Colin Ho

I acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands I am on - the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and the Burramattagal people of the Darug Nation and pay my respects to Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceeded.

As settlers and migrants here - I would like for us to think about the ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to survive and endure ongoing and historical violence and dispossession - and how as settlers, are positioned and have benefitted from this.

So it’s important to take a moment to think about ways we can ‘pay the rent’. 

Recently I've been reading about Asian diasporic Jazz/Improvisatory musicians. And naturally my thoughts turned local - like who is Asian, doing improvised music based on Gadigal land of Warrang (Sydney)?

I was already familiar with Chloe Kim's live work but didn't know they had a full release! Kim is an incredible, conservatory trained drummer blending shamanic Korean rhythms with jazz and post-rock. It's not like anything I've heard recently! It's very virtuosic, without being showy, experimental but really approachable because the rhythms are very satisfying. And I like how musical and dynamic everything sounds - it's very expressive.

I recommend listening to this six track record from top to bottom - since it was recorded as a continuous single performance.

Here's Kim's own words about the record - it's certainly a very heartfelt and personal work! (not to mention good life advice)

In the course of developing as a drummer, I have learned some personal coping strategies for challenges that arise in life, like living with a physical illness, working through times of sadness, trying to love the most and cause the least pain (for myself and others), and how to communicate and work to the best of my ability. These methods, in my experience, seems to have recurring patterns: - to prepare sincerely; - to accept changes in transitional phases; - to hold onto the task persistently; - to emerge confidently; - to recognise the difference, acknowledge received supports, and to be aware of how to be/do better; and - to repeat it all again, with new tasks. My second solo drum album ‘How To Get Through’ follows this process in the form of music, each track corresponding to a different step. You can listen to in one sitting, from first track to last, since it was recorded as one long performance. It can also be listened to whilst looking at my improvised artwork, the album cover.

It's a lesson in subtlety and details and careful listening - and it's just propulsive! It's a little bit challenging since it's all drums, but after a while you kind of get into the flow of it.

If you like rhythmic music... or minimalism or improvisation or drumming or jazz or post-rock, grab a good pair of headphones for all the details - this is super fun.

I've been very blessed to have gotten some wonderful recommendations from very thoughtful curators!

Came across this album on Bandcamp, off the music writer/critic Hua Hsu's feed.

Omari Jazz is an Oregon based music producer - I'd say their music is characterised by beautiful loop based, MPC centred, and live instrumentations.

How's it sound?

For fans of early Flying Lotus - and it's really melodic! If you're looking for something astral-facing and cosmic and spacey and a bit new age, yet warm - with lots of percussions and harps and strings - and really beautiful synth work.

What mood?

Good for relaxing! Lazy afternoons, early and unrushed mornings - any time really. A great alternative to lo-fi hip hop beats to study to.

...then, sadly, we’re part of the problem.

But - you don’t have to be.

So what can you do?

DONATE. DONATE. DONATE

From what I’ve seen and heard, this is probably the most urgent and easiest thing to do - and every little bit counts as the uprisings continue to roll across the United States. People’s lives are on the line - so please give generously.

This is the link that I’ve seen around the most!

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co

Here’s a document of Actions for Solidarity for #BlackTransLivesMatter - Black trans womxn are part of the most vulnerable groups out there right now - so it’s a matter of urgency to get funds to ensure they are safe and supported:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10M1ZuGcRPMYMNxOfT7b5t-X4R1wsfkVnRGOUXw3sHTw/

Here’s a link to a VICE Article that has links and information about groups and orgs to donate to that support Black trans people. 

Here’s a second document with “many of the community bail funds, memorial funds, political education resources, the names of organizations to put on your radar, and general advice/tips for people attending protests or using social media as an organizing tool.”

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fpdRY5fwoyt04Il6y9bToWjv4wUaIoMAQERoE2A140U/edit

Mad love to Matty Huyhn for putting together a list of resources too.

IN AUSTRALIA:

All Black lives matter - and it’s important to recognise the violence on our doorsteps to First Nations people for hundreds of years - and is still ongoing. However, their survival and connection to country, culture and community is strong.

This list of organisations to donate by Liminal Magazine is really great - and explains very briefly what each does for First Nations people in Australia.

Much love to the diasporic family at Peril Magazine for putting this together. This is a really great Google Doc resource too by Red Pocket Press aimed at Asian-Australians who want to support First Nations people:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vty1I8P-_YZX1bkl5bkMkg-xNo_uAw_rmZIP865wkf4/edit

Contribute to the Sisters Inside WA bail fund.

https://au.gofundme.com/f/bfvnvt-freethepeople

Help Leetona Rose Dungay fight for justice for her son, David Dungay.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/d9qkb6-justice-for-david?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet

Here are some services at a more organisational level if you prefer to support in that way:

ANTaR is a national advocacy organisation dedicated specifically to the rights - and overcoming the disadvantage - of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

https://antar.org.au

Grandmothers against Removals

https://donate.mycause.com.au/charity/37188

Change the Record

https://changetherecord.org.au

Human Rights Law Centre

https://www.hrlc.org.au

Aboriginal Legal Centre

https://www.alsnswact.org.au/

If you need background - read about it here in Amy McQuire’s newsletter. Amy is a Darumbal and South Sea Islander journalist:

https://amymcquire.substack.com/p/we-must-bear-witness-to-black-deaths

LONGER-TERM - WE NEED TO EDUCATE OURSELVES, WE NEED TO HAVE HARD CONVERSATIONS, WE NEED TO FIND AND BUILD COMMUNITY

Here’s a list of writing on race, white supremacy and anti-black racism in America compiled by Rachel Wilkerson Miller

https://www.justgoodshit.com/blog/best-reading-learn-about-white-supremacy-racism-america

In terms of understanding the struggles and the stories and history of First Nations people in Australia, Prof. Anita Heiss’s project Black Words has a very extensive list of recommendations! And Alexis Wright’s Swan Book will bend your mind! I also recommend Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe. And watching/reading Stan Grant’s speech is a great starting point too. I really liked Prof. Anita Heiss’ Growing Up Aboriginal In Australia. But yeah I recommend clicking on that Black Words link (there are curated lists around the bottom)!

Start having conversations with friends and family about anti-racism! I know, I know, these conversations are difficult - especially in Asian-diasporic communities so if you’re struggling to articulate your point of view - it’s not your fault - it’s not something we’ve been taught - and the teaching, while excellent, is not as ubiquitous as it should be.

There are also multi-lingual resources you can print off that can help you communicate to your family members who may not be fluent in English - https://lettersforblacklives.com/

So it is up to us, as grassroots communities and individuals to find these books and teachings, and read up to step up.

Read anything by bell hooks, john a powell, angel Kyodo williams, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison - hit me up! I’ll get you/lend you some.

Reading the writing of great thinkers, activists, theorists, organisers, poets, artists, leaders - as I wrote above - gives you tools in language and thinking - and can help to shape your own position, give you clarity and a way to start and articulate these complex conversations when you bring it to the table.

As the world around me feels like it is crumbling, the sharing of knowledge and story and connection and deep coversation is sustaining me and giving me clarity. I realise I’m not alone, and that I’m part of a bigger and longer and ongoing tradition of resistance and various civil rights movements, and these are very strong foundations to work from - and to feel connected to.

WE ARE NOT ALONE

Remember - it’s ok to feel overwhelmed but don't forget, you’re not alone!

The fight and self-education is hard to do alone, so I suggest finding your people. I’m always here to chat. And seriously take care of yourself. Stay hydrated. Be around people you love. Sleep enough. Eat enough. Check in on your friends. Make art. Make community.

Remember - the Black and First Nations struggles are each very different to what people of colour face - and so I’ll be doing my best to support, to listen, to self-educate and to follow their lead. Solidarity, being vocal, and acting is key - and make a noise because the oppressive structures of the world want you to be silent!

As again - donate. This is probably the most useful thing you can do right now.

IN THE US:

#BlackTransLivesMatter

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10M1ZuGcRPMYMNxOfT7b5t-X4R1wsfkVnRGOUXw3sHTw/

IN AUST:

This list is really great (click to open link)

And here’s some organisations:

ANTaR is a national advocacy organisation dedicated specifically to the rights - and overcoming the disadvantage - of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

https://antar.org.au

Grandmothers against Removals

https://donate.mycause.com.au/charity/37188

Change the Record

https://changetherecord.org.au

Human Rights Law Centre

https://www.hrlc.org.au

Aboriginal Legal Centre

https://www.alsnswact.org.au/

And more grassroots - contribute to the Sisters Inside WA bail fund.

https://au.gofundme.com/f/bfvnvt-freethepeople

Help Leetona Rose Dungay fight for justice for her son, David Dungay.