"Hear Me ROAR" Premiere

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May 302024

Director & Editor: Denise Johnson Producer: Stephanie Drenka Funded by The Orchid Giving Circle Narrators: June Chow Shadia Awwad Lee Jo Lew Sadiya Patel Janet Teng https://dallasasianhistory.og -- “My story is not that interesting.” This response is common when we encourage community members to participate in our oral history initiatives. It’s something I understand all too well. I’ve felt similarly about my life for quite some time—waiting for that one extraordinary event that could be deemed “newsworthy,” something so unusual it borders on spectacle. “Hear Me ROAR” proves there’s beauty in the reality of life. It reminds us that our experiences—whether mundane or exceptional—all contribute to the tapestry of our identity and shape us into who we are today. It’s hardly one big moment that changes life’s trajectory, but rather the small moments and subsequent decisions we make. Someone out there is going through what you went through. Others need your perspective to better understand the world around them. For centuries, our history has been told from an outsider’s point of view. It's time to reclaim the narrative. Oral history empowers us to tell our own story from our perspective and in our terms. The Dallas Asian American Historical Society’s mission is to preserve and amplify our community’s voice, and we’ve been incredibly blessed to have the support and trust of so many Asian Americans here. But what good is a platform if you don’t use it to make a difference? Stephanie and I have always been unapologetic about our values, morals, and political stance. It felt so natural for our organization to reflect those same values. In today's world—where issues of social justice, equality, human rights, and several ongoing genocides demand our attention—remaining silent is not an option. History is not just a record of preceding events; it's a living, breathing narrative that informs the present and (hopefully) guides our actions toward a better tomorrow. By sharing our stories, amplifying marginalized voices, and engaging in conversations about current world events, we honor our past and shape the future we want to see. Free Palestine. Denise Johnson Co-founder and Program Director Dallas Asian American Historical Society