The Chicago Comics & Entertainment Expo is this weekend at McCormick Place, and if you’ll be at the convention, you can find me on two panels this year:
March 22, 11am-12pm | Room S405a | all-ages
“Sorting Fair Play Throughout the Universe: Doctor Who and Inclusion”
Description: “Many Doctor Who fans have been excited about Series 11 focusing on inclusive, diverse storylines and production issues. Although many fans welcome these changes, a small minority has been vocally resistant to greater diversity in media. Please join several Chicago-area Who fans for a lively discussion of how Doctor Who and other science fiction are facing unique challenges – and driving positive results – in fostering inclusion in geek and nerd media.
Panelists:
Gordon Dymowski (moderator), Chicago Doctor Who Meetup
Cristal Martinez
Dawn Xiana Moon – Director, Raks Geek
Shira Raider, Chicago Doctor Who Meetup
Michi Trota – Three Time Hugo Award Winning Editor, Uncanny Magazine
March 23, 11am-12pm | Room S405b | all-ages
“From Sulu to Rose Tico: Celebrating and Fighting for Asian Americans in Geek Culture”
Description: “Why was Twitter moved to tears by an action figure? How can a bellydancing Wookiee fight for marginalized creators? Join a panel of notable Asian-American writers, academics, and performers for an interactive discussion on representation in pop culture and the difference between the diaspora perspective and the homeland one. We’ll also celebrate Asian-America’s historical contributions and spotlight how diverse creators are shaping fandom now. This will be fun!
The panelists include a spectrum of Asian-Americans of Chinese, Filipino, and Sri Lankan descent, born in both Asia and the US:
Dawn Xiana Moon: Founder/Director of Raks Geek, the nerd bellydance and fire performance company that’s garnered acclaim from MSN, UK Channel 4 TV, and WGN-TV, and a singer-songwriter who’s performed in 10 states and released two albums.
Michi Trota: Three-time Hugo Award-winning Managing Editor & Nonfiction Editor of Uncanny Magazine (the first Filipina to win a Hugo Award).
Wesley Sun: Founder and Writer for Sun Bros Studios, which has released multiple comic titles and raised over $40,000 on Kickstarter.
Mary Anne Mohanraj: Author of Bodies in Motion (HarperCollins) and over a dozen other (primarily science fiction) titles, founder of Strange Horizons, and a professor at the University of Illinois – Chicago.
Mark Martell: Director of the Asian American Resource and Cultural Center at the University of Illinois – Chicago.
Looking forward to seeing you at the con!