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View Full Version : How invested are you in the APIA ID/YW?


tripostrophe
07-22-2007, 01:36 AM
Thought of this while reading about some stuff going down elsewhere on the internet.

So I think there are some views that are pretty universal, if not necessary, to the APIA identity. e.g. the model minority myth is harmful and should be combated, the identity goes beyond fashion and language, etc. (feel free to disagree).

But take the biggest issue (to you) just before all that. One that you think is just as essential as whatever the basics of the APIA ID are. How we treat the LGBT community within our community, how we treat feminism/womanism, classism, (dis)ability, etc.

If someone started a thread on said topic, and it turned out that a majority of users felt differently than you did, and simply dismissed the issue or were outright hostile, how would you react?

Starting with YW, do you feel that you get enough from this community in terms of education and growth that you'd roll with it (not necessarily meaning accept it), and stick with the community? Or would you likely leave and find another place to post/learn?

Beyond YW, how do you feel these issues are treated within the APIA community around where you live (if there is a comparable APIA community for you at all). Do you feel they're being totally ignored? A long ways to go, but stagnant?

Do you feel your identity as an APIA is strong enough that it's a focal point of your self/identity, or is it something that you can put aside from time to time? By this, I mean are you willing to let it take second tier to other identities such as LGBT, woman, x class, x religion, x political party, animal rights, environmentalist, etc?

Just wondering...I want to say that I'm really thankful for this community here. It's allowed me to learn and grow in so many ways, and I like the interaction that goes on. It's cool to see people progressing and all. I think I'll be staying with this through anything. Same with the APIA ID in general/life, even if I tend to code-switch/mute it sometimes.

:edit: And if you do find it to be lacking...what is it that could bring you back/encourage you?

hooligan
07-22-2007, 02:22 AM
I organized youth in LA, Chinatown and I worked in various APIA groups around my college and I'm working as a staff member for my school's Asian Pacific Islander American Medical Students Association. Hope to see some of you guys at the regionals.

Napoleon Chynamite
07-22-2007, 08:36 AM
I e-mailed and left voice mails for a bunch of so-called APIA organizations in my area after college for input re: how I could somehow combine the task of making a living with contributing to and helping out the APIA cause and political movement. Response was minimal; I had an offer to become a freelance writer for a local paper but with basically no pay and it would be very temporary. What's funny is how difficult it can be to even find volunteer or nonprofit work sometimes. Guess I wasn't motivated to try harder and put out my feelers a bit more to let people know I was serious. Gave up, but didn't want a desk job either, so now I'm just making coffee.