At the March 1 Lunar New Year banquet for the Seattle chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association, I was asked to say a few words as one of the chapter founders on its 40th anniversary. I felt I had to say what is apparent — that in the last six weeks our nation has been turned upside down.
I opened by reflecting on the excitement we felt in 1985 at the vision of a national organization of like-minded journalists who saw the news through the filter of our own Asian American experience, a group that could be stronger together, that could work with our editors and managers in the news media for fair and accurate coverage of our communities, and that might ensure better coverage by including more Asian American writers and editors and photographers in the newsroom. And I recalled how we talked bravely then about holding government accountable, the idea that our job was to “speak truth to power.”
Flash forward 40 years, and my remarks continued from there:
In just the last six weeks our nation has been turned upside down, and you in particular are getting it from both sides.
As journalists, there are people in power who want to put you in jail for doing your job.
As Asian Americans, there are people in power who want to erase you and your history or take away your citizenship for being an immigrant or a descendant of non-European immigrants.
Don’t let them.
With the weaponized hysteria over diversity, equity, and inclusion, you all saw how the Pike Place Market canceled the Day of Remembrance. I was glad to see how the public pushed back. But the real issue there was fear, their fear of the new administration and any association with the event’s themes of resistance to authority. The Market bent a knee and complied in advance.
The very idea of an Asian American Journalists Association, the idea of an Asian American *anything* in public life, is going to come under scrutiny and attack. What you do at your job tomorrow, next week, next month, is going to matter a lot as our democracy continues to unravel.
So, I urge you, don’t let them.
Do not comply in advance.
Do not censor yourself.
Do what you can to make your work count.
Speak truth to power.
Thank you.
