Introduction to 'What I am Not' - Zine Project
A few months ago I received emails from young graduates looking for a possible internship at Riso Pop; quite exciting of course, for a small and new studio like me! I was curious to see what new blood could bring to the table, and encouraged them to send me proposals for projects and possible workshops for the community.
Sadly due to COVID the new interns were not able to travel and we’ve had to move some of the projects online.
One of the young participants is Veronica Romero, for the USA, who will be managing a new zine project: What I am Not. I asked her to introduce herself and the project here in the blog:
Veronica Romero
Hello! My name is Veronica Romero, I’m 22 years old, and I’m a graphic designer from Cary, North Carolina. I very recently graduated from Appalachian State University where I obtained my BFA in Graphic Design, and I am just itching to start creating work where I can relate to people all over the world. Since I just finished up school in May and also during quarantine, I’ve been living with my parents and my sister for the last few months— so I have had plenty of time to think about this new project and why I want to pursue it.
My Story
I was born in Jiangxi, China, in 1997. I was only 11 months old when I was adopted, so I have no memory of what it was like there. For the short time that I was there, I lived in an orphanage with other kids just like me. Everyone’s parents put them up for adoption for different reasons I’m sure, mine supposedly didn’t have enough resources to raise another child, especially a girl. Eventually I was adopted by two absolutely lovely humans: Diana and John Romero.
These two I call my parents, and I am thankful for the role they have played in my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them, and while I thank them for helping me develop my identity as a sister, a daughter, and as a student, they could not help me figure out who I am as a Chinese-American and what that means to me.
This subject is also something I never took the time to think about until I went to college and my friends knew about their heritage and what about their culture made them comfortable with themselves. I never thought that me being Chinese made me any more special than someone else, but I always knew that if I could tap into that part of me, it would hopefully make me more confident and more educated on my background. So during my senior year, I pitched a project that gave me the opportunity to do some research and self-reflection on my experience as a Chinese-American in hopes of making my identity clearer for myself. Unfortunately, I never got to complete this with the rise of COVID and the quickly ending semester.
The Project - What I am Not
The Project “What I am Not” aims to create a publication/a zine, where participants are given a space to freely talk about their individual struggles and any confusion that comes with that.
I wanted to create a space for those who feel similarly to me to be able to voice their stories. This publication is both for myself and for others— I wanted to empathize with those who have similar experiences to mine, but I also want it to be accessible to those who might not understand what it’s like living with a confusing identity.
There have been countless stories of people who have felt like the “other” in different situations, and I can feel for them because I can completely understand where they are coming from. I am judged based purely off of my appearance as a Chinese-American rather than just being a human. I’m looking forward to being able to create a community of people who have felt similarly and want to express it.
This project will combine layout design as well as illustration from artists around the world. It’s a way for artists and designers to collaborate with each other to spread awareness and information about peoples’ backgrounds. It humanizes these stories and connects people with similar experiences. As for the stories that don’t make it into the zine, we will publish on the blog page, so that this project doesn’t stop at this singular publication, but continues so that these people feel like they’re being heard.
How can you participate?
We’re looking for 8 stories accompanied by 8 illustrations.
We’re making the submissions open to anyone who wants to voice their experiences as the “other” in hopes of creating an inclusive space for people to share. Read here below how you can join:
Are you a writer or do you have a story to tell?
Your story has to be 500-1000 words long,
Language English or in Native Language with translation,
Writer Deadline: 10 August 2020
Are you an illustrator and interested in this project?
Fill the submission of interest with examples of your work - Deadline 10th of August 2020
8 illustrators will be chosen for this project to match each story,
Illustration Deadline: 31st of August.
Disclaimer: as writer or illustrator you will keep the full copyright to your work. Participants will receive 5 copies of the zine and your name and social media will be shared within the publication. The sales of the zine will be primarily used to cover printing costs and make future community zine projects possible.
