Simon Tam to bring unique blend of art, activism to Weber State
OGDEN, Utah — Weber State University’s Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities and the Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service will host an evening with author, musician and self-proclaimed “troublemaker” Simon Tam on Oct. 14. 
Part of the Browning Presents! series, Tam's talk, titled “Showing What’s Possible in Arts and Activism,” will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theater.
As a recipient of the Mark T. Banner award from the American Bar Association and the Hugh M. Hefner First Amendment award, Tam gained public awareness by winning a landmark case in the U.S. Supreme Court in 2017. His memoir, "Slanted: How an Asian American Troublemaker Took On The Supreme Court" was named “One of the Best Books on the Constitution of All Time” by Book Authority and won an award for Best Autobiography/Memoir from the Independent Publisher Book Awards.
“Simon Tam's experience as a punk musician and as a litigant in a supreme court case gives him a unique insight into the role of the arts in our culture,” said Deborah Uman, dean of the College of Arts & Humanities. “I'm excited to hear his message of arts and activism, and know his story will resonate with our students in more ways than one.”
Tam’s work has been highlighted in thousands of media features across 129 countries. He is the founder and bassist of The Slants, one of the first all-Asian American dance rock bands in the world.
“One of the messages out there is that young people cannot succeed in making change happen,” said Leah Murray, director of the Walker Institute. “Simon Tam's story is one that shows how that does not have to be the case — that a young person, who believes in something, and has something to say to the world, can make the United States government yield. I hope all of our students come to this presentation and see themselves in Simon Tam.”
For more details on this free event, visit the College of Arts & Humanities’ event calendar.
Tim Costello, Walker Institute
801-626-7948, timcostello@weber.edu- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu