Jorene Ariel Zapata

Native Astorian~ QC English MA academic account

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@ProfCKHong All of these AAPI graphic novels that I will one day share with my nephew! Thank you for all your knowledge! 😀

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@CheyanneTraill Exactly! Agreed, this whole passage was so blunt, but it characterized how emotions are portrayed universally and culturally. "Universal" grief is felt by everyone but not all writers' stories of grief are marketed the same. #hongcomics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@JasonAltmanQC I completely agree and think Khor feels like they are yelling into the void. They are trying to exist as their own voice as opposed to the voice of their culture. #hongcomics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

..work and there is a sense of futility & hopelessness which is relatable. Khor's vulnerability does not seek to resolve anything but just hopes to find their own space, not a space built out of expectation, a space they build for themselves. (2/2). #hongcomics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

In Shing Yin Khor's comic, "I Do Not Want to Write Today: A Comic" they still end up writing about the constant appropriation of marginalized people's work, and it shows that this cycle is inescapable. Khor experiments with dark humor in a lot of their..(1/2) #hongcomics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@TLMcLean21 Yes, myths and storytelling bring many different individuals together, and Khor's graphic novel highlights the power of storytelling and inclusivity. #hongcomics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@ashley_oken I completely agree, and I find it refreshing to bring this conversation to light because American myths are so tightly held in the culture. To challenge the ownership of myths such as Paul Bunyan is to start to take ownership of one's identity in the broader culture. #hongcomics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

There is that element of pure fiction and the freedom that comes with this choice, and Khor was able to create Auntie Po to represent what they wanted to see in this classic American folktale. (2/2) #hongcomics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

I was watching an interview with Shing Yin Khor and a few other authors, and I found it interesting that they based Auntie Po off of Paul Bunyan, because he is the only American folk character that is not based on a real person. (1/2). #hongcomics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@ProfCKHong Miso soup with tons of scallions on these cold nights! 🥰

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@FarihaWadud Agreed - the thoughtfulness of building these three separate tales to then masterfully reveal that they are all connected is genius. This makes the experience of reading Yang's work more layered and interesting. #hongcomics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@Thvringwethil We initially read these stories as three separate tales when they are all connected. Reading it and already having that context was interesting, and allowed me to delve deeper into the pain behind Jin's facade, and the microaggressions that lead up to creating Danny. #hongcomics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

Yang's "American Born Chinese" intertwines three narratives that explore transformation and identity in lighthearted and meaningful ways. On page 105 Amelia says "yes" to Jin, and his excitement is expressed through the artwork. #hongcomics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@ProfCKHong Time for a much needed mani and pedi!

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@TLMcLean21 I enjoyed this juxtaposition as well, and appreciated the attention to the nuances and also the intersections. This intersection is at the heart of Som's identity as well. Culture influences how she navigates her own desires and finds her true self along the way. The #hongcomics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@Gavin_Singh93 I completely agree. This was a powerful reclamation of self. #HongComics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

What is most intriguing about this approach is how it mirrors the trajectory of Bishakh's evolution as a human. Bishakh further explores trans identity by creating Anjali to find an extension of self on the page. (2/2) #HongComics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

Bishakh Som's graphic memoir "Spellbound" broke the fourth wall in the beginning by having Bishakh address the reader directly. The use of darker colors gave these initial pages a film noir feeling, which was tempting and foreboding at the same time. (1/2) #HongComics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@Thvringwethil Great point - the artwork speaks for itself throughout the story, and the conversation and the voice-over seems more natural. There are moments with no text or jumbled text the reader becomes accustomed to Curato's stylistic approach. #HongComics

[Jorene Ariel Zapata @Joreneariel]

@Gavin_Singh93 Agreed - this story really felt vulnerable, but there were also subtleties that made the vulnerability even more relatable. #hongcomics