Simon Tam: Slanted
Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took On the Supreme Court: Simon Tam is an author, musician, activist, and troublemaker. When Simon Tam started an Asian American dance rock band called The Slants, he didn’t realize that he was starting an entire movement around freedom of expression and discussions on identity. The band flipped stereotypes with their bombastic live shows and community activism. Tam named his band The Slants to "reclaim" and "take ownership" of Asian stereotypes. But when Simon applied to register a trademark on the band’s name, the government dragged him all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. He eventually won a unanimous victory for the landmark case, Matal vs. Tam and helped expand civil liberties for minorities. Slanted is “the story of an indomitable spirit who so believes in the idea of justice that he’s willing to risk everything along the way for the dignity of self-identity. [His] story provides a raw look at our legal system with unflinching honesty and offers timely insights on freedom of speech, how to connect with others we disagree with, and the power of music." CSUSM Students: free. Community: optional donation. Faculty/Staff/Alumni: optional donation. All donations will go back into the Arts & Lectures fund to provide for future events.