Netroots Nation arrives in St. Louis, MO

Netroots Nation, the country’s largest gathering of progressive activists kicked off their annual conference yesterday in St. Louis, MO. Last years event took place in Phoenix, Arizona where it’s central theme was on immigration. This year’s theme of racial justice brought the conference to Missouri where Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot and killed on Aug. 9, 2014 by police officer Darren Wilson in the city of Ferguson. The justice department said there was no evidence to disprove Wilson’s testimony that he feared for his safety and cleared him of any wrong doing on March 4, 2015. Protesters united in Ferguson to show the nation they would not let this injustice pass and demanded their voices be heard.

These incidents have echoed all over the country, unarmed minorities are being killed and harrassed on the street and/or when already in jail, as was the case with Sandra Bland. Bland was found hanging in her Texas cell three days after her arrest. During a failing to signal traffic stop by officer Brian Encinia, his ego got out of hand when she refused to put out her cigarette which is not illegal. He arrested her by saying the 28 year old was being unlawful. Encinia had already had a history of Violating Traffic Stop & Courtesy Protocols. Bland had just moved to Texas to start a job at her alma mater, Prairie View A&M University, making the “suicide” reasoning fed to the public suspicious to all that knew her. This doesn’t even cover the most recent incidents with Philando Castile and Alton Sterling that have left so many hurting around the country. The list keeps growing so it’s important not to forget the others and continuing to say their names. 

It was clear at Netroots Nation in Phoenix that many “progressives” at the conference were not in solidarity over the issues that effect minorities around the country. Many panels were and continue to be all white, hence the need to make racial justice the central theme. During a Black Lives Matter movement last year during a presidential candidates’ town-hall meeting, audience members could be seen visibly upset. Whispers of “shut up already” were in earshot of where I was seated. Picking and choosing one social justice cause is far from being progressive.

The most obvious issue with progressive movements and demonstrated by Netroots Nations’ past events is the willingness of organizations to pat themselves on the back for doing a good job when they don’t include a diverse representation of the issues. For instance, it’s not out of the ordinary to enter a panel about women’s rights and only see white faces staring back at you. It’s important to stand up to structural racism on all levels not just wearing a Black Lives Matter button. You can work and prove yourself and still not be promoted to top positions even in organizations that are supposedly for rights that pertain to you and your struggle. Why are the people not representing their own struggles in leadership positions? Jamala Rogers – Author of Fergusion is America – Roots of Rebellion said it best during the Opening Keynote, “If you’re a social justice organization and you’re all white, you’re not a social justice organization.”

So far, the theme and location has been a great choice made by Netroots Nation

 

Silicon Valley Comic Con – Photos

A re-cap in photos of the fans and exhibits.

Welcome to Silicon Valley Comic Con by Steve Wozniak!

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines


Cosplay

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines


Discovering artists, new comics, and collectibles!  calls himself a “raptoonist” as he combines his love of Hip Hop and Comics into Won & Phill: Hip-Hop Heroes who fight the corporate evilness that tries to control Hip-Hop. 

 

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Artist Frank J. Gallardo

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines


The Exhibit Hall

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines


 

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines


Exhibit by Rancho Obi-Wan (ROW), highlighting nearly 38 years of Star Wars fan passion and creativity. They were in the Guinness book of world records for the largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia.

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines


Madame Tussauds Exhibit

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Kim Rescate

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines


Stan Lee Autograph Seekers

 

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines


These mini fans had everyone smiling!

Silicon Valley Comic Con

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines


 

Celebrities, Diversity, and Fans – SVCC

The best part of Silicon Valley Comic Con was watching fans getting a chance to interact with some of their favorite actors during spotlight sessions. Jeremy Lee Renner caught a fan off guard when she told him it was her birthday and he ran offstage to give her a hug. Fans often try to ask for hugs or autographs during these types of sessions but actors are usually weary of obliging since the requests will most likely keep pouring in. However, this fan didn’t ask and he did it by his own accord. It was a wonderful spontaneous moment that truly brought about the message of what Comic Cons are suppose to be about, the fans. He talked about his acting methods and how he started out as a musician before getting into acting. He often creates a playlist for each role that he has to get into the characters headspace. A fan asked him about his work with Gabrielle Union and if he’d like to work with her again and he said he definitely would, “I don’t think there’s anybody I wouldn’t want to work with again and I’ve come across some amazing talented people over the years”.

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Nathan Fillion provided the following advice to an aspiring actor, “Be kind to people on the way up because they’re the same people you’ll meet on the way back down”. When asked who he’d like to work with dead or alive he said Elvis. He acknowledged that it might come as a surprise to some but reminded the audience that even though the movies Elvis starred in were considered terrible by many, it doesn’t mean the actor is bad or not trying. It was a great point to make since there are many elements to a film and sometimes people forget that. On a side note he also said, Kevin Bacon.

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Nichelle Nichols spoke about her important work with NASA in recruiting people of color and women. Unfortunately, Rod Rodenberry couldn’t resist diminishing her accomplishments by re-directing the questions to himself, “Would you have recruited me”? he kept asking after a detailed recollection of how there were zero, zilch, zip, not one person of color or woman at NASA at that time. The recruiters at NASA gave her excuses like, there’s no one qualified, no one interested and they just didn’t know where to look. She herself was caught off guard when she didn’t want to take the job because she was “just a fictional character on television”. Eventually, she gave in to their requests to be the main recruiter for diversifying the program and became part of one of the most important recruitment processes at NASA. Some of her recruits included Guion Bluford (the first African-American astronaut), Sally Ride (the first female American astronaut), Judith Resnik (one of the original set of female astronauts, who perished during the launch of the Challenger on January 28, 1986), and Ronald McNair (the second African-American astronaut, and another victim of the Challenger accident). (source: space.com)

After all this Roddenberry, a white man born with more than average privilege as the son of Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek asked, “Would you have recruited me?”. It goes to show that diversity in panel leads are just as important as the guests that are invited. She should’ve never been disrespected like that and proves the point that it doesn’t matter whom one is related to or what he donates to, some people will just never get it. He even grew up around her although, maybe that’s why he was so comfortable asking such a stupid question. Who knows? Money can never replace experience, intelligence and common sense. It was a shame to have to witness that after the inspiring story she told. 

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

Wozniak Immortalized in Wax – Silicon Valley Comic Con

The Bay Area came out strong this weekend for Silicon Valley Comic Con (SVCC). Long lines had many frustrated during the inaugural event. If anything, the crowd was proof that there was a void that needed to be filled. The Bay Area has long been missing a Comic Con event since WonderCon left for Anaheim in 2012. Eager fans waited patiently as dedicated volunteers scrambled to get answers for guests. 

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

During the welcoming ceremony Storm Troopers marched down the aisle prior to the introduction of Steve Wozniak, Apple Co-Founder and SVCC’s Founder. He disappeared at one point and Madame Tussaud’s director, Chris Connor came out onstage to reveal that Wozniak was the tech innovator they had chosen to mold into their newest wax figure at Madame Tussaud’s San Francisco. When the figure was unveiled the audience was surprised with two Wozniaks. Which one was the real one? He pretended to throw his voice but it was his wife playing a tape backstage. The stunt drew big laughs.

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

It wasn’t just the audience’s first time seeing it, it was also Wozniaks. He said he was honored and surprised at how grueling the process was to create a figure, “The incredible art and precision went into getting every little measurement and detail for about 5 hours, pictures at every angle and the human worker, to make it come out you know, realistic looking. I did not know there was so much involved. I thought, take a picture and a computer prints it out.”

Photo by: Ana Pines

Photo by: Ana Pines

After the reveal, Wozniak addressed the audience with a heart felt speech about what creating this event for the Bay Area meant to him. He talked about feeling out of place and looking to Comic-books for inspiration. Oh, he also fantasized about flying! 

The figure will be on display at Tussauds’ Comic Con booth for the entire weekend before it’s moved to its San Francisco location for permanent display.


 

Heroes & Villains Fan Fest

Lana Parrilla

Lana Parrilla from Once Upon A Time

The first Heroes & Villains Fan Fest has come and gone in San Jose, CA. Passionate fans showed up as their favorite characters from the sci-fi, superhero and fantasy worlds. The event lasted two days and included exclusive panels, celebrity photo opportunities, kids area, and vendors for all your collectible figures, art and comic book needs.

The crowd was small in numbers but large in enthusiasm. During a Q&A session with Rebecca Mader in which she was asked about her favorite shows she exclaimed, “I’d be a female Dr. Who for free”! During Lana Parrilla’s panel we learned that she really likes being the evil queen. She said there was just something about being able to do things others can’t or wouldn’t do.

Rebecca Mader

Rebecca Mader from Once Upon A Time

Fans ponied up $50-$300 to get up close and personal with their favorite celebrities. They took photos and got autographs at private booths set-up throughout the festival. VIP ticket packages ranged from $180-$850, regular tickets were $40 for Saturday, $30 for Sunday and $65 for both days. With all the happy fans I saw, I expect this to become an annual event that can only get better and hopefully not more expensive.

 

Netroots Nation – Town Hall

At yesterday’s town hall meeting during Netroots Nation convention in Phoenix, Arizona members of the #BlackLivesMatter movement interrupted former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont who were being interviewed by Jose Antonio Vargas. Vargas is a journalist who has brought to light the struggles of undocumented immigrants brought over as children. He didn’t know he was in the country illegally until he was 16.

Netroots Nation anapines

The audience didn’t get to hear much about the issues that are affecting undocumented immigrants and the increase xenophobia and border brutality plaguing the nation. However, it did exemplify the huge disconnect between communities of color and politicians. When Black Lives Matter screamed out “Say Her Name” they had no idea what to say. At one point Martin O’Malley said “All Lives Matter” to the disappointment of many in the crowd.

Netroots Nation anapines

Other audience members who were there to hear Bernie Sanders were visibly frustrated and saying things like, “Let him speak” and “ShutUp”. Women of color are notoriously interrupted and this was a way for Black Lives Matter to have their voices heard. O’ Malley and Sanders were asked about their policy proposals in regards to racial equality but neither candidate gave a satisfying answer. It was easy to see that they were thrown off their scripts and didn’t know how to respond.

Netroots Nation anapines

Will they take some time now to really learn about the issues and address the community properly? Will O’Malley see the flaw in saying, “All Lives Matter”? Only time will tell.

Netroots Nation anapines

 

‘The Walking Dead’ Season 6 Trailer

Walking Dead fans are going crazy at the newly released trailer for Season 6. Those attending the panel at San Diego Comic-Con in Hall H got the first peak at the almost 4 minute video. The series will return Sunday, Oct. 11 at 9 p.m. with a special 90-minute episode.  What do you think?

Women on the Wave

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By Kim Rescate and Ana Pines

Af3rm held its National Summit and 25th anniversary celebration Oct. 11-12 at the Social Justice High School in Los Angeles. Over 400 women-identified participants attended the two-day summit to examine the issues that impact transnational, im/migrant and women of color and to transform, build and lead the next wave of feminism. The summit was unique in that it placed special emphasis on the need for each individual to participate fully and also collectively in the movement for women’s liberation by envisioning and manifesting a new and just world. Continue reading

AAPI Digital Leadership Weekend

The first national AAPI Digital Leadership weekend will be held on August 8-10, 2014 in Washington, D.C. Participants come from San Diego, CA, to Little Ferry, NJ and represent AAPI advocates that are fighting for immigration, health, and education nationwide.

Kim Rescate is 1 of the 20 emerging online organizers that were picked from all over the country. They were trained by a top-notch team on taking traditional organizing to the Internet, building community, developing a voice, engaging an audience, telling AAPI stories, using smart technology, and applying elegant analytics to advance long-term goals. This is low-cost, high-energy, high-impact curriculum that has never been tailored to the AAPI community before. This leadership weekend helped these 20 organizers  develop the skills needed to win through online organizing.

Photos from #aapidlw:

San Diego Comic-Con 2014

San Diego Comic-Con has come and gone. No more sleeping on the sidewalk to get into Hall H. Comic book Superhero’s will no longer be at your every turn. The long lines and aching feet will be forgotten as we reminisce and look through our photos and begin to anticipate Comic-Con 2015.