When I was a sophomore in college, I got pulled over for going 90 mph while knocking Anida Yoeu Ali‘s “Excuse Me, ameriKa.” and while I admit that it was extremely geeky to be an outlaw due to poetry (I once also got written up in my dorm for bumping Sage Francis too loud…ughhhhh…) it’s hard to escape the excitement I felt as a young underspoken Asian kid hearing one of his own spit fire for the first time. Since then Anida’s played a huge role in my life, even taking me under her wing in the fateful Chicago summer when I decided to follow in her footsteps and pursue a career as an artist. Some years later, she teams up with Masahiru Sugano to present Mistaken For Muslim, yet another landmark piece. This time she calls attention to post-9/11 anti-Muslim violence – an issue that tragically remains relevant a decade after the fact. As a part of the 1700% Project which entails the poem, video, and an accompanying installation performance, “Mistaken For Muslim” is truly the most gripping piece of visual spoken word I’ve seen in a long time. Check it out above, and if you digit, vote for it for the One Chicago One Nation Film Contest!