Shows
Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn SpeaksAsian Americans, Immigrant Justice & Internationalism: UNEDITED LECTUREThis is an unedited recording of a Zoom session from my Asian American Activism: Putting Theory into Practice (Pt. 1) course that was held synchronously in the Summer of 2025. In this session, I lecture on the topics of Immigrant Justice and Internationalism; some of the readings I discuss are drawn from my co-edited anthology, "Contemporary Asian American Activism," book. If you're interested in diving deeper into this material, you can sign-up for the self-paced version of this course here.
2025-11-061h 11
Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn SpeaksAsian American Student Organizing - UNEDITED LECTUREThis is the UNEDITED audio recording of a Zoom session focused on the topic of "Asian American Student Organizing," for the "Asian American Activism: Putting Theory into Practice (Pt. 1)," which was held synchronously in the Summer of 2025. The self-paced version of course is available here. The course includes difficult-to-access scholarly texts and other curated curricular material.
2025-11-061h 50
Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn SpeaksIntroduction: Building an Archive of Asian American Activist Praxis UNEDITED LECTUREThis is an unedited recording of a Zoom session from my Asian American Activism: Putting Theory into Practice (Pt. 1) course that was held synchronously in the Summer of 2025. In this session, I lecture on the Introduction of my co-edited, "Contemporary Asian American Activism," book. If you're interested in diving deeper into this material, you can sign-up for the self-paced version of this course here.The introduction examines the following topics:the origins of the Asian American Movement in the 1960s-1970s;the significance of cross-racial (or interracial) solidarity fr...
2025-11-062h 19
Academic AuntiesRemaginationCan we reimagine new ways living and being? Our guest this week certainly did so. After suffering tremendous loss during the pandemic, including the loss of her son, Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez gave up her tenured faculty position as a full professor at UC Davis to become land steward of Remagination Farms. Located two and a half hours north of San Francisco, Remagination Farms takes up Asian American activist Grace Lee Boggs invitation to "re-imagine everything." In our conversation, we talk about how devastating loss and heartache can push us to radically change the way...
2024-11-2040 min
The Amalgamation with Bruce Reyes-ChowE60 Bruce chats with Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez | Filipino American History MonthOn Episode 60 Dr. Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez returns to the show to check in a year after leaving academia, and starting a farm. We talk about retirement from academia, what it means to start and maintain a farm, a commitment to nurturing a community and, of course the question, Are you Filipino enough? If this is the first time meeting Dr. Rodgriguez, you are in for a treat and some good old-fashioned healing of the heart, mind, and soul.Thanks for being here! Grab a beverage, pull up a chair, and enjoy listening to my conversation with...
2023-10-2950 min
Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn SpeaksDebra Louie - Counselor at San Joaquin Delta CollegeDebra Louie has been an employee at San Joaquin Delta college for 30 years. At first, she was a classified manager in charge of outreach, and transfer of students, but later on, she became a counselor, and professor. She is currently retired, but decided to come back and work part time as a counselor. She, and some of her co-workers created the first API learning community called E.P.I.C at San Joaquin Delta college since they discovered that API students, especially Southeast Asian, and Filipinx students didn’t receive the help they needed. At a community college level, the...
2023-08-111h 06
Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn SpeaksSurvivor of Early COVID-19We interviewed someone who agreed to share her story with COVID-19. She would like to remain anonymous, but she has shared the following information: she is a young professional who has recently graduated from UC Davis. She shares her experience dealing with COVID-19 symptoms before the quarantine lockdown in California, and how she struggled to get the help she needed as a young adult in the American healthcare system.Shunned. Spat On. Beaten. With the rapid spread of the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic in 2020, so too have videos of anti-Asian hate and violence “gone vir...
2023-08-041h 17
Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn SpeaksAnna Pak - Undergraduate Student at UC DavisAnna Pak is a student at UC Davis majoring in Asian American Studies and English Literature. She shares her experience as a student dealing with the confusion at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic at UC Davis, and having to adapt to her online classes. Shunned. Spat On. Beaten. With the rapid spread of the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic in 2020, so too have videos of anti-Asian hate and violence “gone viral.” This hate and violence have become normalized due to politicians' repeatedly referring to coronavirus as the “Chinese Virus.” Shunning, being spit upon, and being bea...
2023-07-281h 04
Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn SpeaksDr. Cirian Villavicencio - Professor of Political Science at San Joaquin Delta CollegeShunned. Spat On. Beaten. With the rapid spread of the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic in 2020, so too have videos of anti-Asian hate and violence “gone viral.” This hate and violence have become normalized due to politicians' repeatedly referring to coronavirus as the “Chinese Virus.” Shunning, being spit upon, and being beaten are among the many forms of bigotry reported to the Stop AAPI Hate website by Asian Americans across the country. In its first week of operation, the Stop AAPI Hate website documented over 600 cases. Today, over 6,600 cases have been reported. This podcast humanizes the Asian American e...
2023-07-211h 02
Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn SpeaksFilipinx & Social Work with Nikki Abeleda and Dale MaglalangNext on our "Laban Group Podcast" series, Dr. Rodriguez is joined by Social Worker Nikki Abeleda and Dr. Dale Maglalang to discuss their work in academia and mental health and how it connects to social justice and community organizing. Hear about key issues in social work as they impact Filipinx communities from an academic and practitioner perspective. They also hold discussions on anti-Asian hate and the resources available for folks.This series is brought to you by The Laban Group, a Filipino Ethnic Media Collaborative that aims to promote anti-Asian hate awareness in our beloved Filipino American...
2023-07-0643 min
Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn SpeaksJournalism and Activism in the Philippines during Martial Law with Mark John SanchezStarting our "Laban Group Podcast" series, Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez is joined by Assistant Professor of Asian Studies, Mark John Sanchez, to discuss the role of journalism and activism in the Philippines during the era of Martial Law. This episode highlights how the media and activists navigated the repressive environment of the Marcos dictatorship, and also discusses how folks participated in transnational spaces. This series is brought to you by The Laban Group, a Filipino Ethnic Media Collaborative that aims to promote anti-Asian hate awareness in our beloved Filipino American community by advancing narrative change work that...
2023-06-2944 min
PPE20 Years of CFSCToday, you’ll hear a conversation between Dr. Amanda Solomon Amorao, Associate Professor at UC San Diego, Dr. Joy Sales at CSU Los Angeles and a founding member, Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez. They reflect on a CFSC praxis and the impact their involvement has made on their personal, political and academic careers.
The audio is from a hybrid event we held with the UC Davis Bulosan Center in May of 2023 facilitated by Dr. Mike Viola, and myself, with the support of doctoral candidate Wayne Jopanda.
2023-06-151h 03
Centering: The Asian American Christian Podcast7x03 - Filipinos Navigating Academia & Activism (Dr. Robyn Rodriguez)Centering welcomes Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, founding director of the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies at UC Davis, and the first Pinay to serve as chair of UC Davis Asian American Studies. She recounts her journey as a Pinay scholar-activist and shares advice for Filipino Americans navigating academia and activism.
2022-08-1854 min
Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn Speaks"Don't Stay Out in the Sun: Understanding Filipinx and Colorism with Dr. Joanne RondillaDoktora Robyn discusses colorism within the Filipinx community with long-time friend and fellow scholar, Dr. Joanne Rondilla. Listen in as they unpack how colorism is a discriminatory system designed to maintain anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism, which is deeply rooted in the Philippines' colonial history. Dr. Rodriguez and Dr. Rondilla also answer questions on how to reflect and discuss these beauty standards with family in order to uphold anti-racist practices in our everyday lives. This conversation was also part of Dr. Rodriguez's "Filipinos in America" course in her School for Liberating Education. This 6-month course is an introductory...
2022-04-1454 min
Haymarket Books LiveContemporary Asian American Activism: Building Movements for LiberationJoin Haymarket and the University of Washington Press for a critical discussion on Asian American activism and movement building today.
Bringing together grassroots organizers and scholar-activists, Contemporary Asian American Activism presents lived experiences of the fight for transformative justice and offers lessons to ensure the longevity and sustainability of organizing. In the face of imperialism, white supremacy, racial capitalism, heteropatriarchy, ableism, and more, the contributors celebrate victories and assess failures, reflect on the trials of activist life, critically examine long-term movement building, and inspire continued mobilization for coming generations.
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Speakers:
Diane C. Fujino is a Professor of Asian American...
2022-03-011h 27Spitting Fire: Doktora Robyn SpeaksResistance, Defiant Love, and Radical Care: Asian American Activism Course Launch with Artnelson ConcordiaDoktora Robyn launches a mini-course on Asian American Activism (and this podcast!) that draws on her co-edited book (with Dr. Diane Fujino), "Contemporary Asian American Activism: Building Movements for Liberation,” as well as her previous publications and nearly three decades of community organizing experience. The mini-course will be offered through her online School for Liberating Education. Doktora Robyn talks-story with Artnelson Concordia, Ethnic Studies K-12 educator who is responsible to crafting Ethnic Studies at local and state-wide levels, as they discuss resistance, defiant love, and radical care in today's political climate, as well as their journeys toward becoming activist scho...
2022-01-211h 02
Filipina on the Rise(EXCLUSIVE) What’s Your Origin Story? with Dr. Robyn, Professor, Fil-Am Studies Expert: Healing by Discovering our Migration StoriesThis is an EXCLUSIVE discussion from the Filipina Soul Sisterhood Circle, which we’re posting because it is so moving and important. Our sisterhood meets online every Thursday, and through out the month we are doing activities, journaling, having discussions, meeting with Filipina leaders & experts. Join here! Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez is leading expert on contemporary Filipino issues, […]
2021-12-151h 07
Making ContactRe:Work Radio: Trafficked, the Journey of Lester Ramos (Encore)One of the most common forms of trafficking is labor trafficking. In this episode, Re:Work Radio brings you the story of Lester Ramos and his journey from the Philippines. Later in the broadcast, we hear from Filipino migration expert, Dr. Robyn Magalit Rodriguez, on the circumstances in the Philippines and the US that drive Filipinos to work abroad.
2021-11-0328 min
Making ContactRe:Work Radio: Trafficked, the Journey of Lester RamosLike this program? Please show us the love. Click here tinyurl.com/y7u8xeqf and support our non-profit journalism. Thanks!
One of the most common forms of trafficking is labor trafficking: compelling people to work through fraud, force, or coercion. The International Labor Organization estimates 20.1 million people are trapped in forced labor globally, in industries including agriculture, construction, domestic work, and manufacturing.
Who does this happen to? And how does it happen?
In this episode, Re:Work Radio brings you the story of Lester Ramos and his journey from the Philippines. Later in the broadcast, we hear from Filipino...
2021-11-0329 min
Making ContactRe:Work Radio: Trafficked, the Journey of Lester RamosLike this program? Please show us the love. Click here ow.ly/oSpU30hHCXp and support our non-profit journalism. Thanks!
One of the most common forms of trafficking is labor trafficking: compelling people to work through fraud, force, or coercion. The International Labor Organization estimates 20.1 million people are trapped in forced labor globally, in industries including agriculture, construction, domestic work, and manufacturing.
Who does this happen to? And how does it happen?
In this episode, Re:Work Radio brings you the story of Lester Ramos and his journey from the Philippines. Later in the broadcast, we hear from Filipino migration...
2019-05-0129 min
The Filipino American ExperienceThe International HotelLecture on the International Hotel Struggle. Corresponds with Weeks 8 and 9 reading.
2012-03-1345 minThe Filipino American ExperienceGentrification; Cultural CitizenshipThis lecture starts with a guest presentation by Angelica Cabande, Organizational Director of the South of Market Action Network (SOMCAN) who discusses current issues of gentrification facing Filipino communities in San Francisco. Prof. Rodriguez then transitions to a discussion of "cultural citizenship." Corresponds with Week 9 readings.
2012-03-0839 minThe Filipino American ExperienceContemporary Migrant ActivismDiscusses contemporary transnational Filipino migrant activism. The lecture connects to the discussion of Professor Rodriguez's text Migrants for Export. While the text (and lecture) looked at why and how Filipino migrants have become the world's workers, this lecture examines the kinds of activist work Filipino migrants have engaged in globally to contest their export as workers. Corresponds with week 7 readings.
2012-02-2356 minThe Filipino American ExperienceMigrants for ExportBegins discussion of Professor Rodriguez's book, Migrants for Export. The text examines why and how the Philippines has emerged as the largest labor-exporting country in the world. Corresponds to readings for weeks 6 and 7 under the topic of "How did we get everywhere and what our experiences?"
2012-02-161h 24The Filipino American ExperienceIntro of Race, Empire and Citizenship ; Black History is Filipino HistoryThis track provides an overview of the lecture on Race, Empire and Citizenship (see part 2 for full lecture); also discusses Carter Woodson, the father of Black History Month and his connection to the Philippines.
2012-02-0108 minThe Filipino American ExperiencePart 1: Racialized Citizenship in the U.S. and "Problem" of the FilipinoIn this quick discussion of contemporary Filipino immigrant issues, Rodriguez explains how the "three basic problems" as discussed in Bulosan, explain emigration from the Philippines. The class transitions from a focus on the Philippines to Filipinos' early experiences in the U.S. Rodriguez discusses how race has shaped who is able to claim formal membership (i.e. citizenship in the United States) and begins to sketch out how this impacted Filipinos as U.S. "nationals" (neither quite citizens, and neither quite foreigners).
2012-01-301h 05The Filipino American ExperienceImperial AmnesiaProfessor Rodriguez discusses Campomanes' work, including his interview in "Positively No Filipinos Allowed" (2006) in analyzing "imperial amnesia," that is, the United States' failure to recognize and narrate its history and trajectory as one of empire.
2012-01-2318 minThe Filipino American ExperienceLynching and EmpireProfessor Rodriguez gives an overview of the Balce's chapter in "Positively No Filipinos Allowed" (2006) titled "Filipino Bodies, Lynching and the Language of Empire." She examines the relations and connections between African Americans and Filipinos during the colonial period.
2012-01-1941 minThe Filipino American ExperienceU.S. Imperialism and the Filipino American WarProfessor Rodriguez examines "Manifest Destiny" and the rise of U.S. imperialism. She discusses the Philippine-American War and the colonization of the Philippines.
2012-01-1651 minThe Filipino American ExperienceCapitalism and Racialized Labor Historically in the U.S.Professor Rodriguez provides an overview of the ways that U.S. capital has depended on racialized labor for particular kinds of work from the enslavement of African to the importation of Asian labor. She situates U.S. Filipinos within this context and history.
2012-01-1621 minThe Filipino American ExperienceApproaching the Filipino American Experience from a Sociological Perspective Part 2Emphasizing a sociological approach to the Filipino American experience (specifically the intersection of biography and history), this lecture overviews key historical moments in the rise of U.S. imperialism and its role in producing emigration from the Philippines. The aim of the lecture is to complicate the idea that immigration to the U.S. is merely the outcome of individual choices.
2012-01-1136 minThe Filipino American ExperienceApproaching the Filipino American Experience from a Sociological PerspectiveThis is an overview of the "sociological imagination" and how to use it to understand Filipino American immigration historically and in the contemporary period. Overview of the rise of capitalism in the U.S. and its dependence on racialized labor as the context for understanding immigration.
2012-01-1125 minThe Filipino American ExperienceIntroduction, Overview of CourseThis class is an overview of Professor Rodriguez's sociological (i.e.historical, structural, critical) approach to understanding Filipino community formation in the U.S. In addition, it provides a description of the course requirements. Drawing inspiration from the original demands of Ethnic Studies student activists from which Asian American Studies emerges, Professor Rodriguez insists, "the more you know, the more you owe," hence, all assignments for the course have a community-service orientation.
2012-01-0927 min