East Meets Words Open Mic: Kit Yan
This month’s feature on the East Meets Words Open Mic series is Kit Yan. I look forward to this event every month because it’s great to have the privilege to listen to what these talented poets have to say. This month’s open mic series featured many familiar faces as well as a new collaborative duo. Vinh the Kid started off the show by paying a tribute to his Asian American mentors in poetry. Theresa followed Vinh by reflecting on her recent journey to Korea. Albert was up next on the mic and he read a story entitled “Lovebomb” that reminded that “love conquers all.” The next performer was Afro-D and I have to say, this guy is one of the more talented poets that I’ve heard. He has been at the Open Mic for two months now and just like last month, he brought the house down with “See the World, Be the Change.” The poem was powerful when he compared the War on Iraq was the only way for some kids to study aboard. Andy was up next with the help of Joey B on the beat box. Sarah followed Andy with two pieces called “Untiled” and “If not A then B.” Febo and Joey B surpised everyone when they announced that they have collaborated into a group called L.I.F.E. and they performed a piece called “Haiku Slaughter.” Victor returned this month along with Dave Kong and once again they killed the freestyle and ended the open mic segment on a high note.
This month feature was Kit Yan, a transgender slam poet that promotes the issues through poetry. In his first piece, he shared his life experiences and the everyday struggle that he faces as a transgendered invididual. Even through it all, he is still proud of who he is. The comedic side of the performance included the comparison of how females eat their food to how they perform in bed. He followed that piece up with a poem called MANGO, explaining his experiences with a prosthetic penis. The segment took a serious turn when he performed a piece about his home island of Hawa’ii and poems about being something that he is not. Kit concluded his performance with Queeroake, a poem about injustices and sexism within the queer community. Kit Yan was a powerful performer and even through the laughter that he has created with his poems, I felt as though there were hidden messages in them. He reminded us all that even though he is transgendered, he is a person that faces many of the same issues, such as racism, that everyone else faces.
Last 5 posts by long
- East Meets Words: Ms. Conchita Campos - May 14th, 2008
- L.I.F.E at East Meets Words - April 16th, 2008
- Happy Birthday East Meets Words - March 25th, 2008
- You Have Your Heroes, I Have Mine - March 11th, 2008
- Cynthia Lin under the Microscope - January 16th, 2008
[...] in September, Kit Yan rocked the open mic. And he’s a great person to talk to. And he and Melissa Li are going on the Good [...]