry Journal
http://www.ballardstreetpoetryjournal.co
Bio: for the last 7 years Dave has been a part of the Massachusetts poetry scene, writing and reading his own work. He has spent 5 of those years as the co-host of two poetry readings. His poems have appeared in Ballard Street Poetry Journal, The November 3rd Club, Breadcrumb Scabs and are forthcoming in ‘Oiwi: A Native Hawaiian Journal and Mythium: Literary Journal. He is rumored to have gained political control over the islands of Tuvalu, Rarotonga, and Raiatea. He has yet to deny or confirm such claims.
Looking to Mythology and Legend: Join poet Dave Keali’i: The goal of this workshop is to utilize the rich tradition of world mythology and legend in poetry. While Greek and Roman mythology is a vast mine, there is a whole world out there that can be explored. Participants are encouraged to keep an open mind and respectfuly consider what other pantheons, archetypes and legend may be discovered.
The second workshop meets on Sunday July 19 from 2-4PM and will specifically look at different pantheons to see what participants can come up with. In other words, think outside the Parthenon.
These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Worcester Cultural Commission, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, as well as Ballard Street Poetry Journal and Worcester County Poetry Association.
All workshops are free w/a suggested donation of $3-5.
This series is held at the Worcester County Poetry Association
1 Ekman Street, Quinsigamond Village, Worcester.
To register e-mail editor@ballardstreetpoetryjournal.com
Heather J. Macpherson, Editor
Ballard Street Poetry Journal
http://www.ballardstreetpoetryjournal.co
Bio: for the last 7 years Dave has been a part of the Massachusetts poetry scene, writing and reading his own work. He has spent 5 of those years as the co-host of two poetry readings. His poems have appeared in Ballard Street Poetry Journal, The November 3rd Club, Breadcrumb Scabs and are forthcoming in ‘Oiwi: A Native Hawaiian Journal and Mythium: Literary Journal. He is rumored to have gained political control over the islands of Tuvalu, Rarotonga, and Raiatea. He has yet to deny or confirm such claims.
Sunday, May 24: The top finishers on will represent Worcester at the 2009 Nationals
being held in West Palm Beach, FL in August. Join us as Liz Heath, Trevor Byrne-Smith, Cowboy Matt, Danny Balel, Dave Keali'i, Danielle, Aslan King and McKendy compete in four rounds of poetic mayhem. It's bound to be a hot night with great poetry and top rate performances from everyone. Come join in the fun at Jumpin' Juice and Java (335 Chandler Street, Worcester). The reading starts at 6:00 p.m. No cover; please throw some money in the bucket to support the slam team.http://www.poetsasylum.org

A federal judge in Brownsville, TX issued an order today granting the federal government's request to condemn the ancestral land of the Tamez Family, who are Lipan Apaches. Although this land has been in the Tamez family prior to the Spanish colonization, and also designated to them through Spanish Crown law (1767, as of today, it is in the possession of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
The landowner, Eloisa Tamez, heard about Judge Hanen’s order while participating in the Western Social Sciences Association Conference in Albuquerque, where she was participating in a Three part panel: "Indigenous People's and the U.S.-Mexico Border: Militarization, Resistance, and Rights." She is with a group of colleagues from several bi-national Indigenous Border communities and experts on militarization and the impact of the border wall.
The Tamez family reports that this is an urgent situation which needs international attention and wide press coverage.
Opportunities for press interviews will be held at the WSSA Conference location, at the Hyatt Regency in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 330 Tijeras NW, following the panel discussions below.
Panel II Friday April 17 8:00am-9:30am Sendero Room 1 “Militarization”
Panel III Friday April 17th 2:45pm-4:15pm Sendero Room 2 “Resistance”
Contacts:
Cynthia Bejarano 575-571-7359
April Cotte acotte@igc.org
*******
This is another great case of US colonial law striping Native people of their rights.
For more context on this issue head over to: Indigenous Politics from Native New England and Beyond for an interview with Eloisa's daughter Margo.
Johnny, _Watermelon Nights_ by Greg Sarris
***
Ever read something that just pops out at you? This is one for me. I wish I had read that 10 or 9 years ago. Something to keep in the back of my head ... because that is exactly what I've been looking for.
One of the reasons I embrace my Hawaiianess (for lack of a better word), the part of me that is `Oiwi is because the culture was/is rooted in acceptance. In the old days, and as late as the mid 1800's, my loving men would not have been a huge deal. Some of you have heard a poem I used to do about that very issue. It is telling that there is not equivalent of the word "faggot" in the Hawaiian language.
Part of why I identify so strongly as Hawaiian-Kanka-`oiwi is because as a Hawaiian I can be a whole person. This issue of sexuality has not always been an issue.
That's changed over the course of 200+ years of Western contact and Christianization. This is evident via the photos of the protests against civil-unions in the sate of Hawaii. So many showed up. So many of the people listed as speaking or in photographs were listed as having Hawaiian names. The color of the shirts worn by those opposed to civil-unions was red. The same color of the shirts worn FOR Hawaiian rights and sovereignty.
James Baldwin mentioned that he could handle attacks and criticism from white Americans, but to experience the same from Blacks was more than he could bear.
For me gay-rights and Hawaiian sovereignty are entwined. It wasn't just our land, government and culture that was colonized; our bodies and self-image were colonized also.
As a side note: for me identity is not a static thing, but something always changing and growing. The way I see my self as a gay, Hawaiian, as American is always evolving. How couldn't it?
Links to full articles are in the headlines.
Hawaiians turn to tradition for help in ceded-lands fight
About 300 people supporting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' position on ceded lands gathered from 4 a.m. today at the state Capitol and held a series of chants and prayers.
The action was part protest against the Lingle administration, part calling on the kupuna, or ancestors, to help them fight the appeal.
***
State, OHA argue over ceded lands before U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — Hawaii Attorney General Mark Bennett asked the U.S. Supreme Court today to overturn a state court decision blocking the state from selling or transferring any of 1.2 million acres of former Hawaiian monarchy lands it manages.
The court is expected to issue an opinion in the case before its term ends on June 30.
***
By Associated Press
POSTED: 11:51 a.m. HST, Feb 25, 2009
WASHINGTON >> A congressional resolution apologizing for the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893 does not strip the state of its authority to sell or transfer any of about 1.2 million acres of land, Hawaii Attorney General Mark Bennett told the U.S. Supreme Court today.
This is an op-ed piece I posted in my face book as well: http://www.starbulletin.com/columnists/o
Hawaiians hold their breath as high court takes up case
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 01, 2009
It is a wound that has not healed and its treatment becomes more vexing as more entities enter the picture.The wound is the process of Hawaii going from an independent kingdom to the 50th state.
How that happened is not in dispute, but what should be done still reverberates 116 years after the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani.
Hawaii entered the union with an estimated 1.8 million acres that were ceded to the United States in 1898 by the then Republic of Hawaii upon annexation.
When the U.S. admitted Hawaii, it said those lands would be a public trust for the support of public schools, for the betterment of the conditions of native Hawaiians, for the development of farm and home ownership, for making public improvements and for other public use.
This month the question of precisely who controls those lands plops down for the U.S. Supreme Court to answer.
( The rest of the article )</span> </div>
No cover; please throw some money in the bucket to support the features
and bring some money to buy a tasty beverage or something to eat.
In the West the land is productive if it is utilized to make money and support development. End of discussion.
Rarely is productivity viewed as support or self-sufficiency. It is never enough to produce what one needs and share what is extra. If a people are self-sufficient, if they produce what the need to survive, why are they viewed as letting land go to waste?
From my own readings on the colonization of the Pacific it becomes clear that Westerners have always assumed that the way land was utilized in Europe (pre-industrial, industrial and post industrial) is the best and only way land should be used.
Why does “progress” = destruction of resources, alteration of the land and profit only for a few?
**
Somewhere in the back of my head I believe there is a way to combine the individual and communal rights. History tells me otherwise. Native Americans, on the whole, have not benefited from individual rights. Individual rights do not adequately address a people who are trying to assert themselves as a culture. Individual rights do not adequately protect a people from cultural annihilation.
Why do you think so many movements work as a collection to bring change?
We may be individuals, but we come together to collectively move forward.
E, just thinking…
"You walked into my home as if it were your home. How, then, could I make you welcome?" - Jean-Marie Tjibaou, Kanak Independence Leader
Jean-Marie Tjibaou worked for the independence of Kanaky (aka New Caledonia) from French Colonial rule. I'm currently reading a book about him entitled: _Jean-Marie Tjibaou: Kanak Witness To The World, An Intellectual Biograpy_ by Eric Waddell.
Bone and nephrite carved into pendants
darkened over time from human oils.
This solid echo of tattoos from the homeland
was carried over waves, buoyed to star changes
lashed to (by) coconut fiber rope (twine).
In time only bone and ivory blossomed
in the mind of the carver.
This is what can be dedicated to the God
in this new land,
a fresh offering chiseled then polished.
A whales tooth held close to the neck
by chords of human hair points the prerogative
of sacred laws made flesh: Na Ali`i.
Today spirals are gone.
Instead, hooks tapered to degrees of fashion
recall islands fished out of
the sun slick ocean.
Some memories persist well over 15 generations:
This echo of tattoos remains nestled
deep in the memory of voyaging canoes.
The gift has morphed, found new materials
but remains essentially ours to cherish
to carry with us to new homes where
we well fish new islands, make new canoes.
I.
If you had heard the Idol
cry out in battle you would know
the full effect of feathers, shells and teeth
molded over a wicker frame
then imbued with sheer spiritual energy.
II.
The appearance of that Idol
predicated spears, stone axes
war clubs, flesh ripped apart.
III.
The God Snatched The Land.
IV.
Better to drown,
die in sleep, suffocate.
Better to be prayed to death
than feel the shriek of The God
along the edge of your spine.
V.
If you see his eyes while
in the hot-lurching belly of war,
prepare to leap back to the ancestors.
***
Comments, questions or suggestions welcome.
For example, you may not know what a siphon coffee maker is like, but now you can! The mild steam-punk geek in my went all orgasm over the thought of seeing one of these things in action.
All this because I had an espresso craving...

