Women Representing in our Nation's Capitol

Last weekend I attended the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF) conference in Washington DC as a representative from the totally kickin' Bay Area chapter. To read about some great facts, figures and insight from the conference, yu can also check fellow NAPAWF sister, Olivia's blog post at Asian Pacific Americans for Progress.

The conference was a beautiful experience.  Flights cross country are always exhausting, but I had a great hotel and got to immediately meet with fellow NAPAWF sisters at the locally famous Nando's peri peri chicken place. This dinner was my first time meeting NAPAWF sisters from other chapters and they were a cool bunch as  expected (the NAPAWF chapter in the Bay Area helped me to make some of my first real friendships in the Bay Area, so yes they're a great bunch!). The night ended with a bunch of my east coast homies from college and I talking Afghan politics while the first snowfall that DC has had this season drifted beautifully outside. Ah how I miss snow!

Oh snowflakes, I love thee

The next day the conference was on! I think it was the coolest conference that I've been to, full of passionate, friendly young Asian women ready to go out there and fight for the rights of our communities. That morning,  NAPAWF founding sisters and conference participants sat on the floor to talk, instead of sitting on a typical panel desk with a microphone. I think that symbolized the organization and the women in the organization better than anything. This was not a sisterhood of hierarchy; we were on equal footing with one another, we are friends, colleagues and sisters in arms! Founding sisters shared their deeply personal stories as to why civil rights, women's rights, immigrant rights work mattered to them. Most of us are immigrants or were the children of immigrants that struggled and suffered as they worked hard to establish a life in a new land (my story included). It was wonderful to feel connected, though I was desperately trying not to cry from their stories because well, my make up would run (I'm kidding...sorta).

Keepin it real, NAPAWF style

The rest of the weekend went by fast, as I tried to stay awake and aware despite my jet lag. There was a fierce open mic night with NAPAWF sisters performing last Saturday and I was floored by the performances. Passion, activism and art go hand in hand and it was pretty empowering to watch my fellow sisters express themselves.

But the big day was Monday because it was Lunar New Years, Happy Year of the Dragon! Oh yea and it was also LOBBY DAY.  Often when people think about 'lobbying' they think of cigarette and oil companies. Unfortunately though do hold a disproportionate hold on what goes down in Congress, there are amazing groups and non-profits that lobby for reproductive rights, immigrant rights and healthcare reform (the good kind). Speaking of reproductive rights,  last Sunday was the 39th anniversary of the landmark supreme court decision Roe v. Wade, and that Monday, while we at NAPAWF were fighting for women's rights over the bodies, anti-abortion crowds descended upon the capitol like dark vultures of oppressive doom (sorry I'm biased, does it show?). It was a bit surreal for me to race through DC through the rain in a cab while mostly Caucasian masses held up huge photos of mutilated fetuses and signs proclaiming their love for inequality, I mean...religion (or something).

NAPAWF sisters looking well behaved, don't be fooled

I was part of the Healthcare advocacy group that would visit Congresswoman Barbara Lee's office (of whom I am a proud constituent).  All of the congressional offices we visited were friendly, as in they were on our side when it came to progressive stances on immigration and healthcare issues, but this was a chance, a first for many of us, to experience lobbying for our causes and to connect with congressional offices to provide them with support from our 11 national chapters when it comes to national issues.

Did I mention that I love Congresswoman Barbara Lee? I love Barbara Lee, and it was great to drop into her DC office. We met with one of her head staffers and though Lee's office is petty aware on on our side when it comes to healthcare issues, I made sure to notify her office about the plight that refugee women and men faced in the Bay Area due to unbelievably high unemployment rates (which conversely affects everything from healthcare, to family violence, to poverty). Though local leaders in the Bay Area are usually progressive, many may not know of issues affecting certain communities on the ground until someone (usually advocates) notify them about the issue directly. 

After our lobbying efforts, we joined a Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Women's Briefing with a panel of great speakers from different Federal agencies and White House initiatives. After the policy briefing, NAPAWF was given their moment to shine by sharing our personal stories regarding reasons behind fighting  for universal healthcare, ensuring safe environmental conditions at nail salons and avoiding the deportations of innocent people and tearing apart families through our immigration laws.  These are issues that are integral to the well being of not just our communities, but for communities throughout the country. 

Again with the tears, during the briefing, my friend and fellow Bay Area NAPAWF sister told her emotional story of her mothers healthcare problems. You can hear her story, as well as the stories of other NAPAWF ladies here. Again I was trying not to cry hysterically in front of the White House panel. That was hard, but definitely not as hard as telling the story in the first. Props to you Jenny Ton, and thank you for sharing!

Go girls!! Right up there on the White House website front page!

I had to leave before the panel ended, but I had the fortune of running into former NAPAWF Executve Director and current White House Initiative on AAPI's Executive Director, Kiran Ahuja in the hallway. That was a nice end to the conference as I rushed off to catch my flight.

It was a special experience to get to know and represent alongside such amazing, strong and loving women. Thank you girls and thanks to NAPAWF for such an empowering weekend. It gives me hope to continue the work I do. I know that as long as there are women like us in the world, we will continually fight for the rights of communities and individuals who do not have the opportunity or privilege to stand up for their rights. May we one day have universal healthcare, uphold and expand our reproductive rights and see a more fair and just immigration system. These are tall orders, but I have hope, I know that WE have hope and are working to make these dreams a reality.

Sisters, proud and taking charge on Capitol Hill!
 

Government Meets Grassroots

Yay! now where are the jobs? Answer you politicians!

I have always been a big proponent of grassroots work leading to systematic change in policy.  Unfortunately, these two aspects do not intersect often enough; with there being a major disconnect between what takes place in congressional meetings and what is actually occuring on the ground, in our neighborhoods and communities.

Congresspeople on stage

Recently however, I have been attending meetings and open houses where members of the Obama administration and members of Congress have directly came out to hear the stories and issues that are occurring everyday in our communities. I am aware that these efforts may be related to re-election purposes, but regardless I think that listening to the concerns of communities is a step in a direction towards positive systemic change.

Congressman Mike Honda!

Last week I attended a Speakout for Good Jobs event, which was a townhall type meeting with Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Progressive Caucus Co-Chair Raul Grijalva and Congressman Mike Honda (my favorite congressman!). The event was held in a massive church/worship space where members of the community lined up to speak about their grievances and concerns regarding employment, or more accurately, unemployment.

woman fighting for the rights of the disabled

And there were LOTS of grievances.
I didn't speak, though I have a lot to say from my personal experience about unemployment, but it was a valuable experience for me to attend something like this. I never attended a open house with congress members and I honestly wish that there could be more of these events. The people with the most concerns and the greatest need for help are most often the ones who are being silenced. These events allow members of the community to speak up, but is it enough?

Activist, community leader and best friend, Nwe Oo

I also attended another event last Thursday, where a collection of leaders from the local Burmese community  met with Daphne Kwok, Chair of President Barack Obama's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, in downtown Oakland (to read additional info about the event, read this great article written by Oakland Digital, our gracious hosts). Many of the community leaders were refugees or were speaking on behalf of the Burmese refugee community in Oakland. Again, much of the rhetoric dealt with lack of jobs for refugees, the economy and problematic budget cuts that dealt serious blows to the well beings of high need individuals and families. The meeting was packed, with community members spilling onto the sidewalk outside the room. Different leaders took turns to
speak. Tluang Salai, a refugee from the Chin ethnic community and an advocate with the non-profit organization Catholic Charities relayed the problems faced by the Chin people of Burma, especially since the numbers of Chin that will be resettled in Oakland will go up drastically in the coming months (stay tuned for my upcoming interview on Salai and the Chin community on my other blog Us Ordinary People). Nwe Oo, a Rakhine refugee and Burmese community activist thanked Daphne for her time to listen to the needs and concerns of the community, especially due to the lack of attention that Burmese cultural groups usually receive.

Burmese community in Oakland

The most poignant part of this event was the unity shown by the different Burmese groups that attended the event. Burma is a country with a very complex and fragmented history, full of political strife and military oppression. Though the diverse minority groups within the country have all faced severe repression from the government, there are considerable differences within different ethnic groups. This event brought everyone in one room, with the common goal of improving the lives of their people, and in this instance they were all sharing their stories and concerns together.

It is promising to see government affiliated representatives directly meet with the people who are directly affected by policy changes, but obviously that is far from enough. What remains to be seen is WHAT will happen with this information. Will it lead to policy change? Will the suffering of working class and lower class men and women be addressed?
The forces shaping policy know the issues, they have heard it from the mouth of the people in our communities. But knowing is not enough, the proof is in action and in fighting for the rights of these communities; fighting against big businesses and corporations that are swimming in assistance money that has not trickled down to our communities.

Community members with Daphne Kwok

Knowledge is power, but action is the tool for change. It is time to use these tools to help the people who need it the most.