Other Publication Platforms for Asian Americans
Asian Americans have also used many publications that are not technically Asian and Asian American specific, using them as a creative means to discuss Asian and Asian American activism and experience. We highlight a couple examples of this on this exhibit, but Asian and Asian American students have used several mediums over time to platform their voice.
Snapshots of Color
Snapshots of Color was founded in 1995 by Willy Wong, and continued into Spring 1998, and was a literary magazine for contributors to voice their opinions on issues relating to race and ethnicity. It was created because Wong found that pre-existing publications didn’t quite represent the voices they wanted. The journal's statement of purpose states "Snapshots of Color is a literary and artistic journal about relating to race, culture, and ethnicity. The journal is a celebration of our diversity in that it fosters appreciation and understanding of our differences. Snapshots are inclusive of all Dartmouth community members, and we encourage everyone to attend meetings and submit work. This is the first journal of its kind to exist at Dartmouth, and we hope that it will break down barriers between groups while creating a new sense of community."
Many of the editors and main-stay writers were Asian and Asian American students who use the publication to write about their experiences. They faced considerable trouble securing funding for the publication — Dartmouth’s Council on Student Organizations told staff members of the journal that it could neither be recognized by the college nor receive student fees unless it let members of any ethnic group join. College officials pointed out that the students were still free to publish and distribute the journal on their own, as long as they came up with the funds. The editorial board modified its constitution to open membership to all members of the Dartmouth community. They were able to be recognized in 1996 by the COSO as an official Dartmouth group.
Spare Rib
Spare Rib was first founded in 1992 to inspire dialogue about the progression of women’s issues at Dartmouth. Its purpose was to examine all avenues of the feminine identity at Dartmouth and highlight persisting problems women faced following co-education. After a 25-year-long hiatus, it was relaunched in Fall 2020 by an Asian American woman to explore intersectional feminist issues which, the dialogue surrounding which had changed considerably since 1995. Its new purpose was to discuss the struggles and achievements of people marginalized by the traditionally centered narrative at Dartmouth and beyond. It is currently the only feminist publication on campus. It features "multiple aspects of the uncensored Dartmouth existence through humor and critique by students from all different backgrounds and identities."
These struggles and achievements include those of the Asian American students on campus. These experiences were poured into artwork, poetry, narrative prose, editorials, and many more artistic outlets in the magazine.
Can Access Available Editions on the Spare Rib website
The Stonefence Review
The Stonefence Review is Dartmouth's oldest active literary magazine. It was established in 1980, created by Dartmouth undergrads for Dartmouth undergrads, but open to the entire campus. Its core mission is to provide a vital forum for the intellectual, literary, and artistic communities of Dartmouth College. While its objective isn't directly oriented around Asian and Asian American identities, it continues to be an outlet for the community to express their creativity in poetry, prose, and visual artwork.
