Today We Say It Loudly and Obnoxiously

Summary

Krista Liu, president of the Silicon Valley Chinese Association Foundation, addresses a crowd in Boston, highlighting the changing role of Asian Americans in politics. She recounts the community's activism against SCA 5 in California, which aimed to reintroduce racial considerations in university admissions. Liu emphasizes the importance of breaking the model minority stereotype and making voices heard, urging for unity and equal education rights amidst a divided nation.

Takeaways

• 📢 Introduction: Krista Liu, the president of Silicon Valley Chinese Association foundation, addresses the audience in Boston, representing Californians who couldn't attend due to distance but supported the event financially.
• 🌟 Representation: Despite not being physically present, Californians and other Americans watching the livestream are acknowledged and celebrated for their support and involvement.
• 🤝 Solidarity: The speech emphasizes the unity among Asian Americans in standing together for their rights and making their voices heard.
• 🚫 Breaking Stereotypes: Krista Liu challenges the model minority stereotype of Asian Americans being hardworking yet apathetic to politics, highlighting their active engagement in the political sphere.
• 🔊 Historical Moment: The event is described as an important and historical moment for Asian Americans, marking a shift in their political participation.
• 🎓 SCA 5 Battle: The speech recalls the fight against SCA 5 in 2014, which aimed to reintroduce racial considerations in university admissions in California, showing the community's ability to mobilize against discriminatory policies.
• 💪 Empowerment: The victory over SCA 5 is highlighted as an example of Asian Americans breaking their silence and becoming loud and obnoxious to protect their interests.
• 🗣️ Voice and Rights: The importance of voicing out for equal education rights and against divisive policies is emphasized.
• 🌐 National Unity: The speech calls for unity among all Americans, urging Harvard to stop creating divisions and to uphold the social fabric of the nation.
• 🏆 Achievement and Discrimination: Despite their achievements and hard work, Asian American children are deemed lacking in positive personalities by institutions like Harvard, which is criticized in the speech.
• 🌈 American Dreams: The final message is one of asserting American dreams and the right to be loud and obnoxious in the pursuit of justice and equality.

Q & A

Who is Krista Liu and what organization is she affiliated with?

Krista Liu is the president of a grassroots organization called the Silicon Valley Chinese Association Foundation.

What is the significance of the event where Krista Liu is speaking?

The event appears to be a gathering or rally where Asian Americans are making their voices heard on important issues, such as equal education rights and challenging stereotypes.

What was SCA 5 and why was it controversial?

SCA 5, or State Constitutional Amendment Number 5, was a bill in California that aimed to amend the state constitution to re-establish the consideration of race, skin color, and ethnicity in public university admissions. It was controversial because it was seen as a racially discriminatory agenda targeting Asian-American students.

How did Asian Americans respond to SCA 5?

Asian Americans fought against SCA 5 by demonstrating, protesting, gathering petitions, and lobbying legislators. Their activism led to the defeat of the bill.

What change has occurred in the Asian-American community's political engagement according to Krista Liu?

According to Krista Liu, Asian Americans have moved from being notoriously apathetic to politics to becoming loud and obnoxious, meaning they are now more actively engaged and vocal about their concerns.

What does Krista Liu suggest is the new characteristic of Asian Americans?

Krista Liu suggests that the new characteristic of Asian Americans is being hard-working and loud and obnoxious, indicating a shift from their previous apathy and silence in political matters.

What advice does Krista Liu give to Asian Americans regarding their behavior?

Krista Liu encourages Asian Americans to continue being loud and obnoxious in their advocacy, as it has proven effective in making their voices heard and challenging unjust policies.

What is the significance of the term 'model minority' in this context?

The term 'model minority' is used to describe the stereotype of Asian Americans as hard-working, law-abiding, and high-achieving, but also passive and uninvolved in politics. Krista Liu challenges this stereotype by advocating for more active political engagement.

How does Krista Liu relate the fight against SCA 5 to the current situation?

Krista Liu relates the fight against SCA 5 to the current situation by drawing parallels between the activism and vocal opposition to policies that she perceives as unjust, such as those she believes are being implemented by Harvard.

What is the main message Krista Liu wants to convey to Harvard?

Krista Liu wants to convey to Harvard that all children deserve equal education rights and that the institution should stop putting a wedge between various groups and tearing up the social fabric of the nation.

What is the role of the Silicon Valley Chinese Association Foundation in this context?

The Silicon Valley Chinese Association Foundation played a key role in the fight against SCA 5 and continues to be involved in advocating for equal rights and opportunities for Asian Americans, as well as challenging stereotypes and unjust policies.