FANHS MI: October is Filipino American National History Month!! OCT 9 EVENT at PACCM

October is Filipino American National History Monnth. On October 9, 2016, from 3-5 p.m. at the Philippine American Cultural Center of Michigan in Southfield, MI, the Filipino American National Historical Society of MI will be celebrating "1946: A Turning Point"as a theme for the 70th anniversary of notable events and legislation that transformed the lives of Filipinos. The event is free. Donations are accepted.

June 24 2016:Poetry Updates Motown Mic Spoken Word Contest, Broadside Lotus Press News, Aurora Harris' Poem for Grace Lee Boggs

This evening, I will be a judge for the grand finale of the third annual Motown Mic Spoken Word Contest at the Garden Theater in Detroit, at 8 p.m. I am looking forward to hearing from some of the best new poets that made it through the qualifying rounds. The winner will take home a $1000.00 prize. Qualifying rounds are held in either April or May at the Motown Museum on West Grand Blvd in Detroit. As a board member of Broadside Lotus Press, Broadside Lotus Press has colloborated with the Motown Museum in an effort to celebrate and bring wider recognition to the histories of both Broadside Lotus Press and Motown's spoken word recordings by their Black Forum Label, that was created by Barry Gordy in the 1970's as a form of education. In 2014, Broadside Lotus Press published the first Motown Mic broadside for spoken word artist Rosemarie Wilson, a.k.a. One Single Rose. Broadside Lotus Press News: Broadside Lotus Press celebrated its 50th year as a Detroit, MI based poetry publishing house last year. We are excited to announce we received a grant from the Knight Foundation to digitize our collection. In addition to our Facebook page, we now have a new website: http://www.broadsidelotuspress.org/ and a new Twitter account: https://twitter.com/broadsidelotus My Publication News: The poem I wrote in memory of Detroit's own Chinese American philosopher,activist, author and feminist Grace Lee Boggs,titled "Now. Then. Tomorrow" was published March 30, 2016 in Educational Studies: a journal of the Educational Studies Association. The poem was written the day before her memorial service and highlights her life from Chicago to Detroit as an activist. You may access the poem online here: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00131946.2016.1121698?journalCode=heds20 On the website for the journal, the abstract I wrote for the poem states: " Abstract A poem that highlights the life of Grace Lee Boggs, a Chinese American philosopher, activist, author, and feminist that passed away in Detroit, Michigan at the age of 100 years old on October 5, 2015. Now. Then. Tomorrow was written 2 days before Ms. Boggs’ memorial service. The poem contains the poet's memories of Ms. Boggs and community struggles related to race and class in Detroit, Michigan." Other: Since the Broadside Lotus Press Poetry Series at the University of Detroit-Mercy's Grounds Coffee Haus, I have been meeting with local and budding poets and writers on Saturday afternoons around the city. It's been great to just be able to discuss new work in progress and write! I'm working on a new book called "From A Detroit War Primer." It is a compilation of my work as an activist, poems that came out of the activism, and poems I've written on busses to work, and some history of my former poetry series "The World Voice Literary Series" that I started at the Billiard Gallery in the mid 1990's in Downtown Detroit, that I later moved to the Graystone Jazz Museum on Washington Blvd, also in Downtown Detroit. Last week, I found a quite a few photos of poets, playrights, actors,and musicians that read on the series at the Graystone Jazz Museum, along with some of my old flyer announcements. I hope to include some of them in the book. Recording with In The Tradition Jazz News: A new poem I wrote called "War Is Here" will be recorded in a few weeks for the new In The Tradition Jazz CD. We have been rehearsing and I am looking forward to another dynamic CD! Congratulations to all the 2016 Kresge Art Awards Winners! I was glad to read that quite a few wonderful people I know that greatly deserved the awards received them! That's all for now, Have a great weekend! This entry: c.2016 by Aurora Harris. If you would like to use anything here or other writings and info contained in this blog for educatioal purposes, please request permission by sending an email to aurora917@gmail.com Thank You!

Aurora Harris' Recorded Poetry; Videos; Interviews, Projects at Libraries; Other for Students and Researchers

1. The In The Tradition Jazz compact disc "The Tradition Continues" that has my spoken word piece "Yurugu," found in the collection Solitude of Five Black Moons published by Broadside Press and University of Detroit Mercy Press can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrXVlAZZ1e8 Other In the Tradition Jazz music from the cd may also be found at the link above. 2. "On Deaf Ears" the poem I sent to President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden re: the state of health care in Detroit, MI in 2009, when I was strugglng with an illness I had: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoLfshNSWpg 3. A presentation on Broadside Press and poetry reading as part of the INCA Art and Poetry Series in Detroit, August 25, 2012. I open with a reading of Audre Lorde's poetry: https://vimeo.com/56505828 4. Black History Month Broadside Press Poetry reading by Aurora Harris and Christopher Rutherford at the Charles H. Wright Museum February 22, 2013 http://livestream.com/accounts/2710797/events/1900181/videos/12389790 5. Video of me as a Keynote Speaker for Filipino Cultural Night- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. I am speaking about the importance of education, culture, and my family history. I close with my poem "Rice." The video is dark, but I thank James Wilson for recording it and posting it on You Tube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTwX47-wvJ4 6. Broadside Lotus Press: Broadside Press' 50th Anniversary Poetry Reading: "Suite Dudley" at the Detroit Public Library; September 2015; Poets- Albert M. Ward with John Hardy, Leslie Reese, and Aurora Harris. I am reading from Solitude of Five Black Moons, "When The Poets Became Jukeboxes," a response to Dudley Randall's "A Poet Is Not A Jukebox," to blues music. Click the circle on the right side of the web page to see the video http://www.broadsidelotuspress.com/ 7. Feb 13, 2013 Report on Detroit's Truth and Reconcilliation Commission(no longer existing)by Chris Maharis. An audio report on the destruction of the J.L. Hudson store building in Downtown Detroit Michigan Now: "Racism at Hudson's" has lines from my poem "There's Always Something About Spit," a memory poem from my mother, sister and I being spat on by white women behind the J.L. Hudson Department Store in Detroit, MI in the 1960's. http://www.michigannow.org/2013/02/13/racism-at-hudsons/ 8. Sept 16,2013 The Detroit City Poets Oral History Project; Cass Corridor Print Culture by Monika Berenyi: http://monikaberenyi.com/?p=319 CDR Oral History of Broadside Press recordings of my interview, along with Gloria House, Albert M. Ward and Christopher Rutherford housed at Wayne State University: http://elibrary.wayne.edu/search~S47?/XAurora+Harris&searchscope=47&SORT=D/XAurora+Harris&searchscope=47&SORT=D&SUBKEY=Aurora+Harris/1%2C7%2C7%2CB/frameset&FF=XAurora+Harris&searchscope=47&SORT=D&2%2C2%2C 9. Detroit Poetry Print Culture Archive: http://guides.lib.wayne.edu/c.php?g=174887&p=1153176 10. Article: Wayne State University Farmers Market: Photo of me shoppping; "Customer Aurora Harris considers greens..." http://archive.clas.wayne.edu/1120/14/20/WSU-Farmers-Market-completes-seventh-season/News/2704 11. Feb 1997: Wayne State University article regarding International Women's Day Poetry Reading at the Women's Perogative Bookstore in Ferndale, MI: https://wayne.edu/newsroom/release/1997/02/21/poetry-reading-march-4-to-feature-poets-from-across-nation-607

2015 Dec 6: Filipino Ancestry-On Finding Relatives; Brigadier General Macario Peralta

Sunday Dec 6, 2015 copyright 2015 by Aurora Harris Note: This entry, along with ohers from this blog will be a part of a new book I am working on entitled "From A Detroit War Primer." Photos that appear are from my personal family collection. Please do not copy or exhibit without my permission. If anyone wants to copy any part of my written blog enstries for any purpose, please submit a request for permission to aurorag917@mail.com Thank You! Today, I am working on his blog to update links to information that may not be working. One of the Philippine government links to my cousin Brigadier General Macario Peralta was no longer working.I checked the Internet for new links and was happy to find this site, one that I had not seen before that contains Macario's war diary entries: https://philippinediaryproject.wordpress.com/tag/macario-peralta/ It is called "The Philippine Diary Project." Macario Peralta was my mother's first cousin who was a lawyer, senator, and a soldier that led the Free Panay Force of guerillas on the Island of Panay. He was also the Secretary of Defense. For about twenty five years, I have been researching and piecing together my family history from both sides of my family (Filipino and African American). Some of the history I wrote about are in the form of poetry that was published in Brooding The Heartlands: Poets of the Midwest by Bottom Dog Press(now out of print); Tilting the Continent: Southeast Asian American Writing 1st Edition by Shirley Geok-lin Lim (Editor), Cheng Lok Chua (Editor); and my book Solitude of Five Black Moons, that went into second print in September 2015 by Wayne State University Press: http://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/books/detail/solitude-five-black-moons This ongoing journey of researching my ancestry began when I found photographs of Macario, my mother, grandfather, and great uncles, and, an original Detroit newspaper article about him in my home. According to my mom, Macario came to Detroit, MI to visit my mom,grandfather, and great uncles but was also in the US in an effort to get reparations for Filipino soldiers that served in WW II along with US soldiers during the Japannese invasion. A few years ago, I went to the Detroit Main Public Library and was able to find other newspaper articles about Macario. At the library, while on Ancestry.com, I was able to find ship records of my grandfather and his brothers when they left from the Philippines and entered the US...in Alaska or California...I can't recall right at this moment...A few years ago, I found photographs of my gandfather working for the Libby Alaskan fishery. Two summers ago, I found the original crumbling birth certificates of my Lolo (grandfather) Lauro de Peralta who was born in August 18, 1890 in Luna La Union, and, my Lola (grandmother) Narcisa Napenas, who was born October 26, 2890. The birth certificates gave me a little more insight on Spain's involvement through the priests to convert Filipinos to Catholicism. It is from finding things like this that compel me to find my relaties. I miss my relatives. The last time I was there was in 1989, when my Lola passed away. Most of my elder relatives are gone now. I think my only uncle, Dr. Conrado Peralta is still alive. When my mom was very ill, my Manong Alex and I tried to contact him, but my only first cousin Raul, would not return calls or a letter. Manong Alex was able to leave a message for my uncle at his clinic in Mindanao, but I never received a message back. I know, my gut feeling tells me I still have relatives in Manila, Quezon City, Luna and San Fernando, but I haven't been able to find them. I remember my cousins Abat and Sotera, and wonder if they are still alive in Luna. My Lola's sisters, Lola Calise and Lola Lucia passed away years ago also. All I wanted to do was let my relatives know that mom was ill and was in a state of depression from my father getting ill and then passing away. Right before her 90th birthday, we had talked about taking her home to the Philippines, and were the process of getting her papers in order to go. Mom wanted to get her affairs in order in the Philippines, concerning land she inherited, that would be passed down to me, my brother and sister. I had everything packed up to be shipped there. Then she became very ill and couldn't travel. There are so many reminders in my home that compel me to find my relatives. I have so many photographs that I am in the process of getting back into photo albums. I still have a 1967 photo of me with my Igorot statue, standing in the yard of my relatives homes, at Number 2 Batino Street Project 3 in Quezon City. On the back of the photo it says, "Auring (my nickname), holding an Igorot head hunter figurine. Taken at Quezon City, Philippines, August 21, 1967." It whas taken a couple of days after my Lolo's birthday and we sent it to him while he was living with us in Detroit. This is a photo of my grandfather(sixth from right, in middle with hat on)with other Filipino workers at the Libby McNeil and Libby North Alaskan Cannery July 2,1933. It says, "Remembrance of the Libby McNeil and Libby Koggiung Cannery North Alaska"

Detroit Broadside Press 50th Anniversary Events Sept 17-20 2015

It has been a wonderful week! I celebrated my birthday and Broadside Press is celebrating its 50th year! Poetry by special guests and open mic tonight, September 19, 2015 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. at the University of Michigan Center in Detroit, on Woodward and MLK Blvd. It's official! My book Solitude of Five Black Moons has been re-printed by Wayne State University Press! http://www.wsupress.wayne.edu/books/detail/solitude-five-black-moons Tomorrow, September 20th, we will have a Black Genius Panel at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History from 3:00 - 6:00

Detroit: Broadside Press' 50th Anniversary Sept 17-20 2015

Good Morning Broadside Lotus Press Family and Friends! Two important announcements: 1. Detroit's Broadside Press merged with Lotus Press. We are now Broadside Lotus Press. 2. Get ready for four exciting days of celebraton and poetry in Detroit! September 17-20, Broadside Press will celebrating our 50th Anniversary! September 17- "Invoking the Spirit, Honoring Broadside Lotus Ancestors" in the Ballroom of the University of Detroit-Mercy, 6 -8 p.m. September 18- "A Legacy of Excellence." Reoception in Strohm Hall, Detroit Main Public Library at 7:00 p.m. Program in the Friends Auditorium, Detroit Main Public Library 8:15-9:30 p.m. September 19- Children's writing workshop 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.; High School Writers workshop: My Own Slam 3:00-5:00 p.m.; "Detroit Poets Rock" 6:30-9:00 p.m at the University of Michigan Center on Woodward and Mack The September 20th event "Black Genius in the 21st Century: Innovators in the Arts Technology, and Community Development" will take place at the Charles Wright Museum African American History 3:00-6:00 p.m. Also, Broadside Lotus Press is on Facebook. Click the link to see the events flyer https://www.facebook.com/pages/Broadside-Lotus-Press/191974004228386 If you would like to contact us, we can be reached at broadsidelotus@gmail.com Broadside Lotus Press P.O. Box 02011 Detroit, MI 48202

In Detroit: ADA Legacy Project/Tour July 21, 2015

ADA Legacy Project/Tour -­ Americans With Disability Legacy Tour -­ Michigan Detroit, MI www.adamichigan.wordpress.com PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Susan Fitzmaurice, susan@disabilitysavvy.com, 248-­767-­2217 Loren Glover, LorenGlover@ymail.com, 313-­831-­0202 Brooke Blackwell, bblackwell@dwmha.com, 313-­580-­2101 ____________________________________________________________________________ Americans with Disability Act (ADA) 25th Anniversary Celebration in Detroit -­ July 21, 2015 ADA Legacy Tour Bus comes to Detroit Eastern Market ____________________________________________________________________________ July 2015 marks the 25th Anniversary of the groundbreaking passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the United States civil rights legislation that protects and addresses the diverse rights of people with disabilities-­-­the world's first comprehensive declaration of equality for people with disabilities. To commemorate this Anniversary, the national ADA Legacy Tour, (http://adalegacy.org/), a two year-­long, cross-­country traveling education exhibit and "Road to Freedom" Bus will be at Detroit Eastern Market, Shed 3 on July 21st from 9:30am to 3:00pm to raise awareness and educate the public about the ADA, disability rights and advocacy. The Detroit community is honored to be selected as one of the hosts for the ADA Legacy Tour as it heads to Washington D.C. for the July 26 National ADA Celebration and Parade. We are equally honored that The Honorable John D. Dingell, Member of Congress 1955-­ 2015, one of the sponsors of the original ADA legislation, will be the distinguished speaker at the event at Eastern Market. With the passage of the ADA in 1990, Congressman Dingell declared, “Enactment of this landmark legislation opens the doors of opportunity to millions of Americans with disabilities who will be able to realize their highest hopes, ambitions and dreams.” Other highlights include Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Circuit Court Judge Deborah Thomas, Ms. Wheelchair Michigan Kristen Milefchik, former MSU Basketball player Anthony Ianni, Human Rights Activist Elizabeth Bauer, Paralympian Winner & Wheelchair dancer Cheryl Angelelli, Tom Olin's iconic photographs of the disability rights movement, the Matrix Theatre Company's Justin Dart Hero Puppet, Kuungana African Drums, wheelchair dancing, performances by Wild Swan Theatre, with a deaf and hearing cast, music, photo booth, many interactive activities, face painting, and recording and telling of your own story. Come celebrate and commemorate the civil rights legislation, the ADA in the "D”. The Legacy Tour Bus and events are a momentous opportunity for ALL people, young and old, disabled and non-­disabled to celebrate the sweeping disability activism, to enjoy accessible activities, education and entertainment-­-­-­all of which are FREE, fun, enriching, and fuel us to continue our work to create a world where everyone is intentionally welcomed and included. Media interviews with speakers and persons who have been impacted by the ADA can be arranged. "Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down." George H. W. Bush, July 26, 1990 at the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act -- -- Rich Feldman 248-225-8037 @rfeldman60