Queens Gazette

Queens- I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down Comic


The comic is available digitally (linktr.ee/kich)

Queens Chinese/Filipinx-American artist Kim Chan (she/they/siya) has released a short comic on the experience of white supremacy in Queens. The comic, “Queens- I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down” concisely tells the story of subtle and blatant racism against the 2020 social justice protests with a Queens-centric visual and personal perspective. The comic is an awardee of the Catalyst Commissions, a project by Creative Sanctum founder and Landecker Democracy Fellow Sharon M. Chin, which uses the power of art to inspire civic engagement in NYC communities. The comic was selected for its ability to draw attention to white supremacy’s many manifestations and impacts. The comic is available digitally (linktr.ee/kich) and a limited print run will be available soon.

Kim Chan is a graphic design student (with a concentration in Animation & Illustration) and co-founder of the art collective, Diverse Streets Initiative. Their work aims to advocate for the rights of Filipinx abroad and AAPI human rights here in the U.S. On the comic’s release, Chan notes “In Filipinx culture, there is a term called ‘bayanihan.’ It comes from the Tagalog word ‘bayan’ for nation and community; All together ‘bayanihan’ calls for working together to reach a certain goal. The pandemic revealed just how often we don’t work together, with many communities suffering disproportionately both healthwise and economically. But, with the rise of a growing social justice coalition, it has been equally uplifting to see people act in the spirit of bayanihan. It’s so important to continue this momentum even after the pandemic finally subsides.”

 

4 responses to “Queens- I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down Comic”

  1. Edna Chan says:

    Loved it. I am very proud of you!!!

  2. Queens Resident says:

    Thank you for sharing this work with us! Valuable perspective!

  3. Linda says:

    I was born in Flushing, and consider myself a Queens gal through and through. As a minority within a minority neighborhood that saw Flushing shift demographics, I’ve never felt acknowledged, embraced, or completely at home– “Queens- I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down” is the first time I’ve felt that warm hug.
    “I see you” this beautiful comic said. In it, I saw beautiful renditions of Queens landmarks and iconic symbols, little things that you’d only be able to recognize if you call Queens your stomping grounds: a little wink and nod. The artist allowed us to see Queens through their eyes, but also they saw through MY eyes:
    the same subway route I take home, the same shops I see, my neighborhood, downtown, the street tags, the street signs, “my people”, my people of Flushing, my people of Queens.
    I love Queens, I love Flushing, but it brings me down too sometimes and this little comic helped me feel seen because it spoke about the harsh truths, the superficial things that try to divide us. Knowing that someone else knew how out of place I felt, how hurt I sometimes felt in my own hometown, the city I was born in, made me feel even more in love with Flushing and Queens and more in love with my “neighbors”. It’s like family– There are flaws but there is also love and because of that love we have to strive to achieve more and be better.
    Thank you, Kim Chan for helping me know that I AM seen. Thank you for creating this work of are that acknowledges my experience and those who might share it when no one asked, for knowing how I felt when no one knew, and for somehow hearing me and my voice within the cacophony, dissonance, and harmony of Flushing, Queens.
    This is a beautiful work of art and a perfect ode to Queens.

    • Linda says:

      Let me add that if you’re not familiar with Flushing lore and history, this is a great place to start! Kim Chan does a great job demonstrating Flushing now and then within artistic anachronisms. Kim Chan has a keen, beautiful, clever, and thoughtful eye. It’s not enough to try to explain it so you have to read it yourself! I really cannot say enough about this book.

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