18/08/2018
The meaning of “sisu.”
Other than being a POC student-owned independent publication based in San Francisco, the actual word “sisu” has a much deeper meaning. When choosing a name for our publication we proposed and discussed many possibilities, but once looking into this term knew it was exactly what we needed to represent our mission.
Sisu is a power within an individual that allows them to achieve anything despite difficult or nearly impossible conditions. This form of courage is not just mere perseverance, but an inner strength and bravery that is typically presented in situations where success is against the odds. When the entire world is working against you, it is sisu that keeps you going.
In today’s political climate and all throughout history minorities have been suppressed not just by those who hold more power than us, but even by the systems in which we are forced to operate under. Textbooks in school and information circulated in media is often white-washed or reconstructed in order to silence these injustices and fit a narrative that is not our own. Considering how little representation we see in the world, it is rare that we are given a space to speak our truths.
When speaking out against all odds one must shout to be heard and then can easily be criticized for their approach; therefore, takes a certain level of courage that is not easy to maintain. While it can be difficult to find sisu and stand up against these forces, we would like to serve as a platform that brings Sisu to these unheard voices.
In our first physical edition of Sisu, POC and LGBTQ+ artists go deep into the topics of love and identity. To check it out for yourself you can get a copy from our website or at our release party on September 1st!
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