It’s been two weeks since eight people were killed in Atlanta, six of whom were Asian women. It’s been two weeks since the murderer had a “bad day.” It’s been two weeks of aches, despondency, and rage. Yet, these emotions aren’t new for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. We know the bitter truth. I’ve recently been reintroduced to a Korean word, Han that cannot be precisely defined. Han is a sentiment that is novel to Korean individuals who have been subject to colonization and imperialism time and again. Dr. Kiona defines Han as, “a feeling of unresolved resentment against injustices suffered, a sense of helplessness because of the overwhelming odds against one, a feeling of acute pain in one’s guts and bowels, making the whole body writhe and squirm, and an obstinate urge to take revenge and to right the wrong-all these combined.” Perhaps it’s because I’m Korean-American but I feel so seen and validated by this word -- it so consummately but delicately describes the turbulent feelings flowing inside me. On top of the anger I’m also just so, so tired. I’m tired of being dehumanized and reduced to a stereotype. I’m tired of being the punchline and the scapegoat. I’m tired of people celebrating Asian heritage and culture but not discussing the violence and discrimination in the AAPI community. I’m tired of the divisiveness I see between marginalized communities as a result of white supremacy. I’m tired of having to ask friends to step-up and take care of me and my community. I’m tired of the “buts” and debates that ensue when I have conversations with family and community members about racism, sexism, and anti-blackness in the AAPI community. I’m also ashamed that I’m not louder, that I always feel the weight of internalized oppression, that I still hesitate to speak my reality more loudly. These feelings weighed heavy on me on my way to the Philly Rally for Solidarity, organized by Philly4Solidarity last week on Thursday, March 25th in Chinatown. Having been in a mood all week, I was looking forward to the rally but I was also nervous because I worried, what if only 10 people show up? What if something happens while we’re all there together? What if…? The best way I can describe the rally is that it was healing. I got to the rally right at 3 pm and was immediately welcomed by some of the wonderful grassroots organizers, who invited me to help out with little tasks like passing out cardboard and markers to make signs. The buzzing energy of collectivity and unity was palpable. From the five of us tearing up cardboard so that everyone could create a sign to when all of us - white, Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian - shared a collective space of grief and strength as we marched together to City Hall. I left the rally with new friends, new allies, and a touch bit lighter. I want to thank the organizers who made this space happen. I also want to plainly and clearly say that just because there’s been a rally, the fight isn’t over. All of us, as a collective, must continue to do the work and keep pushing for everyone’s liberation. I read Adrienne Maree Brown’s book Emergent Strategy last year and want to end with her wise words: “I think it is healing behavior, to look at something so broken and see the possibility and wholeness in it. In hope and solidarity, Amy
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Simmer and Stir: Food, Culture, and Storytelling Simmer and Stir: Food, Culture, and Storytelling is a virtual event of storytelling and connection where we share vivid memories of our favorite foods. A warm meal can be so much more than just calories - it is a way to come together with friends and families, to honor our ancestors, to express love and care. For students of color, culinary traditions may be especially meaningful as a taste of home. COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges including social isolation, and many of us are pining for all those meals with loved ones that we once took for granted. Although we can't share a meal together in-person this semester, join us virtually to honor these meals through another sacred tradition- storytelling. We are currently accepting submissions from students, faculty, and staff who would like to share a story at the event. Submissions can be:
Check out these examples below for inspiration.
The deadline for submissions is April 9, 2021. It’s ok if what you have is a draft- we will let you know if your story was selected by April 13 so storytellers will have plenty of time to finalize their pieces by the event. Storytellers who are selected will be asked to perform their story live via Zoom on the night of the event (April 22nd at 6:00 p.m. EDT). Storytellers will also get a free meal via delivery service. This event is a collaboration between the Penn Food and Wellness Collaborative, Natives at Penn, and the Pan-AsianAmerican Community House, Greenfield Intercultural Center, La Casa Latina, LGBT Center, Penn Women's Center, MAKUU, and Penn Violence Prevention.
Representing over 15 different tribes and nations, Natives at Penn (NAP) is dedicated to increasing awareness and visibility of our Native & Indigenous students, cultures, histories, and contemporary issues. Our Annual Powwow event provides one such opportunity. Starting with the first powwow on Pennʻs campus in 1993 (organized by NAP founders, Six Directions), to the start of our annual events in 2010, to our last powwow in 2019 before the pandemic, these gatherings have brought together singers, dancers, students, teachers, elders, and learners across diverse backgrounds, both Indigenous and not, to celebrate, elevate, and amplify Native voices and wisdom.
While we of course can’t wait to be back in person with everyone, Natives at Penn and the Greenfield Intercultural Center are extremely excited for our upcoming Powwow Education event on Saturday, March 27, from 1 - 3pm ET! This year’s virtual event provides an intentional space and time for all of our attendees to better understand and connect with the elements of a powwow. Our featured guests will share the significance of different songs, dances, regalia, and protocols in their traditions. Once we have that greater insight, we will have the unique opportunity of participating in an abbreviated virtual powwow. Whether you’re a more seasoned powwow practitioner missing this space and community, or you’re new and eager to learn so you can participate in powwows in a respectful and appropriate way, this event is for you! As we collectively work to be more mindful, intentional, and inclusive, we hope that you will join us this Saturday at 1pm ET. Register at http://bit.ly/NAPpowwow2021. One Month Since the Storms in TexasIt’s been one month since the devastating winter storms in Texas. While the ice may have melted the storm has not passed and the effects of the crisis are still very much relevant and need is still high. Hear from a local voice, Samaira Sirajee '15, who discusses what happened in Texas, how she leveraged her connections to support her community, what she learned, and the power of mutual aid. Who is Samaira? I am a 2015 Penn alum who works in K-12 education. Currently, I live in Houston and am the Founding Assistant Principal of Operations at KIPP Mosaic Primary School, a brand-new KIPP campus in Southwest Houston. I live with my husband, Jonathan Lym, who is also a 2015 Penn alum, our two guinea pigs, and our dog. We are expecting our first child together in August! What have you been doing to help your community in light of the historic storms? The storm was a very traumatic experience for me and my family. We went days without electricity, water, warm food, internet, and cellular service. However, I knew that we were one of the lucky ones who didn't suffer any long-term consequences of the storm (e.g. no damage to our home, we live in a more affluent community that restocked its grocery shelves quickly). It became apparent to me that that was not the case with many of the families who attended our school. In the aftermath of the storm, KIPP gave us a few days as a staff to check-in with all 260 of our school's families. Our teachers made note of which families needed help and our Leadership Team got to work figuring out the best way to assist these families. From this experience I learned that by taking the time to ask and understand what each family needed prior to jumping into "help mode", we were able to identify patterns and address the issues more thoroughly and using a more tailored approach. I have a tendency to jump into "help mode" prematurely, which can lead to wasted resources or help that is superficial. How you were able to leverage your connections to do for parents and families and what you learned? Coincidentally, over the past few months I have been working to make connections with community organizations in Southwest Houston that serve the same families we serve. At the time I was making these connections, I didn't realize how soon I would need to call on their support. The Houston Food Bank chose our campus as one of its food distribution sites. Over the course of two days, they were able to distribute fresh produce and water to over 1000 Houston families. A local faith community donated dozens of blankets that we were able to make available to our families. We opened up our campus, which had running water, for families to fill large containers with potable and non-potable water. However, the biggest lesson for me came from a fundraiser I was conducting with my personal connections. The wonderful, Valerie de Cruz, reached out to me during the storm asking how I was doing and how she could help. She suggested that she might be able to find a few Penn alums who would be willing to donate to Houston families in need. This suggestion sparked an idea and made me realize that there were probably many people outside of Texas who wanted to help but didn't know the most impactful way to do so. I made a post on my personal Instagram page asking for donations from my family and friends that would go directly towards assisting the families at our school who needed it. Many of our families needed help making unexpected repairs to their home from burst pipes, restocking their fridges after everything spoiled, paying higher than normal electricity bills, finding drinkable water since most of the water was on boil notice, etc. I was expecting a few hundred dollars to help a few families. However, in just a few days, I received close to $4,000 in financial donations. I was truly overwhelmed with the generosity of my friends and family and knew this amount could help us have a greater impact on more families. Because I live in a more affluent community, I was able to use some of the donations to buy many of the supplies our school's families were having trouble getting access to at their local stores (e.g. bottled water, cleaning supplies, medicine for children, diapers, etc.) and I drove around delivering these supplies to families. From the teacher call notes, I was able to identify 11 families who had suffered severe damages to their homes and were in need of financial assistance. With the remaining funds, I was able to give cash payments to these 11 families ranging from $300-$450, which helped pay for plumbers, handymen, groceries, car repairs, etc. From this experience I learned that by taking the time to ask and understand what each family needed prior to jumping into "help mode", we were able to identify patterns and address the issues more thoroughly and using a more tailored approach. I have a tendency to jump into "help mode" prematurely, which can lead to wasted resources or help that is superficial. What are you taking away from this experience and what should we, non-Texans, know or do to help? There is still a great need in the community in the aftermath of the storm. Unfortunately, many insurance carriers are not covering the damages that many homes sustained. As a result, many families are having to pay out-of-pocket, even after suffering from lost wages from not working the week during or weeks after the storm. Many are still paying off large utility bills. Because many families were forced to shelter with others during the storm, many have contracted COVID and are having to deal with the aftermath of that. This has been a horrific experience for many, on top of the pandemic. Non-Texans can help by staying informed, donating to mutual aid funds in Texas, and advocating for stricter regulation of electricity companies who are seeking to profit off of these traumatic events. Organizations to check-out and support!
What happened in Texas?
Being the first in the family navigating college and workplace can be challenging. Being first sometimes means not knowing what you don’t know until you know it. At Penn, we strive to do our best to help our Penn FGLI community members with internal and external resources. As such, we are excited to share a valuable resource with you. Rise First is an online platform/community to serve as a one-stop destination for all first-generation and/or low-income (FGLI) students and professionals to turn to for information, advice and support. This platform is built for and by FGLI students/professional with a goal that no FGLI student needs to navigate their paths alone. Let’s hear it from a recent Penn alum who utilized the Rise First connections. David Thai, a 2018 graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences, shares his experience working with the Rise First organization. “In 2018, I became part of Rise First's founding team after working with Cindy Rentala during the 1vyG Conference on Penn's campus. Cindy connected with me with a business proposal to develop a one-stop destination of resources that is built for and by FGLI students and professionals. The idea immediately resonated with me. I was motivated to join Cindy's efforts in democratizing information, especially given that the broader FGLI demographic often didn't know what they didn't know. Speaking from personal experience, I oftentimes learned about opportunities (e.g. scholarships, jobs/internship postings) too late, compared to my non-FGLI peers, who I often believed had resources readily available. I wanted to ensure that students like myself didn't come across valuable resources too late, so I thought working on Rise First would be the perfect opportunity for me to do just that.” What have you gained as a result of participating with Rise First? “Having joined Rise First during my last year in college, I was able to enter the professional workforce with experience in people and project management, strategy development, and cross-functional collaboration. Through Rise First, I gained the confidence to speak up during meetings, share my thoughts, and openly ask questions without feeling timid. These are soft skills that take time to build, and I'm thankful I had Rise First to give me a safe space to foster them. Moreover, Cindy has been (and continues to be!) a meaningful, inspiring mentor and role model, who has devoted hours of her time to foster my personal and professional growth. For example, I remember looking for my first apartment after college, and I knew nothing about personal finance and budgeting. She spent a few hours sharing her experience and knowledge, which to this day, I pass along to other recent, FGLI college grads. In return, I have fostered relationships with many students and young professionals who have worked with and continue to work with Rise First. It becomes cyclical in nature, where many of our members take on opportunities to mentor those around them.” How has RF complimented/enhanced the work you do outside of RF? “My ongoing engagement with Rise First has taught me how to speak comfortably across a diverse audience, manage different expectations, and learn to not only provide but also receive feedback constructively. I apply these skills as someone who works in the consulting industry, where people-facing skills are essential. Rise First has offered unique opportunities for me to learn about best practices in managing and prioritizing different workstreams, which are often happening simultaneously. Further, Rise First also equipped me with a strong, foundational understanding of how to set personal boundaries and to hold myself (and others) accountable. I feel as though I possess a level of comfort that also allows me to maintain an appropriate work-life balance and to prioritize my health and well-being.” Why should other FGLI students get involved with RF? “Rise First is committed to empowering FGLI students and professionals nationwide to achieve their full potential. We offer a platform that is built for and by FGLI students, which offers a great opportunity for folks to gain real-life business and professional experience. I encourage FGLI students to get involved with our organization as we have so much to offer, especially as a young, start-up, across a number of different teams: marketing, content development, tech, UX/UI, design, partnerships, operations, and finance. Students get the chance to work alongside other student volunteers and professionals who work collectively to close the achievement gap.” Rise First has a robust, content rich website as well as active FGLI community on social media. To leverage their resources, you can:
Follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram to get real-time updates on FGLI related articles, tips and advice as well as career related content (i.e., career webinars, internships and job opportunities) Sign up for their newsletters (at the bottom of Rise First homepage) for career related content, internship and job opportunities (many are specifically for FGLI students) We hope that you will take advantage of these wonderful (and free) resources as you continue with your educational and professional journey. Welcome to the ‘In Translation Book Club’! We will meet every month to discuss a book/story/literature from around the world. Each month will have a theme or chosen book to center our conversations around. March’s Book: We Should All be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Meeting Date: Thursday, March 25th, 2021 at 7 pm ET 💌 If you’d like to receive a card & tea bag from us, indicate so on the zoom registration link! 💌 Deadline: March 16th, 2021 | Send out date: March 17th, 2021 Register in advance for this meeting: https://upenn.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ud--qpzMrEtE11BMVponT1YzV2z6WZ1D7 *Passcode: book DESCRIPTION OF BOOK: In this personal, eloquently-argued essay--adapted from the much-admired TEDx talk of the same name--Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie offers readers a unique definition of feminism for the twenty-first century, one rooted in inclusion and awareness. Drawing extensively on her own experiences and her deep understanding of the often masked realities of sexual politics, here is one remarkable author's exploration of what it means to be a woman now--and an of-the-moment rallying cry for why we should all be feminists. Come as you are and no prior knowledge is required! Feel free to come even if you don’t read the book! More directions below on how else you can engage. While this book club was made with the intention to create space for graduate students, all are welcome! The book club will be facilitated by GIC’s graduate assistants: Mary Ann and Amy. We use the word “facilitated” loosely because we hope to make this an environment rooted in open conversation and not bound by academic structure. WHERE TO BUY THE BOOK: Consider buying from Black-owned book stores in Philadelphia! Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books Harriett’s Bookshop Other: Amazon If you don’t want to buy the book, no problem! Feel free to come as you are and just join in on the conversation or if you want to (but not required) you can watch this TedXTalk from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie herself on the same topic (see video below): |