Three years ago at a crowded BART station in Oakland, California, educator Catherine Shieh was waiting for a train when a man approached her, asking for spare change. When Shieh, who is Taiwanese American, told him she didn’t carry cash, the man swung his fist and knocked her over. Then he started punching her. “I was knocked over to the …
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Deja Vu on the Chinese Exclusion Act
As the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community celebrate Lunar New Year, we embrace its intent of renewal and hope. The start of this auspicious time is marred by an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, fueling economic uncertainty, political unrest, and racial injustice. Yet as we address diversity, equity, and inclusion, it is …
One Nation Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice For All
It’s been quite a crazy time in the United States of America. One of my observations is that we were NOT one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all as our pledge of allegiance declares. Maybe we get a pass since the kids were not in school to say the pledge every morning due to COVID-19, but geez, this was the most …
Things I’ve Learned During The Pandemic 2020 – Part 3
It's the start of a new week, and I'm happy to report that I am still maintaining a routine that accommodates my work, community work, family life, and personal time & growth. To say the least, it’s been an interesting couple of months. We are navigating in unchartered territories, and it is yielding quite a different world. …