What a week it has been! The past seven days have been filled with a myriad of exploration and immersion for our cohort, as we actively engaged in various events aimed at understanding and advocating for our community. From an insightful Jimmy Gomez press conference and town hall to addressing the crucial issue of San Gabriel Valley Redistricting and delving into the significance of API Data Disaggregation, every day brought new learning.
On Monday, we had the privilege of attending a press conference and town hall led by the inspiring Jimmy Gomez. As a representative for California’s 34th congressional district, he provided us with valuable insights into the current political landscape and his efforts to address the pressing issues facing our community. His commitment to transparency and overcoming was evident throughout the event, leaving us feeling motivated to take an active role in shaping our society for the better. In particular, I appreciated his tactic and his ability to highlight his political profile through storytelling. In a way, it humanized him. The origin of his story was not rooted in the world of political advocacy; even though that is what he does now. Originally venturing down the pre-med route, Jimmy Gomez found comfort in fighting for his family, and his community. This shift in aspirations stuck with me. There is always something to discover about yourself; especially when it comes to your needs and figuring out more ways to make an impact in the world.
One of the most crucial topics we tackled during the week was the San Gabriel Valley Redistricting. Redistricting results in unequal representation and diminishes the voice of certain communities. Nancy, Farrah, and Dr. Juily Phun presented us with an opportunity to address this issue head-on. It was empowering to witness how collective efforts and collaboration opposed the existing plans to “cut up” the San Gabriel Valley. Given only a week to curate an alternative plan proved to be exhausting, their willingness to “go down fighting” was extremely admirable. It was a gratifying experience to see how our advocacy and perseverance could lead to tangible change.
Later in the week, we also had a great session on API Data Disaggregation. Led by Richard Calvin Chang, the Data Analytics Director and co-founder of the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Data Policy Lab at UCLA's Center for Health Policy Research, we delved into the importance of accurate data representation. Understanding the diverse experiences and needs of different Asian and Pacific Islander communities is vital for creating policies that truly serve everyone. The AAPI community is not a monolith. However, a lot of data that goes into understanding this diverse community makes it seem as if they are. There are vast disparities that exist within Asian ethnic sub-groups. The more that we guise those disparities with faulty numbers and concepts, the more harm these specific communities face. Asian American issues are not synonymous with Pacific Islander issues. Similarly, Southeast Asian issues are not the same as East Asian issues. Calvin Chang's expertise shed light on the transformative power of disaggregated data and how it can inform decision-makers to enact positive change.
As we reflect on the week's events, we are filled with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility. Community engagement and advocacy are not one-time tasks; they are ongoing commitments to uplift and empower those around us. We have learned that when we come together, our voices amplify, and change becomes not just a distant hope but a tangible reality.
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not reflect the views or positions of CAUSE or the CAUSE network.
Written by Phong Nguyen, Leadership Academy 2023 Intern.
The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA) for students is a nine-week, paid, internship program that prepares college undergraduates to lead and advocate for the Asian Pacific Islander community on their campuses and beyond.