Alex Dang - Times I've Been Mistaken for a Girl

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Alex Dang, performing at NPS 2013 in Boston, MA.
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Button Poetry is committed to developing a coherent and effective system of production, distribution, promotion and fundraising for spoken word and performance poetry.
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[@echoeddra8on]

"I do things a person does" a quote for life.

[@Em-oj5wu]

K226 True!

[@purpleduracell]

Dang that was so good his last name became dang.

[@Fcycfvyvvyvtfutg]

I teared up when he was repeating 12...

[@filipinoclub1353]

+kurihai i cried like hell...im feelin you

[@kadijah_kargbo]

+kurihai I love when they repeat, it gives so much meaning

[@vohanam96]

+maemay 09 Hey im kinda not good at English but i think that he repeated 12 like 3 times then it must has 3 meanings. 1/ i didnt come out the way they expected: his parents expected a girl ? 2/ means he came out as a gay which disappointed his parents ? and the last meaning i just cannot figure out, could you help me with that ?

[@Iamhyperfixate]

I don't think he's gay. He said he likes looking at boys sometimes. And he talked about having a girlfriend. He might be bi or pan or something. Of course I'm not him so I don't know for sure.

[@rdkuless]

It doesn't matter if he is gay, straight, bi... etc... He identified his gender an male. That is all we know or need to know. Gender Identity is very personal. If you don't know, ask, "what pronouns do you prefer." Once you know them better, you will know the appropriate questions about their sexuality or lack of sexuality. That is not a question anyone has the right to ask a stranger.

[@tubularLeah]

Dang, he laid it on us. Respect.

[@tubularLeah]

ClickDecision Yes it is, i'm a transgender person, so it's kind of fitting! The manga is much better than the OVA or whatever. It's also a much more accurate portrayal of my feelings and experiences. It's also a cute romance/growing up/slice of life kind of thing with that being a central theme.. the anime is still cute c:

[@CobraJaws98]

Good pun. I appreciate it. Made me laugh

[@codaclownery]

Leah L. What Manga is it from?

[@puppiebruises]

Alex Dang, more like DANG ALEX BECAUSE I AM IN TEARS

[@majesticjayyy1758]

nepeta the pimpeta duh

[@shelbymadison4185]

"I do things a person does" I silently screamed to myself for roughly 30 seconds because that hit so close to home. I absolutely loved this, this was so amazing.

[@ambikasharma3456]

YESYESYESYES (also gr8 dp)

[@kaylasymons1820]

sameeee (also hello pham)

[@soap5272]

YES AND (pham)

[@graceputnam6138]

ayyee phandom

[@arikares]

SAME

[@laynarie374]

12: "I didn't come out the way they expected" This line made me cry....

[@leyladurmus1492]

Dang Alex, that was great. (Get it? No? Ok then.)

[@laynarie374]

Took me a minute, but I got it

[@vxvxvxvx]

I thought maybe this would be humorous because I've sometimes been mistaken for a boy. And here I am crying.

[@alanivatani8730]

I have watched this many times and I never once thought about the amount of times that I have been mistaken for a boy. Weird. Now it makes it even more powerful

[@fang6279]

Yeah I was once repeatedly mistaken for a boy but I'm not going to cry if I see a video that is making me stronger

[@Gee-xb7rt]

I am mistaken for a woman on the phone, I can completely relate to him, but at the same time I learned people are stupid and its just one of those life things. If you maam me you better maam me with honor and respect though or you will wish you never did. I used to have long hair too, and it was pretty if I say so myself. I would get whistled at and then if I was going in the direction of the whistle people would freak out, the rest of me really isn't that "feminine" or whatever. I learned along the way to be me, a person. Labels are great for making sure their isn't any milk in something so I won't get sick. Other than that my name is the label I respond to. Please learn to empower yourself, its the best gift you can give yourself. If someone mistakes you for a boy, teach them your name.

[@nikigira]

im male and have been mistaken for a girl many times...

[@kaitlin3287]

Alex....... Dang.

[@taylormaldonado8603]

12) I DIDNT COME OUT THE WAY THEY EXPECTED

[@90CRXGSR]

Damn, that was real.

[@alexheald5868]

More like, DANG that was real!

[@90CRXGSR]

Alex Heald No, sorry. Dang just doesn't emphasize my feelings about this performance.

[@alexheald5868]

The joke was his last name is Dang. Obviously it went past you.

[@90CRXGSR]

Alex Heald No shit his last name is Dang, it's in the fucking title genius. His poem wasn't a joke and your word play with his last name on my post was weak so my rebuttal relating to your ignorance obviously went past you. Stop trying to be so witty as it only makes you look fucking stupid.

[@alexheald5868]

BayArea510 Whoa there friend, you may need to slow down a bit. No one was arguing the depth and seriousness of the poem, and I am aware that my wordplay was corny and weak; that was the point. There's no need to lash out at harmless wordplay. Chill out, smoke some weed or something.

[@Nejidabest]

being Vietnamese and Gay, and efffeminate , I can totally relate to this poem, especially what my parents say to me and how almost all of my younger brothers are stronger physically and more masculine than I am. Thank you for this . "I still don't act like a boy...I act like a person." that was the killer line right there.

[@KurlyBeats]

"So is this guy gay?" "Why is he shouting?" I don't understand these comments. This is spoken word. This is an art form. Just listen. Open your mind and just listen. Open your heart and let the guy touch your soul.

[@jhenechan655]

I know right

[@sambuddhar]

no thanks, im' good. I am not letting some dong guy touch me

[@haattitmg5042]

@@sambuddhar fuck outta here

[@imthebossmermaid3648]

He’s bisexual.

[@daisyno8805]

Look at how perfectly styled his hair is... damn

[@antfart9]

i think you mean DANG

[@toto_odi]

When he started to shout out what he was saying, I got emotional. This was amazing!

[@ImaBearXDnewaccount]

"that was alex dang" dang right. that was downright powerful.

[@Drudenfusz]

Be always the person you want to be and not the person society, your parents whoever else wants you to be!

[@sammem1]

This guy is quickly becoming one of my favorite slam poets.

[@EarlyMorningsAndRain]

this guy really does slam it wow

[@dinosonzii]

Beautiful.

[@eron2216]

Alex Dang, you are strength. You are wisdom and you are so, so courage. I wish only understanding and peace for you on your journey. I wish only the best for you, my brother.

[@csmitasi]

Yeahh, Portland !!!!!!!!!! Beautiful !

[@MultiCharliestar]

Fucking...gorgeous...beautiful...fuck....I have no words and I'm crying.....fuck.

[@phoneticfanatic17]

Alex, thank you. This is beautiful. May we all be valued and cherished and adored for who we are as people, not how they expected.

[@savag3ry]

One word to sum this whole thing up is SoAmazinglyBeautiufulThatItTurnsFantastic yep that is one word

[@sorereasons]

"I still might not do things a boy does, instead I do things a person does"

[@LadyFlautistAlyssaC]

I hope his family saw this, because he is AWESOME!!!

[@candycrushedd]

i teared up because i can relate. my parents were expecting a son and out came out yet again another daughter, the third to our family. dang you are absolutely amazing

[@keymoneblake3372]

He killed it, and EVERYONE KNOWS IT.

[@Angeltheuri]

Nothing has never been so relatable and real

[@bitemykitty]

I do things a person does, giant applause from me to you sir. Continue being strong I'll radiate positivity and love

[@jk-jl2lo]

Alex DaNG THAT CUT ME DEEP

[@PeptoDomo]

More like Alex Danggggg that was good!

[@jiaminkuang2106]

The last sentence was great, always be yourself.

[@SchmumpkinII]

Your voice is deeper, but so are your convictions about WHO. YOU, ARE. :) Great video!

[@modernlacuna]

Well shit I actually cried

[@brittanyisaac7212]

Reminded me of Patrick roche's poem "21"

[@TakaComics]

Alex Dang? His name should be Alex "DAYUM."

[@blessup1454]

that's sound like a corny joke a Disney character says and gets fakes laugh because the rest of the cast looks in bewilderment at their innate stupidity for daring such a joke in the first place. That being said... I understand where you're coming from, the poem was good, but please... no.

[@Jaji813]

I found it funny dammit! :)

[@Julian-em6vd]

Blessing Awowole you must be fun at parties

[@blessup1454]

Yuae Tran I am, I just don't corny jokes..

[@HiThereLindsey]

Blessing Awowole Sure you are lol

[@meowmeowm30w]

Alex Dang. You mean. Alex DAAAANGGG. He is amazing!!

[@veronicapiper4507]

i've never been more connected to a poem

[@alexkorwek6030]

This is the GREATEST THING EVER

[@Figs3]

Finally he's getting recognition.!

[@IlaDeep]

I had goosebumps at so many points during this poem

[@kiwiibooks6563]

THIS is called perfection.... This is like the third time I'm hearing and watching and I can't get enough of it!!!

[@Nassit-Gnuoy]

Dang Alex

[@PITERODACTILO]

THE PERSON YOU ARE IS AAAAWESOME!!!!!

[@archeryangel]

Just going through some "Button Poetry" from (NPS 2013) and holy heck i havent seem so much talent in one place before

[@perlasoto2815]

I'm glad this video was uploaded.

[@xVyae]

...Dang... No pun intended. I really like these slams... they're so powerful.

[@iyantae88888]

I love this.

[@RaymondaRice]

I wasn't feeling this at first but by the end, I was clapping and shouting like I was there. Awesome work.

[@firstnamelastname-td4bk]

this poem is so freaking good.

[@Circe-n4o]

I really felt this

[@feargurl72]

im in love with his voice

[@Shannonluvsuful]

@1:49 I resonate with this, my mother has told me all my life she is disappointed I don't have beautiful blond hair and blue eyes like the rest of my family.

[@liam-ashleymonger9212]

Wow. I can relate to every word, I love this so so much.

[@RisLove101]

This gives me serious chills

[@joanlinhsu5637]

Alex Dang really lets us have it when he describes what it's like to be told there's something with who you are.

[@heyg0ld]

poet, i love your voice. it is beautiful and it holds your power perfectly. never try to change it again. ever.

[@LGBTArtsYouth]

Beautiful.

[@bddana]

Beautiful.

[@crystal-hk4dv]

seriously alex dang's poems make me cry

[@michaelsoener5572]

I cried a little at this, very poignant and relatable. Beautiful piece.

[@Dan_The_Dude]

Right in the feels

[@spangleboy]

another powerful poem. thank you.

[@DBee56]

Broke that down like the man he is ... thank you.

[@huntermeek7450]

HELL YES ALEX MY KING

[@jackjack6045]

This hit me in the feelings. This explains me. This is the first time I’ve cried tears of relief in months, “12: I didn’t come out the way they expected.” “I do things a person does.” I am me. I am queer. I am a person.

[@manda2892]

The feelings toward the end...Great Poem, love it!

[@KTMEduTech]

Amazing speech... So Beautiful.

[@briska82]

You are awesome!!!

[@huntman592]

Absolutely fantastic. Poetry is a powerful tool , stay strong!

[@juliasouto7881]

wow dang

[@juliasouto7881]

I only just realized his last name is dang omfg,,,,,

[@meshlinks4146]

This reminds me of the poem "21". I love them both.

[@meshlinks4146]

And you're ignorant so bye.

[@sicktrooth9107]

it took me four times of watching this to not to cry

[@mirandabee2323]

Dang! That was powerful!

[@hgpostma2]

More like Alex DAYYYYYYUMMM

[@sarahmurashiki5511]

Omg!! This is my favorite... I LOVE IT SOO Much!!

[@jlmafi]

Beautiful. I loved this reading.

[@lindseypewitt8600]

That last line was perfect

[@jugulate]

Omg. Crying.

[@irritaitingceramics]

This is structured very much like 'Scars' by Rudy Francisco

[@Ladymarielle1]

ok major goosebumps!!

[@meadowheisler]

this gave me chills.

[@ruukugirl]

............ goosebumps...

[@rukiddinmep7794]

Man! I got goosebumps.

[@lunarsrx8048]

This hit in a different way.

[@definitelynotcla]

this is very beautiful

[@huntman592]

Absolutely fantastic. Poetry is a powerful tool , stay strong!

[@vaxilirose]

Wow. So powerful. You're amazing, Alex. Thank you. Your poem is beautiful.

[@LohLow]

i came here for a school project and i left crying. this was powerful.

[@DynasteeX]

I can't lie, I cracked up a but when he said "the longest time"; but in all seriousness, he makes an excellent point on how society has constructed gender norms and that depending on whether you are a male or female, you must conform and act a certain way and going against those rules means being ostracized by everyone, or like this, mistaken for a different "Gender".

[@martaperezdelope]

the build-up was amazing, such power.

[@ChelseaRachelMedina]

THAT LAST LINE UGH I FELT THAT

[@theelusiveone147]

Bravo. Almost got emotional for a second

[@pinkpassion142]

that was so touching. good video.

[@karrenf2270]

I love this beyond words

[@천재짱짱맨뿡뿡-민슈]

DANG this brought some feels.

[@patriciarivera8123]

Cutting it deep with the knife of realty hun..your feeding it in to your own soul keep loving how you are sweetness for gender is not more then a tag set by Physical society, do not let those of little minds and big words take away that voice for when you speak of your story there are those who can relate, so kudos for that bravery, and thank you for such truth..