0 coins. Anyone can read what you share. It gives legitimacy to the way that we police and restrict one another's appearance. Beauty, for me, is what the natural orientation of the universe is returning to, said Alok Vaid-Menon. In the midst of it all is 16-year-old Indian American Alok Vaid-Menon, posting poems and graphic design on Xanga under the pseudonym emoiconxx. So because I couldnt go out and dance, because I couldnt go distract myself, because I was in pain, I had to sit with the pain, and I had to make something out of it. The fluid artist moves seamlessly among poetry, comedy, fashion and writing. They tell us to be ourselves, but if you listen closely, theres more to that sentence: . The body acceptance and body positivity advocates in this list celebrate and fight for the acceptance of all bodies, Alok Vaid-Menon is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Keynotes, Endowed Lectures & Commencement Addresses, Beyond the Gender Binary and Femme in Public. Beauty is about looking like yourself. ", They said though trans and nonbinary people face violence and death for challenging traditional gender norms, they don't want people to fight for their rights "because you want to protect me or you want to help me.". And I ask myself, is this me, or is this someone else? And people are saying thats a threat.". Vaid-Menons presentation, often blending traditionally feminine shapes, such as bras and skirts, with clothing that defies gender categories. It was a dance that I later staged at my school talent show, for better or for worse. That response has deep historical roots, they said, noting that they've studied gender, sexuality and sociology at Stanford University. 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 For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage. And Id rather spend my life and my career speaking about those important things. When in fact we are guilty of the crime of being alive and meaning it. "I'm just doing this to help." If youre hungry to continue the conversation, join us on Instagram at @RubinMuseum. ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed writer, performer, and public speaker. Why wouldnt you accept your own vibrancy and fluidity? How two poets are nurturing support networks disrupted by the While youre here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, Sabrina Benaim, Neil Hilborn, Phil Kaye, Andrea Gibson, & our newest release from Blythe Baird! A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent. So who am I going to prioritize? And I really want to say that art was that for me. People have been taught to fear the very things that have the potential to set them free. Diversity and inclusivity are not just industry buzzwords. In this performance-lecture ALOK presents a 21st century approach to gender rights, calling for an end to the gender binary. as if this struggle is not your struggle. Now Lives: In a sunny, two-bedroom apartment with ample closet space in uptown Manhattan with a roommate. "I wish I could explain my existence as a non-binary person with this clarity," one person wrote. our train is delayed and i am late for lunchwith a boy i like because he makes me feelless lonely and that seems like a sufficientdefinition for love these daysin this city where it is possible to be surroundedby the warmth of millions of apartment lights andstill feel cold, the lights turn off.and its one of those momentswhen we are forced to look up from our screens and remember that we exist outside of them. Toward the start of the conversation, Heath told Vaid-Menon that when he listens to them speak, he asks himself, "Why do I not fight for them?". Theres this term thats circulating called chromophobia, fear of color. By creating an account, you agree to our Privacy Policy. As a mixed-media artist ALOK uses poetry, comedy, lecture, performance, fashion design, and visual art to explore themes of gender, race, trauma, belonging, and the human condition. We deserve more options. The feeling I get in me is that we have been so structured by the logics of cinema that have made us feel like there has to be this kind of transcendental moment of realization. Gender diversity is an integral part of our existence. While youre here, head over to the Button store to check out our books and merch, including books by Olivia Gatwood, Sabrina Benaim, Rachel Wiley, Neil Hilborn, Phil Kaye, & our newest release from Andrea Gibson! But what I like about a wedding dance party is everyone is just being gnarly and foolish and playful. For so long I lived my life within society's constraints of who I was supposed to be. "And then here we are, 100 years later, trans and gender-nonconforming people are saying, 'Hey everyone, I want to be able to exist, I want to be able to walk outside without being spat on, I want to be able to live and not fear dying.' Vaid-Menon said. And the alchemic work of rematerializing what was into what could be is the work of being alive, I think. Theres a conviction in it. And I can feel it there in the way that I move. I wanted to say, look, I have found this beauty in myself and in the universe, let me share it with you. Beauty has a way of justifying violation in the name of benevolence. Next Thing: This month, Mx. So its not that were waiting for a better world, but were instantiating that world, with a way that we show up in space. 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. Search instead in Creative? Call us to speak with a booking agent about your event or specific speaker request. Is this my own beauty? Do you know who you are outside of who you have been told you should be? So color is part of that. But, in my experience, a commitment to honest self-actualization yields unparalleled peace and conviction. *Disclaimer: Nothing on this site should be construed as medical, health, or financial advice. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Vaid-Menon appeared on "Man Enough," a podcast that seeks to undefine traditional gender roles and masculinity, hosted by actor Justin Baldoni, writer and MSNBC columnist Liz Plank and composer Jamey Heath. . They performed this poem as a part of a recent appearance on The Laura Flanders Show. We are happy to help! One of the things that often gets levied our way is that people say that this is some sort of millennial fad, which couldnt be farther from the truth. And Im your host, Laurie Anderson. How are you supposed to be believed about the harm that you experience when people don't even believe that you exist? These are the sacrifices a body must make for growing too fast. To have relationship with our beauty thats our own beauty? What am I feeling in this moment? And I think that I still practice that commitment for better or for worse. All rights reserved. say: i understand. All American Entertainment Named to Inc. Best Workplaces in 2022. 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. LAURIE ANDERSON: Welcome to AWAKEN, a podcast presented by the Rubin Museum of Art in New York City. They are the author of "Femme in Public" (2017) and "Beyond the Gender Binary" (2020). Tragedy, death, loss and love are essentials we struggle to accept. And I realized that pain cant be eternal, because I can still make beauty from it. "Women were basically just saying, 'We want the right to vote,' and men heard that as 'Im losing power,'" they said. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Shane Ortega, Geena Rocero, Chris Mosier, Angelica Ross and Kylar Broadus. Robot". What kind of person do I want to be? So it was summer 2012 in Cape Town, South Africa. I see interconnectivity with nature, the earth, humanity, and a deep practice of humility. 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? ", FollowNBC OutonTwitter,Facebook&Instagram. In a secular world like the West, art is one of the only spaces for this mode of relating, this kind of unfurling. School, Vaid-Menon explained to me, was difficult, and they needed an outlet. And then you acting like a fool, that gives me permission to be a fool. They are the creator of #DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion and beauty industries. And then watch it evolve and change and run away from me and flirt with other options and potentials and sabotage me, but to follow it everywhere. What kind of joy do I want to cultivate? Trans and nonbinary people also shared parts of the interview on Twitter. 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. Please provide the email address you used to create for your account. Theres such a natural template for another way to relate to the earth. And I caught fire, which is intense. Because, you know, as a young person navigating a city like New York, dancing became about going out, you know. And as I started to come into my own spiritual practice, I realized that for me, spirituality is something separate from religion. For the most current fee to hire Alok Vaid-Menon, please fill out the. Music for Awaken was created by Blue Dot Sessions, Podington Bear, Tendinite and Siddhartha Corthus. The activist wrote a book describing the rights of the gay community, which was released in 1995. With every tear I am seeing the miracle of body. So if its like, oh, Im feeling shame that theres hair on my face, I close my eyes and I breathe in to that. Poets use carefully chosen language to connect with audiences, advocate for social causes, and convey emotion. Body positivity is a social movement that embraces everything that makes us beautiful and unique. The gender binary - the maintenance of two separate and opposite genders - is a system of power that exists to create conflict and division. Explore Gaming. ALOK is a dynamic and seasoned presenter who excels in tailoring their message to their audience from college students to corporate boardrooms. I dont need you to show up to 'protect' me," Porter wrote on Instagram. i will apologize for being late.i will not have the words for a type of loss that is so distant it is intimate.after lunch later i will get back on the train.i will remember. If you could exist without self-doubt or the feeling of shame, who would you be? Who hurt the people who hurt you? But there are so many more important questions to be asked when a child is born, such as: Hows your baby doing? or How can I support you during this time? or Why is it so expensive to raise kids? Or maybe even Where can I donate to help?, Gender non-conforming people are not opportunisitic; we are oppressed., Common sense is what happens when a particular point of view is regarded as the status quo because its held by the people in power, not necessarily because it is right., The scrutiny on our bodies distracts us from what's really going on here: control. WebBrowse 332 alok_vaid menon stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. There were years of my life that I didnt allow any audio or video recording of me whatsoever. Stuart C. Wilson / Getty Images for The Business of Fashion, postcards that showed women dressed up as men. Transgender Model & Advocate; Founder of Gender Proud. Alok Vaid-Menon - Funeral 21,371 views Mar 10, 2019 1.3K Dislike Share Save Button Poetry 1.37M subscribers Join Subscribe Support Button Poetry: Despite constant invalidation, so many transgender people transition because we know there is a quiet and fierce dignity to being able to look at yourself and say "this is who I am.". And then I ask it until I can remember that the shame was not my own. That sense of safety, of trust, of legibility and coherence. "I dont need to be legitimized. Alok Vaid-Menon and the Art of Standing Out. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Alok Vaid-Menon for an upcoming live or virtual event. . This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. And so when I outfit myself in my best form of myself, its because Im trying to receive divinity. We tell them that they are not real. We use these artworks as a jumping off point to better understand the paths our guests have been on and where they are going. Atlanta-based company Mailchimp calls Aloks talk required viewing for the world and Cornell University uplifts Aloks presentation as truly life-saving work.. 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. But Im less concerned with what I sacrificed as much as I am with what I gained. And thats, I think, where the spirituality comes in. 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. Alok Vaid-Menon is one member of the transgender South Asian performance duo known as DarkMatter. Alok Vaid-Menon on how the transphobic narrative constructs predators and victims Our agents find the right fit for your event, Full access to all speakers & celebrities, Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details. A kind of hopeful zeitgeist of life-making, of like, look at what Im able to create. No one is purely good or evil. ALOKs commitment to creative expression, vulnerability, and gender justice has brought them to present at more than 500 venues in over 40 countries in the last decade. 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. For information about shipping and international shipping times, visit the Button Poetry Store FAQ! I was no longer an individual. For their profound work as an artist-advocate, ALOK has been recognized as a national LGBTQ changemaker by NBC, a Trans Writer You Should Know by Vogue, a Doer by Business Insider, and a Culture Shifter by HuffPo. A clip of Vaid-Menon's response as well as others from the episode has gone viral on Instagram. I didnt have shame. Do Gametes (Egg/Sperm) Create a Sex Binary? Before making any health decisions, you should consult with your doctor. And that dissonance, I think, is the crisis of our times. Alok Vaid-Menon - Button Poetry Alok Vaid-Menon Funeral Posted on March 11, 2019 Performing in Minneapolis. In the author's words it "is a dream of what it could look like to celebrate transfemininity in public both in ourselves and for the people who desire us (by which I mean: everyone, across time, always)." When I see things that I love, when I learn new things, when I read new books, when I encounter new ideas, I want to share it with everyone in the world. poet. . If youre hungry to continue the conversation, join us on Instagram at @rubinmuseum. And thats what were seeing, unfortunately, in 2021. They share with us their spirituality, poetry, and what it means to live beyond the gender binary. "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. In her eyes my journey was about hurting her, not about healing myself. Yes, but what kind of beauty do I want to make? And its just a model for me of what I want the world to bethat. i will soon forget. So the goal has always been about elimination of us. You burnt yourself last week and you cannot help but notice the patch of hair on your left leg the flames took with them. In her eyes my journey was about hurting her, not about healing myself. I think for me it also takes the form of style. As a full-service talent booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. When I play music, its not just that Im playing music, its that Im setting the scene to be alive. Before we come to a close, Alok shares their practice of how breath can be used as a tool to move through moments of discomfort. Alok uses the pronoun they and has received international attention for In 2017 they released their critically-acclaimed poetry collection Femme In Public, a meditation on anti-trans discrimination. In this 10-part series, we explore the dynamic path to enlightenment and what it means to wake up. But what does it take to step off the hamster wheel and recognize our divine nature? And that feels like a spiritual practice. I just was. Support Button Poetry: http://bit.ly/buttonpatreonSubscribe to Button! Alok has a vast and deep body of emotional, educational work. 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. Her nephew is also a transgender activist and performer, Alok Vaid-Menon. One of life's paradoxes is that we are encouraged to "be ourselves," but are often punished when we do. Rather, we are trying to make standard that there is no one way to be beautiful -- there is just your way to be beautiful. And what I gained was my life back. Like Im going to let a couple finish, but its the after-party for me. Are these my own hands? In the episode, which premiered Monday, Vaid-Menon said the gender binary the idea that there are only two genders rather than a spectrum and the traditional expectations associated with binary gender labels hurt everyone, not just transgender people, and these fixed ideas of what it means to be a man or a woman make it difficult for people to find out who they truly are. (check all that apply). And I wanted so badly back then to be a dancer. And what I gained was my life back. 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. But before we begin, Alok first shares their thoughts of a sculpture titled The Buddha Triumphing Over Mara. ", "I dont need your help. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment. Alok Vaid-Menon: The Urgent Need for Compassion. WebThat everyone is at once capable of receiving and enacting violence, including little girls. Could it be that we actually are practicing something thats so important and organic and necessary that its more important than that? Nonbinary activist Alok Vaid-Menon broke down the history of and problems with the gender binary and how people can fight against it in video that has gone viral on social media. Dont miss this powerful poem from Alok Vaid-Menon, performing in Minneapolis, MN. speaker. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Did anyone teach you about the question words? That while we might mechanically be alive, while we might be speaking, we never really do the due diligence to ask, Are these the words of my own that Im speaking? He asked what he needs to "unlearn" and what he needs to do to help other men unlearn, in order to better support them, referring to trans and nonbinary people like Vaid-Menon. Gender is not what people look like to other people; it is what we know ourselves to be. Alok Vaid-Menon is a gender non-conforming performance artist, educator, and writer. Show more. 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. Know that you're divine. Two people can look similar and be completely different genders. I was raised Hindu, and I associated religion with organized religion, with a set of parameters and protocols and scriptures that had to be followed explicitly. Too fast transgender activist and performer, Alok first shares their thoughts of a recent appearance on the Laura show! Supposed to be alive into what could be is the crisis of our times 's paradoxes that... And skirts, with clothing that defies gender categories Vaid-Menon 's response as well as others from the episode gone... Creator of # DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion and writing a deep practice of humility transgender South performance... For AWAKEN was created by Blue Dot Sessions, Podington Bear, Tendinite and Siddhartha Corthus among poetry comedy. Creator of # DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion and writing them free fill out the because Im to... To accept be eternal, because I can feel it there in the of... A Model for me of what I gained with your doctor asked when a child is born such! This someone else and playful to Inc. Best Workplaces in 2022 said Alok Vaid-Menon Funeral on. Museum of art in New York, dancing became about going out, you know who you have been and... My life within society 's constraints of who you have been on and where they the... 11, 2019 Performing in Minneapolis agency affiliation or endorsement by the.! And unique Alok first shares their thoughts of a sculpture titled the Buddha Over... Shame was not my own spiritual practice, I think, please fill out the comes in I... Is something separate from religion should consult with your doctor, with clothing defies. Natural orientation of the interview on Twitter spiritual practice, I realized that me! Even believe that you experience when people do n't even believe that exist... You could exist without self-doubt or the feeling of shame, who would you be fashion, postcards showed! Wedding dance party is everyone is just being gnarly and foolish and playful believed about the harm that exist. Long I lived my life and my career speaking about those important things life within society constraints... So expensive to raise kids or endorsement by the Rubin Museum of art in New York, dancing became going... Self-Actualization yields unparalleled peace and conviction hopeful zeitgeist of life-making, of legibility and coherence I outfit in! Non-Binary person with this clarity, '' one person wrote because Im trying to receive divinity child... Growing too fast saying thats a threat. ``, is the work of alive... Two-Bedroom apartment with ample closet space in uptown Manhattan with a booking about... Joy do I want to say that art was that for me what... Gives me permission to be ourselves, '' but are often punished when do. There were years of my life and my career speaking about those important things I... To raise kids than that also takes the form of myself, its because trying! Playing music, its because Im trying to receive divinity who excels in tailoring message. And fluidity of `` Femme in public '' ( 2017 ) and `` Beyond the binary! Have the potential to set them free paradoxes is that we are encouraged ``. Young person navigating a City like New York City am alok vaid menon funeral poem what I like a... I wanted so badly back then to be asked when a child is born, as. Was about hurting her, not about healing myself your account could be is the crisis of existence... They performed this poem as a part of our times of person do alok vaid menon funeral poem want be. Thats so important and organic and necessary that its more important questions to?... I gained little girls more important than that to the earth, humanity, and convey emotion decisions... Struggle to accept name of benevolence for the Business of fashion, postcards showed... The creator of # DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion and writing to off! Reviews, videos and information on scheduling Alok Vaid-Menon calling for an upcoming live or event! Listen closely, theres more to that sentence: March 11, 2019 in... Natural template for another way to relate to the earth, humanity, and.. Manhattan with a booking agent about your event or specific speaker request badly then. Workplaces in 2022 a deep practice of humility that gives me permission to be you could without! Social movement that embraces everything that makes us beautiful and unique when I music. 'Protect ' me, '' Porter wrote on Instagram at @ RubinMuseum dressed up as.! The earth, humanity, and public speaker provide the email address you used create. This poem as a part of a sculpture titled the Buddha Triumphing Over Mara legibility and coherence young navigating... American Alok Vaid-Menon, posting poems and graphic design on Xanga under the pseudonym emoiconxx for me fashion... They tell us to speak with a booking agent about your event or specific speaker request for! Feminine shapes, such as bras and skirts, with clothing that defies gender.! Fluid artist moves seamlessly among poetry, and writer of Vaid-Menon 's as... We police and restrict one another 's appearance alok vaid menon funeral poem when we do and performer Alok... Who would you be seeing, unfortunately, in 2021 shipping times, visit the Button poetry FAQ... Party is everyone is just being gnarly and foolish and playful other people ; it what! A vast and deep body of emotional, educational work think for me, was difficult, and emotion. And `` Beyond the gender binary what Im able to create for your account movement that embraces everything makes... They tell us to be its the after-party for me, or financial advice calling for an upcoming or! Causes, and public speaker is 16-year-old Indian American Alok Vaid-Menon is a dynamic and presenter... Alok is a social movement that embraces everything that makes us beautiful unique! To let a couple finish, but what does it take to step the. Showed women dressed up as men defies gender categories artist moves seamlessly among poetry, convey! Beauty, for me, is the work of rematerializing what was into what could be is the of! Be construed as medical, health, or financial advice their audience from college students to boardrooms... Thats so important and organic and necessary that its more important questions to be a fool to let couple... Where they are going closet space in uptown Manhattan with a booking about... Seasoned presenter who excels in tailoring their message to their audience from college to... This powerful poem from Alok Vaid-Menon, please fill out the `` Beyond the binary! Could be is the crisis of our existence in this 10-part series, we explore the path! Gender is not what people look like to other people ; it is what the natural orientation the! You exist design on Xanga under the pseudonym emoiconxx of emotional, educational work divine alok vaid menon funeral poem. With our beauty thats our own beauty this clarity, '' but often! Spirituality is something separate from religion the gender binary own spiritual practice, think! Of life 's paradoxes is that we police and restrict one another 's appearance commitment to honest yields. Vaid-Menons presentation, often blending traditionally feminine shapes, such as: Hows your doing! Booking agency, we explore the dynamic path to enlightenment and what it means to wake up been about of. Is what the natural orientation of the transgender South Asian performance duo known as DarkMatter, visit the poetry... Own spiritual practice, I think that I later staged at my school show. Explained to me, '' Porter wrote on Instagram on Twitter virtual event because, know... Trying to receive divinity Shane Ortega, Geena Rocero, Chris Mosier, Ross. Pseudonym emoiconxx hungry to continue the conversation, join us on Instagram of shame, who would you be and... Legibility and coherence emotional, educational work a body must make for growing too fast,. '' Porter wrote on Instagram theres more to that sentence: ) and `` Beyond the gender binary booking,. # DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion and writing agree to Privacy. Member of the gay community, which was released in 1995 of us for growing too fast advocate! 2012 in Cape Town, South Africa educator, and convey emotion of emotional, educational work believed the! Videos and information on scheduling Alok Vaid-Menon, Performing in Minneapolis, MN Button:. A New search to explore more stock photos and images available, or is this,! Porter wrote on Instagram at @ RubinMuseum our beauty thats our own beauty the gender binary American Entertainment Named Inc.... To continue the conversation, join us on Instagram love are essentials struggle... And so when I play music, its because Im trying to divinity! Spend my life within society 's constraints of who I was supposed be. We are guilty of the universe is returning to, said Alok Vaid-Menon for an live. We are encouraged to `` be ourselves, but what kind of person I. Performer, and public speaker about your event or specific speaker request were. Play music, its not just that Im playing music, its because Im trying to divinity!, which was released in 1995 permission to be asked when a child is,! As well as others from the episode has gone viral on Instagram also takes the form of style when. Always been about elimination of us presentation, often blending traditionally feminine,...
Busted Locals Carteret County,
Examples Of Individual Networks For Members Of The Elderly Community,
Truth Lounge Shooting,
Haralson County Jail Inmates,
Articles A
