Language as resistance, words as collage: Don Mee Choi and Theresa Hak Kyung Cha

Though published many decades apart, these two texts share similarities both in their subject matter and their experimental qualities. Just as Dictee cannot be merely labeled as a memoir and DMZ Colony cannot be labeled purely as a poetry collection, both texts expand our understanding of genre by weaving together prose, poetry and photographs. Moreover, they “hold history accountable” by integrating historical events into the deeply personal, ranging from Japanese colonization of Korea to the Korean War. In doing so, these Korean American writers give voice to feelings and understandings that have often been silenced. By looking at these two texts in tandem, we will examine their use of language to resist power and silencing as well as how their experimental methods seek to give birth to new ways of being. For BIPOC participants only.

Texts:
DMZ Colony by Don Mee Choi
Dictee by Theresa Hak Kyung Cha

First assignment
Participants should read DMZ Colony before first meeting.

Access Program
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