The term AAPI refers specifically to “Asian American & Pacific Islander” communities, yet in my experiences with AAPI advocacy work, I haven’t really had many chances in the past to interact with many Pacific Islander communities. Therefore, it was incredibly heartwarming to visit the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PIEAM) for the first time and speak with the museum staff, Fran Lujan and Samantha Olvera, as well as the resident artist, JP (Jason Pereira).
One of my favorite works of art from the museum was one of JP’s murals that depicted four people and the ocean behind a real hand-woven sail, with the words “we are accountable to the land” and “we are accountable to each other”.
I loved that each of the artworks in the museum told a specific story, and we were able to get a glimpse of indigenous histories as we walked around the museum. Something that especially stood out to me was a map depicting all the islands in the Pacific—it brought up topics from conversations we’ve had in my Asian American studies courses regarding how Pacific Islander stories are oftentime erased even within the AAPI community, so I loved seeing how these exhibits highlighted the diversity within Pacific Islanders.
As the CAUSE Leadership Academy nears the end, I’ve also had a chance to look back and reflect on what being a part of this program has meant for me. When I arrived in the CAUSE office on the first day, I was jittery with butterflies at the thought of meeting the cohort during orientation and getting to know my host office supervisor. However, to my surprise, these last eight weeks have turned out to be the most meaningful internship experience I’ve ever had. CAUSE gave us the opportunity to network with incredible AAPI organizers and policymakers, who offered us invaluable advice about different ways to approach social justice and changemaking both inside and outside the system. I’ve been able to work with KCAL Insurance and learn more about health insurance and MediCare access for AAPI folks in the Southern California. And most importantly, I’ve had the opporunity to spend time working on a project with the rest of the 2022 CLA cohort, an experience I value and will miss deeply as we conclude our time with CAUSE.
To my fellow cohort members, it has been incredible getting to know you all better these last few weeks, and I know that you will all do great in your future career trajectories — whether that might be law/grad school, finding another internship, or working in a social justice nonprofit such as CAUSE. Thank you for an amazing summer and I’m going to miss you all so much!
