Beau Sia Reminds You To ‘Check Yo Self!’ (and Register to Vote)

A few weeks ago, the first “Asian American, Pacific Islander Rock the Vote” (AAPI Rock the Vote) was staged in Los Angeles, featuring many amazing performers and artists who reminded us of the importance of voting.

It was a star-studded event emceed by Lisa Ling, who said, “Asians are overachievers — you know that when you got an A- you were like ‘What the!?’ But as a group Asians get an F in voting.” According to the Asian American Justice Center’s 2006 American Community Survey, though nearly 7 million APIAs are eligible to vote, only half of those– about 3 million APIAs actually voted in 2004. (More AAPI Voting Facts in the US from an APIAvote.org Fact Sheet)

We also heard from her sister Laura Ling— who was captured and detained in North Korea for nearly five months– about her views on freedom post-captivity. There were also great performances by Esna Yoon, Dawen & actor James Kyson Lee (who sang a moving rendition of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’), Twilight actor Justin Chon, the band Satellite, and America’s Best Dance Crew winners Quest Crew brought down the house with their amazing moves.

But even with all these exciting performances, one of the highlights of the evening was “Check Yo Self!” by spoken word poet Beau Sia, who really made the audience think. The audience reaction in the video from the night is so loud that we actually lose bits and pieces of Beau’s performance, but the overall message still comes shining through– we all have a part in making our government work and it starts with our votes.

From Beau Sia:

i wrote and recited this for a “get out the vote,” event on sept 17th, 2010, in los angeles, ca. though performed in front of an audience primarily of asian descent, the content of this piece is for everyone to become more involved making their government reflect their needs. there are too many people to thank for this. for supporting my voice. for making this video. for putting together the event in which it was filmed. for working so hard to build a better world for something greater than themselves.

Remember: in order to vote in the election on November 2, you must register to vote by October 18. Find out more at Rock the Vote.