This week in DHD 420 we were joined by Randy Kim, community activist and podcaster of the Bánh Mì Chronicles. Randy has been actively podcasting for the past 4 years, reaching a primarily Asian American audience largely made of students, activists, educators, and those involved in non-profit work. The following are questions, observations, and reflections shared during class during conversations between Randy and DHD 420 participants.
Why Bánh Mì Chronicles?
This podcast has been a conduit to hear and express a variety of Asian American stories (not just East Asians but also Asians, who are relatively represented less, not limited to Southeast Asians, West Asians, South Asians). The podcast explores this diversity and how it intersects with other social identities.
Bánh mì is the Vietnamese term for "bread." in Vietnamese. Randy's intent was that this podcast would create space for Asian American community members and leaders to break bread together and explore their agency to tell their own stories before they were told by others.
The origin of bánh mì sandwiches can be traced back to the 1950s when Vietnam was a French colony. These sandwiches reflect vibrant Vietnamese and French roots, and also remind us of an oppressive history of colonialism. This tension is reflected in Asian Americans today, who must wrestle with 2 conflicting forces within themselves: the pressure to assimilate to the dominant culture surrounding them and the desire to honor and maintain one's cultural roots.
What are some topics covered in the Bánh Mì Chronicles?
Reclaiming agency, documenting our history, and shaping the future are priorities throughout various seasons. Through various interviews, the podcast has covered the events affecting Southeast Asian communities in 1975 (including the end of the Vietnam War and Laotian Civil War, the rise of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia) and the subsequent waves of migration. We remember and honor their experience. Looking to the future, we foster dialogue about current issues including the elections, anti-Blackness in our communities, processing the pandemic, and exploring the intersectionality present in the LGBTQ Asian experience.
If you were to create your own content, whether it's a podcast, blog, or book, what stories would you share?
Some DHD 420 students expressed the desire to share exciting, good news and to uplift meaningful stories. Others said they would want to re-tell stories of their family members and ancestors, keeping their history alive. Others wanted to explore the generational, cultural disconnect between their generation and their parents', wanting answers about how immigration has had an impact.
What makes you uncomfortable about sharing your story?
A common reason included difficulty navigating struggles that are current. We must be mindful of triggers when issues are so close to home. We also fear being misunderstood in our struggles, fearful that others will question the validity, privilege, and relatability of our stories. Can I represent my whole nation? We fear judgment from members of our own communities, who may point fingers, minimize our experience, and confirm feelings of shame and judgment.
In these moments of fear, we remember that our experiences are diverse and nuanced. As we acknowledge the sacredness of our stories, we seek freedom and a sense of community by sharing our lived experiences. And we balance this connection with recognizing and learning from our differences. We listen, question, collaborate We challenge the ways we have been thinking. We learn and un-learn.
Asian Americans struggle with the silencing of our stories due to the fear of how our closest friends, family, and communities will react. Many stories remain untold. Storytelling is a brave act, and the truth is that we cannot guarantee a positive reaction from our audiences. Yet we continue to seek liberation and strive to have our experiences known. We work to honor our history, shift narratives, and celebrate what we have become and are becoming.
What is your mission? What is your "why"?
When starting a podcast or creating space for dialogue, we must ask ourselves what the intended outcome is for the listeners and the people involved. Remember to honor your guests and their stories, respect their boundaries when discussing difficult things, educate your audience, and seek to understand potential triggers. Be humble and curious, sharing what you know and admitting what you do not know.
This semester, DHD 420 students are collecting stories, which will be transformed into various art forms. Any tips and tricks?
Continue having check-ins with your storytellers. Remember to be transparent in your process and fact-check with your storyteller so you can best represent them. Let them know the intended outcome and share about your "why." Why do you think Asian American mental health is important? What are you hoping will come from the production of these stories? These conversations build trust and add to the sacredness of the storytelling and story-collecting process.
Thank you to Randy Kim, Rooshey Hasnain, DHD 420 students, and class collaborators for consistently contributing meaningful class content!
Bánh Mì Chronicles
Facebook: www.facebook.com/banhmichronicles
IG: BanhMi_Chronicles
Episode of Christian Hall (Trigger warning included): https://www.podpage.com/the-banh-mi-chronicles/the-remembrance-advocacy-for-christian-hall/
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