Africana Studies Events

This calendar presented by Africana Studies

[PAST EVENT] Manufacturing Freedom by Elena Shih 

February 22, 2024
3:30pm - 7pm
Location
Blow Memorial Hall, Room 201
262 Richmond Rd
Williamsburg, VA 23185Map this location
Access & Features
  • Free food
  • Open to the public
Elena Shih
Elena Shih

Elena Shih is Manning Assistant Professor of American Studies and Ethnic Studies at Brown University, where she directs a human trafficking research cluster through the Ruth J. Simmons Center for the Study of Slavery and Justice. Shih is the author of two books: Manufacturing Freedom: Trafficking Rescue, Rehabilitation, and the Slave Free Good (University of California Press), and White Supremacy, Colonialism, and the Racism of Anti-Trafficking (Routledge). Recent op-eds about her research and organizing as a core collective member of Red Canary Song appear in the New York Times and Providence Journal. 


FLY IN POWER follows Charlotte, a Korean massage worker and core organizer of Red Canary Song (RCS), a social justice collective of Asian diasporic massage workers, sex workers and allies who basebuild through mutual aid. Through her history, we learn how the carceral system is pitted against Asian migrant women and their survival. The documentary is a glimpse into the intimate spaces that not only connect these women and non-binary queers, but is also a testament to the global advocacy of women’s rights to work and thrive. FLY IN POWER centers the narrative of an Asian massage worker in her own words, with her own agency of storytelling and editing. With each story shared, we witness the trust built between the film team and the participants. The documentary is directed by Yin Q, a Queer,

Chinese American parent, writer, and sex worker rights advocate, and Yoon Grace Ra a cultural organizer working with audio/visual media. This film has been produced entirely by women, non-binary, trans and queers of the Asian diaspora- more than half of the production team are former/current sex workers. The film was honored with the 2023 Best Documentary Feature Award by the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.


Sponsored by: Global Studies, AMES, and GSWS

Contact

[[lsimms, Latasha Simms]]