One of the major takeaways that I got from these past two weeks with CLA was to pick and choose your battles, saving your energy and resources so that you are prepared when the optimal time comes to strike.
Politics is a field where participants run the risk of becoming jaded very early on in their careers. What often saddens me even more is that it is so difficult to perceive and judge a politician's true character. The stereotype that all politicians are corrupt is not without substantial evidence backing it up. I am in constant conflict with this idea of wanting to enact real change while having to simultaneously work within a system that so rarely prioritizes the people.
I used to be under the impression that change has to have immediate, observable results but little did I know that some of the most influential change occurs when no one is watching, and can oftentimes be incremental.
Interns meet Deputy Treasurer at California State Treasurer's Office Stephanie Tom
During our trip to the state capital, we had the privilege of speaking with former political consultant Bill Wong. What I noticed right away was how unapologetically genuine he was. He was humble enough to admit that because he could not solve everything there would always be those who challenged the work that he did.
Instead of mulling over his inability to please everyone, he simply accepted that he did not need anyone else’s approval to validate his priorities. There is no use waiting for someone to acknowledge you when it may never happen.
People will not always see the impact you make, nor comprehend the scale of it, but as long as you commit yourself to the communities and issues that matter most to you, the hard work will have all been worth it. We must constantly remind ourselves of the battles that we can each take on individually and also understand that we have allies who can supplement the areas that we lack. Policy is not one-dimensional and it is not work that can be completed by one person alone. We have met API advocates at all levels of state and local government who bear witness to an intimate web of connections that exists to uplift our voices and encourage the API youth to believe that they can be part of real change.
2024 CLA interns take a photo in the State Capitol Building
Board Member of Pacific Islander Health Partnership Melenaite Fifita used a beautiful analogy to underscore why the NHPI community deserved representation and individuality especially when it comes to their data. When one person teased her by saying “Your entire community could fit in my living room,” she responded with “Well that does not mean we are not there. We are still in your living room [meaning you have to take care of our community.]”
We do not merely take up space rather we fill the space and embed ourselves into the fabric of government and society. I want to defiantly declare to the world that we have the capability and network to make our mark even when our voices are often excluded from conversations at the round table. Change is well within our reach, we just have to be willing to embrace that it is not an easy path. Each week my heart becomes more and more fulfilled knowing that I am someone who fills the spaces that I reach.
Team B engage in a playful photoshoot outside of the State Capitol Building
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 Emma Tom, Leadership Academy 2024 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.