‘Beware of the Chicken Feather Duster’: SF Grandmas Fight Anti-Asian Hate in New Rap
By Grace Kim
May 10, 2021
A group of grandmothers in San Francisco Chinatown is bringing awareness to anti-Asian violence through the power of song and dance in a new Cantonese performance called Gai Mou Sou Rap.
Lyrical advocates: The rap translates to “Beware of the Chicken Feather Duster,” in reference to the common household item familiar to the grandmas in the group known as the Grant Avenue Follies.
- “When you are naughty and getting out of line, the parents would go after you with that,” group member Emily Chin explained to KPIX 5.
- It was written by Clara Hsu, director of Clarion Performing Arts Center where the group rehearses, who said the rap sends the message: “We are the authority. Don’t mess with us.”
- “With this rap, I want to show the people ‘Don’t be mean to grandma. If it weren’t for grandma, you wouldn’t be here,’” said the group’s co-founder, Cynthia Yee.
- Hsu has started a GoFundMe to cover production costs for the new rap, which the group hopes will be performed at anti-Asian violence rallies. “Clarion and the Follies feel compelled to bring the rap to life, to make a strong statement, to remind others the value and vitality of the seniors, and to beat violence with grace,” the page reads.
- The campaign has raised around $3,600 of its $20,000 goal as of this writing.
About the group: The Grant Avenue Follies, a senior dance group formed in 2003, has previously toured in venues across the world, from Las Vegas to China and Cuba.
- They mostly put on local performances for the elderly and other fundraising events, which have reportedly raised “millions of dollars for senior citizen groups.”
Featured Image via KPIX 5
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