Critics Page
Meena Nanji with Yong Soon Min
Activism Matters, wherever you are, from then to now: Godzilla to GYOPO to A-Doc.
Meena Nanji: I belong to a group called A-Doc, the Asian American Documentary Network, that was conceived in 2016 to build alliances between Asian American documentary filmmakers normally isolated from one another. Since its founding, A-Doc has grown to over a thousand, heralding heritage from not only East Asia, but South Asia, and the Middle East. The emphasis is on inclusivity, using the term “Asian American”to build community through rhizomatic networks and solidarity with other hyphenated Americans.
Yong Soon Min: Here’s a brief list of some AA organizations I’ve been involved with since 1980s to provide a glimmer of historical perspective: Asian American Arts Alliance; Minor Injury; SEORO Korean Cultural Network; Godzilla Asian American Arts Network; Korean American Art Museum; GYOPO, diasporic Korean arts organization. In all, critical mass necessary coalesced to strive for representation and a sense of community. Activism Matters, wherever we are, then to now: Godzilla to GYOPO to A-Doc.
