On beauty standards in Taiwan, and staying strong and healthy ft. Wanda Diao

On beauty standards in Taiwan, and staying strong and healthy ft. Wanda Diao

This is part 2 of my conversation with Wanda Diao. In this 2-part interview, Wanda shares with us how she found her way to doing Olympic weightlifting as a hobby and her experience as a vegetarian weightlifter. In this episode, Wanda and I talk about how beauty standards have evolved in Taiwan, Wanda’s experience on running a public Instagram account, and what’s next for her. This is also the final episode of That’s Debatable as I’ll be leaving the team, and I’ll spend some time towards the end to say goodbye. Follow Wanda on Instagram @wanda_wanerh

Finding my way to Olympic weightlifting ft. Wanda Diao

Growing up in Taiwan as a kid, I seldom felt that women were encouraged to be strong and do weight lifting. Beauty standards back in the day, and honestly, in current times have been disappointing to say the least. Nowadays, it’s wonderful to see more women working out, staying strong, and doing weightlifting. In this episode, you’ll hear from Wanda Diao, who’s been doing Olympic weightlifting as a hobby for around 5 years. Wanda is also vegetarian. What was the spark for Wanda to step into the world of weightlifting? What are some misconceptions about being vegetarian while aiming to stay strong? My guest is not a professional athlete or a nutritionist and will be sharing from her personal experience. Let’s get started. Follow Wanda on Instagram @wanda_wanerh

Amnesty International’s reports on Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians and unlawful use of US-made munitions ft. Laura Moye

In this extended episode, you’ll hear from Laura Moye, Country Specialist of Amnesty International Taiwan. We will focus on 2 reports published by Amnesty International: "Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel system of domination and crime against humanity" and “Unlawful Use of US-made Munitions and Violations of International Law by Israel Since January 2023.” Based on the 2 reports, Laura shares with us what actions of the state of Israel constitute apartheid against Palestinians, and the U.S. government’s complicity in the Israeli state’s ongoing aggression against Palestinians in Gaza. Laura also touches on what it means for Taiwan to be a country that prides itself as supportive of universal human rights yet staying silent while the Israeli army continues their aggression in Gaza.  Amnesty International's report "Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: Cruel system of domination and crime against humanity” [https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/5141/2022/en/] Amnesty International’s April 2024 report on US military aid [https://www.amnesty.org/ehttps://www.amnestyusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/4.29.2024-NSM-20-AIUSA-submission-re-Israel.pdfn/documents/mde15/5141/2022/en/] Cover photo: The separation wall built by Israel in the West Bank. (Photo: Shirin Yaseen/United Nations)

On allyship, improvisation, and pivot ft. Nafis M. White

This is part 2 of my conversation with artist Nafis White. In this episode, Nafis shares with us how she approaches her role as an artist, educator, and as a human. We talked about the Black Lives Matter movement during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how an artist could utilize their skills to mobilize communities to fight against injustices. Nafis also shares what improvisation and pivot mean to her. Without further ado, let’s dive right black in. Check out Nafis' website: http://www.nafiswhite.com/ [http://www.nafiswhite.com/] Follow Nafis' work on Instagram @nafis_m_white Photo: Nafis’ performance work titled Elevation. Large pieces of brown paper line the wall, broken down into individual manifestos, written through deep meditation and intuitive practice, painted as a stream of consciousness. (Photo: Nafis White)

Alchemizing trauma into something beautiful ft. Nafis M. White

Hair, Embodied Knowledge, Ancestral Recall, Audacity of Survival, Bobby Pins. These are the materials of the sculptural work Oculus by artist Nafis M. White, whom you’ll get to know in this episode. In the midst of injustice, racism, and double standards in the current state of the world, how could we show up for ourselves and for others, with care, empathy, and solidarity? Today’s guest, Nafis, is one of the people I would turn to. Stemming from Nafis’ work: Strand (2019), A Burst of Light (2018), and Oculus (2021), we reflect on BIPOC bodies in spaces, institutional racism, honoring African and African American traditions, and so much more. I hope you feel the positive energy and the abundance of wisdom of my guest today, and find the strength in yourself to continue to show up for you and for people in need. Nafis M. White [http://www.nafiswhite.com] is an interdisciplinary artist based in Providence, RI, USA. White draws inspiration from the rich Diaspora of experiences and traditions of Black beauty and self care built upon centuries old histories of embodied knowledge that honors, celebrates, and values the innovation, technology and imagination carried through and passed on by the fingertips of Black people. Through play and continuous exploration, White employs her research on the intricate customs of Victorian Hair Weaving and mourning traditions and appropriates them using Black hair, beauty products, and hairstyling techniques where they were never imagined to take up space and esteem. White’s work has been shown at the RISD Museum, the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco, University of New Mexico Art Museum, National Queer Arts Festival San Francisco, and many more. Check out the website of Nafis M. White [https://www.nafiswhite.com/]: https://www.nafiswhite.com/