” Your Story, Our Movement”: Asian Pacific American conference unifies community
June 8, 2015
De Anza’s Asian Pacific American community embraced storytelling and community unification in its annual “ Your Story, Our Movement” conference ,Saturday, May 30.
The 12-hour conference addressed political and social issues that affect the Asian Pacific American community with “The Power of Now” as its central theme.
Three guest speakers shared their stories on a stage set in the De Anza cafeteria, while students and faculty presented a total of 12 workshops in classrooms.
Asian Pacific American conference, “Your Story, Our Movement: The Power of Now” featured keynote speakers, workshops, leadership training, and a concert in the Hinson Campus Center on Saturday, May 30.
Ju Hong, a previously undocumented immigrant from South Korea, outlined his development as a leading activist in immigration reform.
He said he participated in a protest against anti-immigration laws in 2011, chanting “undocumented, unafraid” as the police arrested him.
“I could get deported,” Hong said, “but I was tired of waiting for politicians to do something.”
Students at “Your Story, Our Movement” learn how to build consciousness about issues that impact the Asia Pacific American community through a teach-in led by keynote speaker Kate Rigg.
Hong encouraged the audience to “raise [their] voice, bring awareness and make changes”.
Kate Rigg, an Asian- American actor, writer, stand-up comic and playwright emphasized the importance of storytelling through arts.
Rigg said that Asian Americans are compelled to have an “APA voice” because of the pressure from the outside to group them together and that the community needed to have role models to look up to, including artists.
“People need to support the narratives that minority groups have but are not recognized,” said Tao Manacmul, 19, English major.
Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University, explored the concept of “the promise.”
“The promise is potential,” Tintiangco-Cubales said. But moving “from potentiality to commitment” is the key to success.
She said she had not realized her potential until her Chicano studies professor at Ohlone Community College praised her essay.
“Ethnic Studies saved me,” Tintiangco-Cubales said. “I was learning to be humanized and to be thoughtful and loving for myself.”
Tintiangco-Cubales was named one of the 100 most influential Filipinas in the world, according to zoominfo.com.
Dr. Allison Tintiago-Cubales encourages students to learn more about ethnic studies and get involved to take action both on and off campus in the Hinson Campus Center on May 30.
Besides guest speakers and workshops, the conference featured food, music and a concert featuring performances from De Anza students and clubs.
The two-hour concert included performances by the Vietnamese Student Association, K-pop Dance Club, DAgency, rapper Jason Chu, singer Hana Kim and hip-hop artist DANakaDAN.
Co-chair of the conference Helen Vu, 19, political science major, said she was satisfied with the overall outcome of the event.
“We have been preparing for six months,” Vu said, “and it was a rewarding experience to see it coming together.”
The conference was the biggest success this year, but Vu said there was also room for improvement.
“I expected more people to come by,” Vu said. “We missed some aspects of the conference.”
Vu said she learned the importance of individual voices through her community organizing activities.
“Don’t feel as though what you say is irrelevant,” Vu said. “Voice matters.”
