Diaspora Blues

We speak to Director, Writer and Video Artist Photographer Ez Eldin Deng. Ez discusses his start in film, capturing the fullness of the South Sudanese experience in Australia, and the inspiration behind his exhibition 40 days - A Journey Back in Memory.

On this week's show, we speak to journalist and content creator Mariam Koslay about her youtube series African Kings. If you'd like to support 3CR's radiothon campaign click here or call 3CR on 03 9419 8377.Donations over $2 are tax-deductible.

Are you thinking of starting a podcast? Are you an established podcaster? Maybe you're just a fan of podcasts? Whatever the reason, this episode is for anyone who loves a good, honest conversation. To help us understand the appeal of this medium, I reached out to Nana, host of the podcast 'The Subtlety Of It'. And today, we get to pick her brain and find out what it is about this platform that moves her so.NanaNana is a podcaster, producer, law student and the creator of the podcast, The Subtlety of It. Nana is interested in exploring seemingly small aspects of our identity with affect us in not so subtle ways. She is particularly interested in centring the experiences of Black women across a multitude of intersections. She created The Subtlety of It in 2019 to hold space for tender conversations where we can heal, laugh, lovingly drag ourselves, and embrace the discomfort and joy that comes with introspection.

On this week's show, we chat with the crew from Real Youth Music Studio (RYMS) and share our favourite highlights from the ViệtSpeak x Small Axe Forum.

Last year we spoke to Tony Bui and Lana Nguyen about the Vietnamese Bilingual Program. At the time of that recording the bilingual program was on its way out after serving the community for close to 20 years. But the fight to establish a new Vietnamese Bilingual program isnt over yet. Today we chat to Brendan Duong, one of the people behind the campaign VietSpeak. VietSpeak is a community organisation fighting to build a Vietnamese Bilingual language program in Melbourne’s West. And later in the show we’ll hear a speech by Jeanine Hourani who spoke at the Free Palestine rally in Melbourne.For more information on the VietSpeak forum click here. Melbourne initiatives supporting Palestinans: Free Palestine Melbourne.Upcoming event to raise awareness on Palestine: FPM Online Nakba Forum: Returning to Palestine (liberated) & Discussion Supporting #SaveSheikhJarrahIf you work in media and would like to lend your support to Palestinans, check out this article.

This week we listen to a special broadcast by 3CR presenter and producer Michele Vescio. Michele was kind enough to give us permission to play their interview with Malaika Mfalme, a queer non-binary mixed-race African/Australian POC and singer/songwriter. Malaika spoke to Michele about their queer and cultural identities in the context of disability, illness, ableism, visibility, and representation. This conversation was part of 3CR's Binary Busting Broadcast - a special 7 hours of trans and gender diverse radio in the lead up to the 2021 Transgender Day of Visibility in late March.Michele Vescio is a 3CR presenter/ producer and trainer and a sound artist/ designer working in mixed media. Their work has been exhibited nationally and internationally in galleries and non-traditional public spaces. Follow them via the Twitter handle @Mchl_Vsc.You can listen to the full interview + more content from that episode here. Content WarningThis interview contains descriptions and discussions of mental health and illness, othering, and queerphobia that may be distressing for some listeners. If this type of content is a trigger for you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or lifeline.org.au, Switchboard Victoria on 1800 184 527 or switchboard.org.au, or contact your state-based service.

This week we have the brilliant Namila Benson gracing our program. Namila sat down with us to yarn about exceptionalism, the importance of having people in your corner and her foray into tv with 'Art Works'. Namila Benson is an arts journalist who hosts the national television arts program, Art Works. She also presents and co-produces, The Art Show on ABC Radio National. She explores race, culture, gender and the human condition through a creative lens, critiquing colonial systems and structures. In 2019, Namila authored the memoir, ‘Jack Charles: Born-Again Blakfella’. Art Works will screen Wednesdays each week at 8.30pm on  ABC TV, from Wednesday 5th May and can also be seen on iView.

This is a story of growing up black in France, switching careers, finding a new home and creating community through food and poetry. GuestAminata is from the African Diaspora With Bambara, Yoruba and Peulh roots. LinksIndigenousX Dhadjowa Foundation

This week we're joined by Dean Lim from Behind Closed Doors. Dean talks about being a role model for the community and an advocate for yourself. He shares tips on how to be an ally to sex workers. He also discusses why decriminalizing sex work is a start, not an end. And finally, what does Behind Closed Doors have in store for their Midsumma performance? Dean gets into that and more.

This week we play speeches from STOP BLACK DEATHS IN CUSTODY - 30 years since the RCIADIC rally organized by Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance. SpeechesApryl DayApryl reads the 10 demands from families who’ve lost a loved one in custody. Apryl is an activist, community organiser and the daughter of Tanya Day. She also founded Dhadjowa Foundation in collaboration with other families who've lost a loved one to the custodial system.Robbie ThorpeRobbie talks about consent, the white-washing of Aboriginal history and the ways bureaucracy undermines sovereignty. Robbie is a Gunai/Mara campaigner and the host of the 3CR programs Fire First and Blak 'n' DeadlySongSlippinArtistDMXDMX on how he influenced Hip Hop.