On this week’s “In Focus SoCal,” in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, host Tanya McRae speaks with key figures including Rep. Ted Lieu who represents California’s 36th Congressional District, and Monterey Park Mayor Thomas Wong, who is now serving in the city where he grew up and still calls home.
Lieu and Wong shared their insights highlighting the challenges AANHPI communities continue to face, as well as the progress and ongoing efforts being made to ensure equity and representation for those communities throughout the U.S.
In his fifth term in Congress, Lieu was elected by his colleagues to serve as vice chair of the Democratic Caucus, making him the highest ranking Asian American to have ever served in House leadership. Known for his efforts at promoting justice and inclusivity, Lieu has been instrumental in championing policies aimed at combating discrimination and hate on a national level. He continues to take the lead in initiatives in Congress promoting equality for AANHPI communities.
Lieu said the interests and concerns of the AANHPI community are the same as any other American.
“We want a good education, we want good jobs, we want to feel safe, we want lower costs. And we want to make sure that the climate crisis is addressed. So those are issues that I've worked on, both on behalf of the AANHPI community as well as for all Americans in our democratic caucus,” he explained.
To address the rise in hate crimes against AANHPI communities, President Joe Biden signed two executive orders to counter AAPI hate.
“There's a number of local communities that have had rallies, standing with the AANHPI community against acts of hate and discrimination, I think we're in a different place where people realize that it is wrong to discriminate against people who happen to be AANHPI,” Lieu said.
Monterey Park, located just east of downtown LA, is a community often referred to as the first suburban Chinatown, a special place for local Asian American residents that has welcomed immigrants who have arrived to the LA area from Taiwan, China, Southeast Asia, Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Wong, who serves as the mayor of Monterey Park, shared what makes the city special and why it’s important to recognize and celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month.
"It’s critical for me as an Asian American leader, and for many in our community, especially in Monterey Park, which is two-thirds Asian American, in terms of its population, to be able to celebrate our heritage and our contributions to the community and the region to what makes America an amazing place to be in and the opportunities that it's provided for so many of our families,” Wong explained.
Throughout the month of May, AANHPI Heritage is celebrated in a variety of ways, from cultural events and art exhibits to educational events and film festivals. There’s a local nonprofit organization called Visual Communications that has been supporting and inspiring film and media creatives for more than fifty years.
Visual Communications, known as VC, hosts an annual event that develops and inspires the next generation of AANHPI storytellers.
Honestine Pa’ala Fraser, a local Pacific Islander filmmaker, was inspired to bring the stories of her Samoan culture to life on screen. Her film titled, “Come Together,” premiered at the 40th VC Film Fest.
Honestine, who is Samoan, Japanese and Caucasian, said that working on her short brought her closer to her Samoan culture and her family.
“My family has never seen themselves on screen like this. And Samoan women have never seen themselves on screen like this. So I think just sort of like reclaiming my culture in that way. And it's something that I really learned through this process,” she said.
“When it comes to AAPI month, I think the “PI” part is pretty underrepresented," she added. "And so this project was a way for me to show that we are here and our stories are a part of AAPI month as well."
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