Hi my name is Tryakel Anderson and I am a junior at the University of Washington. For my African American studies class I had to attend this event and I am very appreciative of this requirement. This event was very intriguing and inspirational for me. Being that I consider myself a feminist and I am also a musician (drums and clarinet) it was very interesting to attend a festival that commemorated those two things. Although there were many, the most intriguing aspect was the panel of women of color. They were women of multiple ethnicities who spoke to the audience about systematic change and media justice. I like that people were able to ask them questions about their work and that they advocated for women empowerment and solidarity.

Parents are so often made to feel shame for their children’s actions, for their kids being kids. Society is a fan of putting people into boxes. Mothers are supposed to keep their children in check. They’re told do dim their children’s light when they’re in public. This space is so revolutionary for allowing kid’s lights to shine brightly. They got to dance around, run around, give their input and be acknowledged like the real human minds that they are. Like facilitator Luzviminda Uzuri “Lulu” Carpenter put it, “Kids are our future ancestors.” Let’s treat them like it.

–Mercedes Delgado

The children’s panel, which kicked off a larger discussion is a wonder reflection on the day as a whole. Starting with some comments from the youngest participants of the conference (highlights including, “I loved the grass to play on” “Women who rock is a celebration!”) this portion then opened up to a discussion on the day and parts that were enjoyable and aspects that have been strengthened. This portion really encapsulates the event as a whole: a really open place to share, reflect, connect, educate and a plethora of other elements. This feels as though it’s the “closing ceremony” of the Women Who Rock (Un)Conference. One commenter in the audience said that it’s a place to, “honor the voices of women” which really helps to also sums up the warmth of the conference leading up to the cypher of the conference. And there is going to be cake before the cypher well. What could be better than educating yourself, music, making connections, and cake?!

Something that’s been really rewarding about attending the WWR conference is being exposed to the passions and skills of all sorts of people and significance of their skills. I went to the ‘social justice media’, which is a non-profit organization that helps people become technologically literate. It’s a program that emphasizes community and how having technological skills is a feminist tool; it helps people have access to valuable information and have their voice be heard. I also listened in on a skill sharing workshop, where a group of women learned a beautiful Balkan folk song. The leaders introduced with a traditional folk song about the morning star, and I appreciated its haunting quality. I overhead one of the leaders describe the work shop as a ‘beautiful bonding experience’ for the women present.

Group 14

Molly Woerner

The panel on media justice was led by Jasmine and Arethra from the Women Of Color For Systemic Change. Their lively personalitys balance well with the inspiring and empowering panel guests. All six members, Harmony, Lola, Denae, Sharon, Jackie, and Star experienced thel interplay of social injustice and the media. Their personal stories and encounters were riveting. Star’s personal story of human trafficking was moving. For she described her journey as one that allows her to share with others for those who cannot speak. At a young age music spoke to her and moved her. She sang the song “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” as one that “bite her”. When she sang I felt chills. This to me was an example of how music changes people’s lives and speaks to them to build community.

Something I really enjoyed learning about at the WWR (un)conference is the genre of music known as the ‘ son jarocho’, which is where a group of musicians play to the heartbeat that’s being led by the tarima, the person on the board stomping out the beat. A lovely, knowledgable woman explained to me that this music is practically impossible to classify because its learned through oral traditions that have been passed down for generations. She also explained the ‘really good’ players of the son jarocho understand that the music they’re playing is not a performance, the music they’re playing is meant to bring people together, to create a community. I thought of this particular genre as being a microcosm for the WWR (un)conference.

There is an awesome music workshop going outside of the cultural center. People are singing, dancing, and playing music. There are instructorrs on hand to teach people how to play the some of the instruments. I tried to learn how to play the one of them. It was a small gutiar. They showed me 3 simple strings to play. I thought to myself it wasnt so hard. But when it was time to put it together, things became complicated. I thanked the lady who was instructing me for being so patient with me. She explained to me that although its a only 3 simple strings, it takes many hours of practice to get the rythm down and be able to play it fluently. I admir their ability to play do well.

Group 14

Molly Woerner

The introduction of the Women Who Rock Unconference started with a light opening from various authors of its production. Explained as “her story”, Michelle and Sonnet proposed the question “why are women of color dis included from the story of popular music?” The other members of the introduction answered the question in a way by saying that it is now the job of the community to document and archive the stories of women to create participatory media. An interesting aspect of the introduction was the somewhat casual mood. This set the stage for a welcoming community forum which seems to be the purpose of the Women Who Rock. By taking the project to the people, a strong “female ethos” is built. This idea empowered the future forum and panel. Stepping away from the regular academic setting was refreshing. Cultivating a space of an open forum takes away of constrictions and constructs which is ultimately what keeps women out of the traditional stories of media.

Both Star and Jacque, when asked about the impact of social media on their work, expressedthe amount of privilege that we often don’t realize we have within our smartphones and social media. Jacque discussed the impact of social media to the movements behind ferguson and cases of social injustice in Mexico. She shared the example of how Mike Brown’s mother was able to speak and provide support to families in other countries who had their children taken. She stressed the power behind social media and how used as a tool for social justice, we could create further social change because it allows us to connect with other groups and band together And create a platform to bring oppression to light. Star spoke about the lack of media emphasis and underrepresentation  of native peoples within the local and national scales. She made the point that mainstream media neglects a huge portion of our communities or often portrays them in a negative light, which I think could be said for a lot of minority women including lgbt women.

-Bryonna S. Group 17