John & Yoko (Patreon)

1. 

Anti-Asian Violence Resources  

2. 

On April 17th, I began this diptych after receiving instructions for my second round of Trauma Therapy.  Violence and abuse were heavy on my mind.  Still is.  I am to feel my feelings, and learn to express them no matter how uncomfortable.  That's what this is.

3. 

Agatupu Rodney Anoaʻi is one of my favorite Wrestlers of all time.

Born into the Anoaʻi Samoan Dynasty, trained by Afa and Sika Anoaʻi of the "Wild Samoans," he began wrestling professionally in 1984 as "The Great Kokina."

All of that changed when he entered the WWF (now WWE) in 1992. They billed him as Japanese, and he wrestled as “Yokozuna” a so-called Sumo Wrestler. American audiences (at the time, and still today) didn’t know enough about other countries to notice. Make no mistake—he was an artist—the ring was his canvas.

The Association for Asian American Pacific Artists, the Japanese American Citizen’s League, and the Media Action Network for Asian Americans all took issue and protested the WWF's depiction of Yokozuna when—during an angle—Yokozuna not only defeats all American Jim Duggan, but makes a mockery of the US flag. Being a common practice among "foreign heels," the critique was largely shrugged off.  All trespasses forgiven because, "it's entertainment."

It’s clear now more than ever that these misrepresentations can and do lead to real-world violence. 

4. 

America—and by extension myself—has a complex relationship with abuse, racism, and John Lennon. While contextualized in pop culture as the penultimate advocate for peace, John was also a verbally and physically violent person.  Considered  "above critique" by many, and just another mega-wealthy white man who committed crimes with impunity by others. 

It’s complicated for me because I still love him with all my heart.  Also complicating things is the fact that he also was a victim of abuse.  Both from his family as a child, and on the streets where he grew up.

5. 

I wanted to pair John with Yoko in a loving way.  But also to honor the people John bullied, beat, and insulted.  I am a survivor of abuse, and so are many of the people closest to me. 

To be honest, I wanted a taste of revenge.

It’s complicated for me because—like John Lennon—I love Agatupu Rodney Anoaʻi with all my heart.  His movement, his facial expressions, he mastered the art of the “Monster Heel” in spite of a racially problematic gimmick.  I wish he could’ve been allowed to Wrestle simply as himself.  As violent as his performances were, Rodney was not a bully in real life.  Given the nature of American Capitalism, I believe he was also a victim of abuse.  Would he have chosen the Yokozuna gimmick if his job weren't on the line?  Might he have lived longer had he his employers had ethical practices regarding the health of their athletes? 

Agatupu Rodney Anoaʻi died at age 34, in Liverpool England.

Following the laws and commands of Cancel Culture, both men "deserve" to be destroyed and buried for crimes against humanity. Is this justice? or does it only contribute to a cycle of anger and fear that distances us from reconciliation?

I'm don't believe I'm the one to answer that.  

Perhaps this piece raises more disquieting questions than it answers.

Maybe that's okay.  Maybe that's what I needed.