Dorktales Storytime
Be the hero of your own story with Dorktales Storytime, the award-winning podcast for kids and their pop culture loving grownups. Enter their Once Upon a Time world where hosts, Jonathan Cormur and Mr. Reginald T. Hedgehog, take you on a storytelling journey of curiosity and acceptance. You’ll explore reimagined fairytales and fables with social emotional themes, discover inspiring stories of history’s hidden heroes, and experience imaginary tales of boundless possibilities.
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Reach out to us at dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com
Dorktales Storytime
Simon Tam, Hidden Hero of History
An inspiring story that will rock your world! Meet Simon Tam, the visionary founder of the Asian American band, The Slants. Follow his path from a young music lover to a trailblazing activist who stood up for free speech and fair representation. His desire to reclaim a hurtful term and turn it into something positive and empowering became a groundbreaking case at the U.S. Supreme Court. Discover how his fight for the band’s name became a victory for artistic expression. Simon’s story shows us that resilience, courage and using one’s voice—and music—can make a difference.
Go to the episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/simon-tam/
Get a free activity guide on Simon Tam: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/ep99freePDF
This episode of Dorktales Storytime is presented by Red Comet Press, and their hardcover children’s book, We Sing From the Heart, by Mia Wenjen with illustrations by Victor Bizar Gómez. This Junior Library Guild Gold Selection inspired this Hidden Heroes of History story. Purchase this beautiful book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or from your favorite independent book store: https://www.redcometpress.com/picturebooks/wesing
Learn about more Asian American and Pacific Islander hidden heroes of history: https://jonincharacter.com/kids-podcast-playlist-for-aapi-heritage-month/
CREDITS: Dorktales’ Hidden Heroes of History is a Jonincharacter production. This episode was written and produced by Molly Murphy. Howie was voiced by Asher Kim from the Culture Kids Podcast. All other characters were performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings.
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Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!
JONATHAN CORMUR: Hello Dork Squad. I'm Jonathan Cormur and you're listening to Dorktales Storytime, the podcast for kids and their pop culture-loving grown-ups, and this is an inspiring story about a hidden hero of history.
THEME SONG: It's a beautiful day for a story, adventure and glory, new friends and old ones too. It's an excellent day to get swept away in a tail, so let us regale you.
JONATHAN CORMUR: This episode of Dorktales Storytime is presented by Red Comet Press, and their hardcover children’s book, We Sing From the Heart, by Mia Wenjen with illustrations by Victor Bizar Gómez. This Junior Library Guild Gold Selection inspired this Hidden Heroes of History story. Grownups, you can purchase this beautiful book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or from your favorite independent book store. Be sure to check the show notes for more information.
(Rock music plays quietly in the background)
REDGE: I simply can’t decide!
JONATHAN: It’s impossible.
REDGE: Howl At The Moon Records has too many amazing albums for sale. I told myself I’d buy just one vinyl record for my brand new record player. But…
JONATHAN: How do we pick?
REDGE: Exactly, Jonathan! Look! Three Birds of a Feather is here!
JONATHAN: You do love the Branch Sisters.
REDGE: And this is one of their best albums! And look! The Mice Girls!
JONATHAN: Pony Bennet!
REDGE: Purrrvana!
JONATHAN: I love their hit single, Smells Like Feline Spirit.
REDGE: Me too! It’s an embarrassment of riches. SO many of my favorite songs. Whatever will I choose?
HOWIE: Hi, can I help you?
REDGE: Oh hello there! My name is Redge and this is my friend Jonathan!
HOWIE: Oh I’ve heard of you! I’m Howie.
REDGE: You’ve heard of us?
HOWIE: My uncle is the Big Bad Wolf!
JONATHAN: Oh you’re a part of Big Bad’s pack!
HOWIE: That’s right!
REDGE: It’s so nice to meet you. You’re here working with your uncle!
HOWIE: Yeah, after school. I love music!
REDGE: My favorite band is the Branch Sisters! Do you have a favorite type of music?
HOWIE: I love rock music. And dance music!
JONATHAN: Oh like Daft Punk! One of my favorite bands from Earth.
REDGE: Do you mean Daft Trunk? The band made up of the two elephant DJs?
HOWIE: Oh yeah! They’re pretty cool.
JONATHAN: Sounds surprisingly similar….but no, I’m talking about a band from my realm.
HOWIE: Wait. You’re Jonathan from Earth!
JONATHAN: The one and only!
HOWIE: I think Big Bad saved some records for you!
JONATHAN: Records from my realm?
HOWIE: Yeah!
REDGE: However did he do that?
HOWIE: He said it took a lot of spells from witches, and weird time shifts, and a few magical doorways.
JONATHAN/REDGE: Of course.
REDGE: Can we take a look?
HOWIE: Yeah! He put them over here. See?
JONATHAN: Oh cool! Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles…
REDGE: The Slants…
HOWIE: The Slants are my favorite! I'm going to dig up some headphones so you can listen.
REDGE: That would be wonderful, Howie!
HOWIE: Be right back!
JONATHAN: I’ve heard of The Slants!
REDGE: Have you?
JONATHAN: Yes! And there is a very important story I’d love to share about the band and their bass guitarist.
REDGE: Oh do tell!
JONATHAN: Let me spin you the tale…
REDGE: Ha ha! Like spinning a record!
JONATHAN: …of the founder and bassist of The Slants!
(Bass guitar riff)
Simon Tam!
REDGE: I’m ready to rock and roll.
JONATHAN: Simon Tam was born in San Diego, California. When he was a young kid, he used to stage concerts for his family using his dad’s guitar. And that was before he even knew how to play!
REDGE: I love the rocker spirit! You know, I put on concerts myself.
JONATHAN: You do throw a great concert Redge.
REDGE: Why thank you!
JONATHAN: I loved The Cutting Hedge Concert Series. Oh and Redge’s Rock-a-Palooza!
REDGE: We really boogied at both of those.
JONATHAN: Simon discovered his love of pop music looking through his dad’s record collection.
REDGE: We’re starting our own record collection today! It truly is inspiring to see all of this creative work in one place.
JONATHAN: Yes! Eventually, Simon was inspired enough to learn an instrument. He decided on the bass.
REDGE: I love it. Holding down the beat!
JONATHAN: Music was always a safe space for Simon. He was bullied growing up, oftentimes because he is Asian American. He also saw that his family members received the same unkind and unfair treatment.
REDGE: So music helped him through it?
JONATHAN: It did, and eventually, so did his incredible activism.
REDGE: That’s when people work together to make the world a better place by standing up for what they believe is right.
JONATHAN: Yes! And we’ll get to that part of Simon’s story soon.
REDGE: I can’t wait!
JONATHAN: Simon went to college on a scholarship to study philosophy and religion, but he eventually felt that he was on the wrong path. So he gave up the scholarship to pursue his passion of music.
REDGE: The dedication to the beat!
JONATHAN: He moved to a place called Portland, Oregon, and joined a band called The Stivs.
REDGE: I think you mean The Slants. See, look at the cover of this record Big Bad got for you. It clearly says–
JONATHAN: The Stivs were his FIRST band after leaving school. But you’re right, The Slants were the band that really kicked off his career. In music and beyond!
REDGE: Oh I see. We already have so much in common. I’ve also been in many bands. The Merry Band of Bremen–
JONATHAN: Oh I remember–
REDGE: I was in a polka band for a time called the Oom Pah Pah Pals, that was a wonderful experience.
JONATHAN: That does sound fun, did–
REDGE: Oh! I sang backup for The Gull Boys. Oh I wonder if there is a Gull Boys record here! Incredible summery music with lots of harmonies.
JONATHAN: Redge, how do you find the time?
REDGE: I’m just amazing I suppose!
JONATHAN: Well I know that’s right.
REDGE: Aw shucks.
JONATHAN: Anyways, eventually, Simon noticed that there wasn’t a lot of Asian American representation in music. Or really any media unfortunately.
REDGE: Not in television or movies either?
JONATHAN: Not really. He decided he wanted to change that.
REDGE: And that’s when he started THE band?
JONATHAN: That’s correct! He started an all Asian American band called The Slants.
REDGE: Where did the name come from, Jonathan?
JONATHAN: Asian people are often made fun of for having slanted eyes.
REDGE: But! That’s terrible! That would be like you making fun of my quills! It’s not a bad thing to have quills! They are just a part of me!
JONATHAN: I agree, Redge! No one should be made fun of for how they look. Simon wanted to reclaim the negative stereotype, or in other words turn that bad idea around, and make it into something positive and celebratory. So, he named the band The Slants!
REDGE: Marvelous!
JONATHAN: But Simon had to fight to keep the name of the band.
REDGE: Oh really? He couldn’t just claim it? The Gull Boys had no trouble with their name at all. And now they are known as ‘The Best Birds for Brilliant Beach Tunes’ according to Bill’s Board of Chart Toppers!
JONATHAN: Well Simon found out that there was already a band called The Slants. He decided to seek a trademark for the name.
REDGE: Hmmm…is that like a patent that inventors get for their creations?
JONATHAN: Yes! It’s when a company, person, or group legally signs up or registers certain words or images to protect them. Simon wanted to register the name 'The Slants' so that only he and his bandmates could use it!
REDGE: I see!
JONATHAN: He had to register the name with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and it should have been a simple-to-approve request. But the trademark was rejected because the officials at that office said the name was racist.
REDGE: And we’ve learned that racism is when people are treated unfairly because of their skin color, identity, or background.
JONATHAN: That’s right. Simon was confused, because he had an all Asian American band that was trying to reclaim the word and take away its ability to be hurtful. There were other non-Asian people that were allowed by the trademark office to use racist terms so he didn’t understand why they said NO to his application.
REDGE: Well I say!
JONATHAN: It was pretty bad, Redge. But Simon was determined. He decided to bring his case to court.
REDGE: Fighting for what’s right!
JONATHAN: That’s activism, Redge!
REDGE: And winning!
JONATHAN: Well…
REDGE: They didn’t win?
JONATHAN: Not at first. He shared evidence to fight back against the decision, like testimonies from dictionary experts, community surveys, and even letters from Asian American leaders. But his appeal to get the decision overturned was rejected.
REDGE: Oh no! But…wait…
JONATHAN: Yes, Redge?
REDGE: The band name on this record is The Slants. So it had to have worked at some point…right?
JONATHAN: The case went all the way to the Supreme Court.
REDGE: Did you say SUPREME? That sounds very important and very scary.
JONATHAN: The Supreme Court is known as the “highest court in all the land”. It makes decisions that all other courts across the country have to follow.
REDGE: However did Simon get the courage to go THERE?
JONATHAN: There were a lot of people, especially young people, who were very inspired by Simon’s quest to trademark his name and fight for fair representation in music. Kids were also inspired by seeing him play with his band!
REDGE: So that might have encouraged him to take the fight all the way to the top?
JONATHAN: That’s right, Redge!
REDGE: So what happened? What happened?!
JONATHAN: I’m so glad you asked!
After an eight year fight, Simon took the case all the way to the Supreme Court. Over a thousand people showed up on the steps of the courthouse to show their support for Simon. People even spent the night outside to make sure they were there for the result!
REDGE: Wow! So…did Simon win the case?
JONATHAN: After an hour long hearing–
REDGE: Yes? Yes?
JONATHAN: The court ruled unanimously in Simon’s favor!
REDGE: HUZZAH! That means they all voted for Simon, right?
JONATHAN: Every single Justice! Ruth Bader Ginsberg was one of the Justices, or judges, of the Supreme Court who helped with the decision. She said:
“Dance rock band front man Simon Tam sought to trademark The Slants. His aim was to reappropriate a term long used to disparage a minority group and to render the term a badge of pride. All of us agreed.”
REDGE: They were RIGHT!
JONATHAN: I agree, Redge. Simon Tam was fighting for Asian Americans to reclaim a word that had been used against them. But it turned out to be an incredibly meaningful case for the free speech of all communities.
REDGE: That is spectacular! That is marvelous! That..is ROCK AND ROLL!
JONATHAN: And Simon Tam didn’t stop there. He continued touring with The Slants until 2019. Then, he co-founded The Slants Foundation, an organization that uses the arts and activism to change the world.
REDGE: That’s great–
JONATHAN: His work has been highlighted in media features in 129 countries like The New York Times, the Washington Post, Rolling Stone, and NPR.
REDGE: Oh, is there more?!
JONATHAN: He works with world leaders and big companies to encourage inclusivity, and he joined other celebrities on a big anti-bullying campaign with the President of the United States, Barack Obama!
He’s worked with other musicians to legally protect free artistic expression.
He’s even continued in numerous artforms, storytelling, composing, working in theater, and more!
Come to think of it, he is as active and creative as you, Redge!
REDGE: He inspires me to do even more. And to fight for others!
JONATHAN: I can understand that! It sounds like he inspires you to “sing from the heart!”
REDGE: Yes! What a perfect phrase!
JONATHAN: It’s actually a lyric from The Slants’ song “From the Heart”!
REDGE: Ooooo I can’t wait to hear it! What an incredible story about an incredible artist and activist.
JONATHAN: I agree.
HOWIE: I’m back with headphones!
JONATHAN: Oh hey, Howie!
REDGE: Wonderful! We’re ready to listen! Thank you, Howie!
HOWIE: You’re welcome!
REDGE: Ok we’ll plug in the headphones…put the vinyl record right here…press play…put on the needle… Headphones on and…(Like he’s shouting because he is listening to loud music) THIS IS WONDERFUL ALREADY!
JONATHAN: Ahh! Redge! You’re speaking a little loudly–
REDGE: I CAN’T HEAR YOU JONATHAN, I’M LISTENING TO THE SLANTS! (Some improv of Redge rocking out)
JONATHAN: Uh…well he might be doing that for a while. I think we’ll definitely be taking The Slants record though!
REDGE: JONATHAN! I THINK WE SHOULD BUY THE SLANTS RECORD!
JONATHAN: See what I mean?
HOWIE: We can ring that up for you!
JONATHAN: Also…do you have any records by The Gulls? Redge really got me in the mood for some beach-worthy tunes…
HOWIE: Oh yes right over here in our Fun in the Sun section!
JONATHAN: Totally tubular! (Laughs sheepishly) Sorry…couldn’t help it!
HOWIE: I see what you did there.
JONATHAN: Alright Howie, lead the way!
REDGE: I LOVE MUSIC!
(Episodes fades out with Redge rocking out to the tunes in his headphones)
JONATHAN CORMUR: Thanks again to Red Comet Press for sponsoring this episode. They are the independent children’s book publisher that ignites imaginations. Their book, We Sing From the Heart, by Mia Wenjen shares even more about Simon’s Supreme Court fight for free speech and the power of words. Grownups, you can find it at your favorite bookstore. Head over to our show notes for more details.
JONATHAN CORMUR: Dorktales’ Hidden Heroes of History is a Jonincharacter production. This episode was written and produced by Molly Murphy. Howie was voiced by Asher Kim from the Culture Kids Podcast. All other characters were performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings. Reach out to us on Instagram or email us at dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com. Find links in the show notes or go to dorktalesstorytime.com.
Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!
THEME SONG: So gather your squad for all to see. It's a universe that we've imagined. There's twists and turns and lessons learned. This is where the unexpected happens. Join our humble hosts and hit the trails of the wonderful, wacky, wild world of Dorktales.
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