Podcast Summary: "Turn Up The Volume" (w/ Tourmaline) – Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Podcast Information:
- Title: Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
- Episode: “Turn Up The Volume” (w/ Tourmaline)
- Release Date: May 14, 2025
- Hosts: Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
- Guest: Anna Hazniyeh, Filmmaker and Author of The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson
- Produced by: Big Money Players Network and iHeartPodcasts
Introduction
In the episode titled “Turn Up The Volume,” Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang welcome Anna Hazniyeh, a renowned filmmaker and author, to delve deep into the life and legacy of Marsha P. Johnson, a pivotal figure in queer history. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartPodcasts, this episode intertwines discussions about cultural history, personal experiences, and contemporary challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community.
Anna Hazniyeh’s Return to New York City
Embracing Her Roots
[02:28] Matt Rogers: “I have to really check in with you because you are as of two days ago officially a New Yorker again.”
Anna discusses her recent move back to New York City after living in Miami. She reflects on the emotional and physical journey of relocating, emphasizing the significance of returning to her cultural and historical roots.
[02:46] Bowen Yang: “It was a Marie Kondo moment of my shit. Did not spark joy.”
Anna shares her experience of decluttering her belongings upon moving back, highlighting the emotional weight of letting go of items that no longer served her.
Exploring The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson
A Definitive Biography
[05:37] Bowen Yang: “The new book is actually... a definitive, I would say, biography on Marsha P. Johnson, but also... a queer history of New York.”
Anna introduces her book, which not only chronicles the life of Marsha P. Johnson but also situates her story within the broader tapestry of queer history in New York City. She emphasizes the book's dual focus on personal biography and collective history.
[06:05] Matt Rogers: “She has such a deep history with this part of town. Truly definitive.”
Matt acknowledges the depth and significance of Anna’s work in capturing the essence of Marsha P. Johnson and the queer communities of areas like Christopher Street and the West Village.
Personal Connections and Historical Context
Anna recounts her personal experiences in Christopher Street, a historic hub for the LGBTQ+ community. She describes how this area was instrumental in fostering a sense of belonging and activism among queer, trans, and gender non-conforming individuals.
[07:14] Anna Hazniyeh: “I have spent so much time on Christopher Street... taking up space. We were turning up the volume of our life.”
Her narrative paints a vivid picture of the vibrant and sometimes tumultuous environment that shaped Marsha P. Johnson and her contemporaries.
Trauma, Memory, and Activism
The Impact of Trauma on Collective Memory
[09:07] Anna Hazniyeh: “Trauma shapes our memory... Marcia talked about being lost in the music.”
Anna delves into how traumatic events, such as the Stonewall Riots, influence individual and collective memories. She highlights Marsha P. Johnson’s own recollections, which blend joy and trauma, illustrating the complexity of her experiences.
[12:00] Matt Rogers: “But her sort of reconceiving that moment is Piscine in the sense that...”
The hosts discuss the metaphorical representation of Marsha’s experiences, likening her ability to reconnect and find joy despite trauma to the mutable and immersive nature of Pisces.
Building Community Through Adversity
[14:05] Anna Hazniyeh: “It's a place where they would dream their life into being... turning over the table.”
Anna emphasizes the transformative power of communal spaces and righteous anger in fostering activism. She explains how Marsha and Sylvia Rivera used their resilience to inspire and mobilize others.
[15:03] Bowen Yang: “Power can be wrestled out of someone who's wielding power thoughtlessly or carelessly.”
This quote encapsulates the essence of reclaiming power through collective action and defiance against oppressive systems.
Contemporary Challenges and Resilience
Attacks on Queer Literature and Representation
[31:12] Anna Hazniyeh: “We're seeing it from obviously the highest office, political office... affecting the classroom.”
Anna addresses the contemporary attacks on queer literature and representation, citing policies that undermine gender identity recognition and funding withdrawals from organizations like the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). She highlights the tangible impacts of these policies on the LGBTQ+ community.
[32:21] Matt Rogers: “Despair has to be a transitional phase. It cannot be the terminus.”
Matt underscores Anna’s point, emphasizing the necessity of moving beyond despair to find solutions and maintain resilience in the face of adversity.
Funding and Support for the Community
[33:00] Anna Hazniyeh: “An organization that's near and dear to my heart is the Trans Justice Funding Project...”
Anna discusses her involvement in fundraising for grassroots organizations that support the transgender community, emphasizing the importance of financial backing in sustaining advocacy and support efforts.
The Role of Imagination and Joy in Activism
Theme Parks as Cultural and Imaginative Spaces
[19:48] Anna Hazniyeh: “For me, New York City was my studio and the subway Train was my place of rest and respite.”
Anna draws parallels between immersive experiences in theme parks and the act of activism, suggesting that spaces like Disney’s theme parks offer a form of escape and imagination that fosters creativity and resilience.
[21:36] Bowen Yang: “When I feel like I want to escape... it's like turning up the volume.”
Bowen connects Anna’s experiences with theme parks to the broader theme of using joy and imagination as tools for coping and activism, illustrating how cultural engagement can transform personal and collective experiences.
Cultivating a Positive Outlook
[36:31] Anna Hazniyeh: “I firmly believe that now is like, who are the helpers? In our community...”
Anna emphasizes the importance of focusing on solutions and helpers within the community to foster hope and clarity, rather than succumbing to despair.
[36:59] Matt Rogers: “Despair has to be a transitional place for me.”
Matt echoes Anna’s sentiment, reinforcing the idea that despair should be a temporary state that propels individuals toward action and change.
Preserving and Celebrating Queer History
The Significance of Historical Landmarks
[26:41] Bowen Yang: “I fear for the duplex. I do.”
Bowen expresses concern over the potential loss of historical landmarks like the duplex where Marsha P. Johnson and others lived, highlighting the need to preserve spaces integral to queer history.
[27:17] Anna Hazniyeh: “It's not one place, it is an abundance of places creating a very particular vibe.”
Anna reinforces the importance of multiple historical sites in maintaining the cultural and historical fabric of the queer community, advocating for their preservation and landmarking.
The Enduring Legacy of Marsha P. Johnson
[40:02] Matt Rogers: “They were just creating the world that they wanted to live in.”
Matt reflects on how Marsha P. Johnson and her contemporaries actively shaped their community, laying the groundwork for future generations to thrive.
[45:35] Anna Hazniyeh: “Marcia was so good. She'd be like, hello, Sylvia.”
Anna shares anecdotes about Marsha’s charismatic and performative nature, illustrating her ability to connect deeply with her community and inspire others through her presence.
Conclusion: The Power of Turning Up the Volume
Throughout the episode, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, alongside Anna Hazniyeh, explore the multifaceted legacy of Marsha P. Johnson and the enduring impact of queer activism in New York City. The discussions emphasize the importance of memory, community, and resilience in the face of adversity. Anna’s exploration of how joy and imagination serve as powerful tools for activism provides a hopeful outlook for the future of the LGBTQ+ community.
Notable Quotes
- Anna Hazniyeh [05:37]: “The new book is actually... a definitive, I would say, biography on Marsha P. Johnson, but also... a queer history of New York.”
- Bowen Yang [14:05]: “Power can be wrestled out of someone who's wielding power thoughtlessly or carelessly.”
- Matt Rogers [33:00]: “Despair has to be a transitional phase. It cannot be the terminus.”
- Anna Hazniyeh [36:31]: “I firmly believe that now is like, who are the helpers? In our community...”
This episode of Las Culturistas not only honors the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson but also serves as a rallying cry for continued activism and cultural preservation within the queer community. Through Anna Hazniyeh’s insights, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between history, memory, and the ongoing fight for equality and representation.