Why Politics? - Because traditional political structures exclude women of color

           In the wake of the mass shooting in Georgia and the ongoing attacks against Asian Americans during COVID, I’m reminded of why I entered politics - because traditional political structures and institutions were built to exclude women, Black, Indigenous, people of color, and marginalized communities. I’m in politics because I want to pave the way for women of color who are working to create real change for their communities and want the issues affecting myself and my community seen and addressed by our government.

         Despite settling in the DC area, my immigrant parents never had the time to be involved in politics and immigrated from countries where doing so meant risking our safety. I was raised as a first-generation American in a working-class home, and wasn’t aware of how politics shaped my family and community’s access. For me, high school was when I began to wake up to my own identity as an Asian American and I started to learn how I could support others in the Laotian and Thai refugee communities that my family was a part of. In college, this led me to study political science and to find the Asian American Women’s Political Initiative (AAWPI), where I began to find my power and voice in politics and government.

         Through AAWPI, I had my first internship at the State House and was supported by a cohort of diverse Asian American women who were also going through the same experience of interning at a State House that didn’t reflect the diversity outside of its walls. Over six months together, we created deep bonds through discussing our unique lived experiences as women of color, and how our identities affected our professional development and day to day lives. Without the mentorship and community I gained from AAWPI, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I saw that for women of color, stepping up to work in politics is a way to advance the needs of our communities, and a way to serve our country. That’s why I am drawn to New Politics, in many ways AAWPI and New Politics disrupt traditional barriers to entry for individuals who want to serve politically. They create pipelines of change and invest in people over politics. 

         I continue to do this work to pave the way for young AAPI people who are going through the same formative political experiences that I did. Even if I am the only person who looks like me in a given space, I am inspired every day by the ways my community is growing into its power even in the face of incredible barriers and pain.

         I’ve been lucky enough to present as my authentic self in politics - and to hold power in my story. And I know that just by showing up to work every day and being truly myself, I’m elevating the voices of people like me. That’s why I believe it is critical that all servant leaders entering politics tell their authentic stories. Let’s work together to challenge those who traditionally have power to think critically about their power and privilege, and to create change as individuals and collective communities.

The way we can make a change is by stepping up to serve through politics. That’s why my hope is that more women of color share their stories and know that they can create the change that we need for our communities through politics.