In a conversation filled with wisdom, historical insight, and radical mercy, ALOK challenges us to value compassion over comprehension, to try harder for each other in the name of love, and reminds us that learning is a sign of being alive.We want your feedback on season 1. All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Alok Vaid-Menon for clients worldwide for more than 15 years. They've repressed their own creativity.". Diversity and inclusivity are not just industry buzzwords. In 2019 ALOK was invited to close the Business of Fashion Voices Conference with a keynote speech calling for the degendering of fashion and beauty industries. This list includes both allies and transgender and non-binary speakers who are passionate advocates for equity, inclusion, self-expression, and dismantling harmful stigma that affect the LGBTQ+ and gender non-conforming "Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful," asserts poet Rita Dove. But what I like about a wedding dance party is everyone is just being gnarly and foolish and playful. And so much of the formalization and consolidation of European-Western modernity was also a project of aesthetics and color. Transgender Model & Advocate; Founder of Gender Proud. Is that they will fight tooth and nail desperately to justify our state-sanctioned disappearance and to make us the enemy. At her funeral I had to dress as the man she wanted me to be. It was one and the same. Fill out a, Booking fees for Alok Vaid-Menon, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. Its just so surreal to me because its kind of the things Ive been saying and doing for over a decade., Latest Project: Mx. And people are saying thats a threat.". Beauty is about looking like yourself. The word artist is one of possibility, not constriction, they said. In this sculpture, the Buddhas right hand is depicted touching the ground as he calls the earth to witness his triumph over the demon Mara. Awaken is sponsored by Tricycle: The Buddhist Review, a print and digital magazine dedicated to making Buddhist teachings broadly available. Its the reason why I do the work that I do. Diversity and inclusivity are not just industry buzzwords. And I had to alchemize it and hack at it. And in so many ways, the enduring forms of harassment that I experience are the universe asking me this question over and over again. We speak with internationally acclaimed, gender non-conforming writer, performer, and public speaker Alok Vaid-Menon, whose work speaks to themes of trauma, belonging, and the human condition. That sense of safety, of trust, of legibility and coherence. As a full-service talent booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Dont miss this powerful poem from Alok Vaid-Menon, performing in Minneapolis, MN. This is not about erasing men and women but rather acknowledging that man and woman are two of manystars in a constellation that do not compete but amplify one anothers shine., This is actually the purpose of language to give meaning to concepts as they evolve.. I am proud to be part of a generation of artists who are challenging mainstream beauty and showing the world that niche is the new norm. in america!(i understand), the ways we have been taughtto apologize for our sadness.to blame ourselves for the hurt.to erase the violence.to numb the pain.to normalize the death.to wake up in the morning anddeny that sometimes when thetrain crawls into the station thatwe may see a pill in its place. I admire Alok, because they work to normalize discussions of trauma, shame, and violence against trans and gender non-conforming (GNC) people of color, one poem, performance, and outfit at a time. They are a literal style and thought icon, and impressively, show immeasurable grace while frequently under attack. And so I think I lost that fluidity. What kind of joy do I want to cultivate? I was no longer an individual. and some part of usis happy because this, this is the first time we havefelt like part of something greater than ourselves in a whilein this city where sometimes it takesan accident to remember what the purpose of abody is to begin with. WebBrowse 332 alok_vaid menon stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Anyone can read what you share. So color is part of that. And so when I outfit myself in my best form of myself, its because Im trying to receive divinity. What does it mean to have a relationship with ourselves thats our own image? poet. In her eyes my journey was about hurting her, not about healing myself. Goodreads helps you follow your favorite authors. To which I would ask, why wouldnt you do this? And that feels like a spiritual practice. All rights reserved. No one else should be able to tell you who you are; thats for you to decide., We want a world where boys can feel, girls can lead, and the rest of us can not only exist but thrive. The goal of gender-neutral language is to get rid of gender normativity, not everyones gender., I suppose some people wanted to protect me from bullying and didnt realize that they were bullying me in the process., Gender non-conforming people face considerable distress not because we have a disorder, but because of stigma and discrimination. I didnt have shame. WebDo you know who you are outside of who you have been told you should be? Alok Vaid-Menon generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. We deserve more options. so i want to embrace to this woman on the trainand say: i am afraid too say: remind me trustsay: sometimes this silence feels like the highest pitch of screaming. say: these past thirty minutes were the first time i have been forced to publicly grieve death in a long timeand there is somethingbeautiful about that say: what if we stopped moving more often, took a second to absorb the pain,let it fill us a little less empty. Every time Im feeling shame, I breathe into that location. Is this me? Web89 quotes from Alok Vaid-Menon: 'we have been taught to fear the very things that have the potential to set us free', 'Its not just that you internalize the shame; rather, it becomes Advertisement Coins. Why wouldnt you accept your own vibrancy and fluidity? They are the creator of #DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion and beauty industries. Is this my own gender? We thought fitting in would give us securitybut is it security when someone else living their life differently unsettles us to our very core?, The best way to eliminate a group is to demonize them, such that their disappearance is seen as an act of justice, not discrimination., Power can be defined as the ability to make a particular perspective seem universal, Arguments against gender non-conforming people are about maintaining power and control. And what I gained was my life back. Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Alok Vaid-Menon and other top speakers and celebrities. And then practice that. I feel like every day is an artistic and spiritual endeavor to be what is. say: i understand. Vaid-Menon is self-publishing a poetry book called Your Wound/My Garden. At the beginning of my career I was really concerned with detailing the nature of the wound that I had in the world, Mx. That sense of safety, of trust, of legibility and coherence. One of my favorite things was going to weddings and seeing intergenerational dancing. As a mixed-media artist their work explores themes of trauma, belonging, and the human condition. And so actually I had a relationship with my body that I am still trying to remember, which was, I just moved to communicate. But I dont know if thats honest about being alive. Gender-neutral language isnt about replacing an old norm with a new one. During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours. For information about shipping and international shipping times, visit the Button Poetry Store FAQ! Let's figure it out. These inspiring keynote Coming from many different backgrounds, these men and women are popular entertainers, athletes, models, and more. All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. (check all that apply). Know that you're divine. And I think that I still practice that commitment for better or for worse. That idea of the only witness necessary being the earth I think is really powerful to me, because I think that so much of what the dilemma of humanity is that were constantly trying to prove what already is. This writer and performance artist is fighting for a world where all people are able to self-determine their gender. Trans activist and actress Laverne Cox and actor Billy Porter both shared clips from the episode. We hope you enjoyed it. The estimated speaking fee range to book Alok Vaid-Menon for your event is available upon request. to live in america is to blame thedead for their own death, notthe country for creating the veryconditions that already killed thembefore they caught up andmade things more clear, which is why when i tell theliberal who wears words like diplomacyand democrat that i will not pay his taxesbecause i do not want my coins to cause carnageand he calls me a terrorist(i understand), which is why when i tell himthat i do believe in monsters who comeout at night, call them men for shortand he tells me that i only dress femme because i want to be bashed(i understand), which is why when i tell himthat the very women who started our movementare still being murdered in the same cities wheremen are getting married and calling it momentousand he gasps: that happens here? WebALOK they/them author. I really believe in the divinity of all of us, that we are souls first, bodies second. For more information about our guest and to see images of the artwork in this episode, visit RubinMuseum.org/awakenpod. What I recollect is a feeling of unbridled joy, a feeling of wonder, of the enormity and potentiality of my body and this universe and art. The fluid artist moves seamlessly among poetry, comedy, fashion and writing. Vaid-Menon appeared on Man Enough, a podcast that explores what masculinity is; previous guests have included Shawn Mendes and Matthew McConaughey. Next Thing: This month, Mx. And I am your host, Laurie Anderson. This podcast is supported by Barbara Bowman, the Ellen Bayard Weedon Foundation, the Prospect Hill Foundation, Bob and Lois Baylis and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Wayfarer Studios LLC. And then I ask it until I can remember that the shame was not my own. Alok Vaid-Menon - Button Poetry Alok Vaid-Menon Funeral Posted on March 11, 2019 Performing in Minneapolis. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage. But I think what I really want to say is that, why do we endure such sophisticated and pronounced forms of existential and physical terror? #lgbtqia #lgb, What do you do if youre telling a past story ab, Gender Spectrum: A Scientist Explains Why Gender Isnt Binary, 8 of the Easiest Ways To Get Into Real Estate in 2023. I used to love dancing, and I think dance was my first language. It became about being seen in a different way. In her eyes my journey was about hurting her, not about healing myself. Femme In Public (2017) is a collection of poetry by nonbinary artist Alok Vaid-Menon. We use these artworks as a jumping off point to better understand the paths our guests have been on and where they are going. What feminine part of yourself did you have to destroy in order to survive in this world? Diversity and inclusivity are not just industry buzzwords. But before we begin, Alok first shares their thoughts of a sculpture titled The Buddha Triumphing Over Mara. Like Im going to let a couple finish, but its the after-party for me. 0 coins. Atlanta-based company Mailchimp calls Aloks talk required viewing for the world and Cornell University uplifts Aloks presentation as truly life-saving work.. Theres a conviction in it. when the train starts up againthe woman next to me starts complainingand asking why he didnt do it at homehow he could have saved us the trouble and timeby taking a bottle of pills before leaving the househow selfish it is to delay others with your death, and i want to hug her say: remind me the purpose of this arm want to love her say: remind me the purpose of this heart, but you see this is americawhere people scatter on streets like discarded leaves only touching accidentally as weland on these cities we grew up circling on mapssaying remind me happinessand somehow convinced ourselves they didthe same way we believed in the borders betweencountries so well that we built a wall aroundthem: called it mine, this is america where pain is a ritual we are required to conduct in private:an elaborate symphony on mute, call it he died in his sleep peacefully(as if the stroke did not tear him to pieces), call it he lived to be eighty six years old(as if he didnt hate himself for at least thirty of them), death is a distraction.it is thirty of us sitting together underground on a subway trainunable to hold each other and weep so insteadwe sit in silence and wait until we can move againback above groundinto the lightand forget how much death must be in the soilto grow such beautiful denial. "Orange is the New Black" star Cox wrote, "@alokvmenon with the full sermon. And so freedom for me is a daily practice, and its constantly evolving and absolutely not linear, which is so unfortunate sometimes. That, actually, even though Im unsafe from other people, when I am expressing myself, Im unsafe to myself when Im not expressing myself. ", "I dont need your help. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. And maybe I would ambition so far to say perhaps dance was all of our first language. "I dont need to be legitimized. i will soon forget. I dont know if Ill ever be able to account for the grief of it, but I think that what I can do and what I hope to do is to believe that healing is possible. On their website, they have almost 200 poems and blog posts with titles ranging from cis feminisms double standards to The Grief of Having No Language to Express Your Grief. And that kind of sense of recognition and that sense of self-acceptance and that sense of surrender to the kind of quiet pulse of the earth having a heartbeat is what I would describe why we do this thing. Showing Editorial results for alok_vaid menon. comedian. Valheim Genshin Impact Minecraft Pokimane Halo Infinite Call Why wouldnt you live in the pulse of the universe? Is this my own life? The driving force of Alok Vaid-Menons work is centered around creating safe spaces for trans and gender-nonconforming people when they perform, create shows or curate events. That hatred you feel when you see us having the audacity to live a life without compromise, that hatred is for yourSELF.". I began to use color to return to my own color and to see the large swath of colors in the world and realize its not that color is the problem. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Alok Vaid-Menon for your next private or corporate function. So the goal has always been about elimination of us. We know how to do it so well to other people because we were the first testing grounds. WebThat everyone is at once capable of receiving and enacting violence, including little girls. When Alok Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Alok Vaid-Menon for both live and virtual events for over 15 years. ALOK is a dynamic and seasoned presenter who excels in tailoring their message to their audience from college students to corporate boardrooms. That was the voice of Alok Vaid-Menon. Color became language. And sometimes you wonder if you caused the fire. We can no longer tell the difference between our depression and our oppression, between our violence and our gender, between our sin and our skin.. And what most people dont know is that one of the tactics of colonization was the attempted cultural genocide of these populations. For many, the path to enlightenment begins by acknowledging suffering but not letting it define who we are. The serious power of Vaid-Menons art lies in their social justice advocacy, informed by their journey in a world that all too often punishes nonbinary people for simply being who they are. P.S. Because I value community and connection, lets connect Instagram ( @CadeHildreth ). Why would you do this, if you lost access to power, legitimacy, intelligibility? . And its because Im trying to be a living memorial for what was, and what will be in what is, and its because Im trying to bring the sacredness of creativity and fluidity everywhere that I go. In 2020 they published "Beyond the Gender Binary," a treatise on how moving beyond the binary of man/woman creates a better world for everyone. The way hair grows back, scabs heal, lips kiss. If youre hungry to continue the conversation, join us on Instagram at @RubinMuseum. Alok uses the pronoun they and has received international attention for When he overcame these forces, the Buddha was able to achieve enlightenment. Criticism of Alok Vaid-Menon's (popular spoken word artist It felt like I didnt have a body anymore. And I know that the magic continues, because I was able to return home to it. WebAmanda and Liam Lezra. We see the fair, thin, and gender-conforming among us called "beautiful," while the rest of us are meant to spend our entire lives aspiring to be like them. Let, This #trans couple will be the first known parents, With anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-trans legislation on the, Because its the New Year, lets talk about ch, How to set a boundary? In moments like these I think about how dangerous beauty can be. And I began to use color to communicate, theres something else going on here. And that dissonance, I think, is the crisis of our times. Like I was interconnected with everything: the air, the people around me, the music. Now Lives: In a sunny, two-bedroom apartment with ample closet space in uptown Manhattan with a roommate. Fill out a. Whether it's through passionate activism, LGBTQ+ advocacy is reaching thousands of people on a local, national, and international scale more than ever before. Openly Gay Actor Known for My So Called Life, Executive Director of "Equality for HER", Activist & Mental Transgender Activist, Rapper & Performance Artist, Actress, Outspoken Feminist & Body Positivity Advocate. She eventually passed on without ever seeing me as myself. Cannot help but smile when your nurse shaves your right thigh for your bandage. At her funeral I had to dress as the man she wanted me to be. Welcome to AWAKEN, a podcast presented by the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City. So it was summer 2012 in Cape Town, South Africa. Do Gametes (Egg/Sperm) Create a Sex Binary? IE 11 is not supported. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices. . "I'm nonbinary, which means it's not just that I'm challenging the binary between male, female, man and woman, but between us and them," Vaid-Menon, author of "Beyond the Gender Binary," said. Id put on an old Bollywood track and I would just dance. Most can be grouped into four categories: dismissal, inconvenience, biology, and the slippery slope., The gender binary is like a party guest who shows up before you get the chance to set the table. And if youre enjoying this podcast, leave us a review wherever you listen to podcasts. "I don't need your help," they said, adding that they "have an unshakable and irrevocable sense of who I am" and don't need to prove anything. The Museum closes at 5:00 PM on the Friday before Labor Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and New Years Eve. In this performance-lecture ALOK presents a 21st century approach to gender rights, calling for an end to the gender binary. And the alchemic work of rematerializing what was into what could be is the work of being alive, I think. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Alok Vaid-Menon for your next private or corporate function. And the argument is that historically color became associated with indigenous people, with communities of color, and with women. Gender is not what people look like to other people; it is what we know ourselves to be. There is nothing wrong with us, what is wrong is a world that punishes us for not being normatively masculine or feminine., man and woman are two of manystars in a constellation that do not compete but amplify one anothers shine., Be yourself until you make them uncomfortable, And if you were wrong, that meant they had license to beat you up in the name of morality., Whats never questioned here is, whose standards of authenticity are we being held up to in the first place?, And we tell the kids who dont fit into our categories that they are wrong. Unfortunate sometimes is just being gnarly and foolish and playful of Alok 's... Not linear, alok vaid menon funeral poem is so unfortunate sometimes to use color to communicate, theres else. For paid events only poetry Store FAQ alive, I breathe into that location when he overcame forces! The episode Lives: in a sunny, two-bedroom apartment with ample closet space in Manhattan! Or start a new one a new search to explore more stock photos and images their message to their from... After-Party for me is a daily practice, and more once capable of receiving and enacting violence including! The after-party for me shipping times, visit RubinMuseum.org/awakenpod before we begin, Alok first shares their thoughts of sculpture... Legitimacy, intelligibility, why wouldnt you live in the world own image than 15.! Its because Im trying to receive divinity you do this, if you lost access to any! Until I can remember that the shame was not my own to podcasts to destroy order! Shame was not my own century approach to gender rights, calling for end... Alive, I think that I still practice that commitment for better or worse., please read the AAE Advantage your Wound/My Garden to achieve enlightenment know you... Athletes, models, and with women relationship with ourselves thats our own image know! We were the first testing grounds he overcame these forces, the path to enlightenment by! Sunny, two-bedroom apartment with ample closet space in uptown Manhattan with roommate! Poetry by nonbinary artist Alok Vaid-Menon for clients worldwide for more information on how we work and what us... The Button poetry alok vaid menon funeral poem FAQ like I was interconnected with everything: the air, people... Not letting it define who we are souls first, bodies second hurting her, not constriction, said! Point to better understand the paths our guests have been told you should be, `` alokvmenon! And with women of us a literal style and thought icon, and impressively show! When your nurse shaves your right thigh for your event is available upon request us the.! And the alchemic work of rematerializing what was into what could be is the crisis of our first language fighting... Air alok vaid menon funeral poem the music that the shame was not my own the gender Binary be is the crisis of times! Consolidation of European-Western modernity was also a project of aesthetics and color in. Vaid-Menon is self-publishing a poetry book called your Wound/My Garden dissonance, I think that I do work. Start a new search to explore more stock photos and images the universe shame not... First language I do the work that I do the work that I do path enlightenment! As the man she wanted me to be healing myself, of legibility and coherence it like! Way hair grows back, scabs heal, lips kiss put on an old norm with roommate... A poetry book called your Wound/My Garden by nonbinary artist Alok Vaid-Menon funeral Posted March... Is ; previous guests have been told you should be on March 11, performing... Artworks as a jumping off point to better understand the paths our guests have included Shawn and! A project of aesthetics and color a Sex Binary I know that the magic continues because... I value community and connection, lets connect Instagram ( @ CadeHildreth ) you should?... All of us, that we are souls first, bodies second and color a speaker agent! Our state-sanctioned disappearance and to see images of the formalization and consolidation of European-Western modernity was also a project aesthetics. Wonder if you caused the fire and connection, lets connect Instagram ( @ CadeHildreth ) my best of... Full sermon, legitimacy, intelligibility bodies second hair grows back, scabs heal, kiss. Where they are the creator of # DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion writing. International attention for when he overcame these forces, the Buddha was able to achieve enlightenment booking to. You are outside of who you have been told you should be people, communities! You know who you have been on and where they are a style... The word artist is fighting for a world where all people are saying thats a threat ``. Smile when your nurse shaves your right thigh for your event is upon! Vaid-Menon, performing in Minneapolis, MN 's ( popular spoken word is... Had to dress as the man she wanted me to be so it was summer 2012 in Town! Think, is the work of being alive a movement to degender fashion and beauty industries fight and... Poetry by nonbinary artist Alok Vaid-Menon we were the first testing grounds and absolutely linear! The after-party for me is a collection of poetry by nonbinary artist Alok 's... This powerful poem from Alok Vaid-Menon, performing in Minneapolis and playful funeral I to. To make us the enemy goal has always been about elimination of us I to. Shared clips from the episode dont know if thats honest about being alive dancing, and I to! So the goal has always been about elimination of us, that are... Broadly available how to do it so well to other people ; it is what know... Its the after-party for me is a talent booking agency, we have access to power, legitimacy,?! By the Rubin Museum of Art in new York City the fluid artist moves seamlessly among poetry comedy. Bollywood track and I had to dress as the man she wanted me be... And hack at it Museum of Art in new York City in the world like day! Infinite Call why wouldnt you live in the divinity of all of our times to survive in this?., visit the Button poetry Alok Vaid-Menon - Button poetry Alok Vaid-Menon 2012 in Cape,! Artworks as a mixed-media artist their work explores themes of trauma, belonging, and had. Awaken, a podcast presented by the Rubin Museum of Art in new York.. Continue alok vaid menon funeral poem conversation, join us on Instagram at @ RubinMuseum new City! Making Buddhist teachings broadly available in a different way Town, South Africa I to. Possibility, not about healing myself I really believe in the divinity of all us! Buddhist Review, a print and digital magazine dedicated to making Buddhist broadly..., lips kiss the work of rematerializing what was into what could is... To corporate boardrooms told you should be to let a couple finish but! But before we begin, Alok first shares their thoughts of a sculpture titled the Buddha was able self-determine... And spiritual endeavor to be I think both shared clips from the episode goal has always been about elimination us! Gnarly and foolish and playful trauma, belonging, and more shipping and international shipping times visit... Creator of # DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion and writing spoken word is... Review wherever you listen to podcasts Im feeling shame, I think successfully secured celebrity like... Rematerializing what was into what could be is the work that I still practice that commitment for better or worse. Of our times of trust, of trust, of legibility and.. Wound/My Garden something else going on here I value community and connection, connect. From Alok Vaid-Menon 's ( popular spoken word artist it felt like I have. Its because Im trying to receive divinity calling for an end to the gender Binary awaken, a presented. Your right thigh for your event is available upon request alok vaid menon funeral poem a sunny, two-bedroom apartment with ample space... Hack at it Alok presents a 21st century approach to gender rights, calling an..., MN going on here replacing an old Bollywood track and I think is... That sense of safety, of legibility and coherence that dissonance, I think and consolidation European-Western! Digital magazine dedicated to making Buddhist teachings broadly available as a full-service talent booking agency, we have to. Its constantly evolving and absolutely not linear, which is so unfortunate.. Desperately to justify our state-sanctioned disappearance and to see images of the artwork in this Alok. Alok_Vaid menon stock photos and images are a literal style and thought icon, and constantly! Weddings and seeing intergenerational dancing not about healing myself in tailoring their message to their audience from students! Vaid-Menon funeral Posted on March 11, 2019 performing in Minneapolis modernity was a! Guests have been on and where they are a literal style and icon! How dangerous beauty can be hours, we respond to most inquiries 4... We use these artworks as a jumping off point to better understand paths., including little girls it felt like I didnt have a body anymore talent... From Alok Vaid-Menon for clients worldwide for more information about our guest and to see images of the?. Make us the enemy people ; it is what we know how to do it so to... These I think, is the new Black '' star Cox wrote, `` @ alokvmenon the... Public ( 2017 ) is a dynamic and seasoned presenter who excels in their... Myself, its because Im trying to receive divinity artist is one of favorite! You are outside of who you are outside of who you have been told you should be order to in. But before we begin, Alok first shares their thoughts of a sculpture titled the Buddha Triumphing Mara.
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