Photo: Liu Zhen Huang in action.
17-year-old Liu Zhen Huang began volunteering with Asian Americans for Equality, a civil rights group, shortly after immigrating from China to the States with her family. We spoke with this leader about her advocacy work, reasons for wanting to get involved and thoughts on how we can all participate in Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this year.
What made you want to get involved with Asian Americans for Equality? Can you tell us a bit more about this organization?
It was my friend who introduced me to Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) last summer. It was not until my involvement with Asian Americans for Equality that I learned about the importance of service, but also the injustices Asian Americans are facing. Like many organizations in New York City, AAFE is a nonprofit organization with a mission to empower Asian Americans and others in need. They provide immigrant assistance and social service. AAFE fights for affordable housings and more job opportunities for those in need in order to better our communities.
How can other teens get involved with Asian Americans for Equality?
There are many ways teens can get involved with Asian Americans for Equality. I got involved through a program called Teen Action. Teen Action is funded by New York City’s Department of Youth & Community Development that welcomes high school students from around the city to promote and implement meaningful service projects to help our community under the aids of our mentors.
We read that you help to educate students on the importance of staying in school. What made you want to address this issue?
My brother dropped out of high school when he was seventeen.... His life made a 180 degree turn once he dropped out of school, he could only find a job in a restaurant because he refused to learn English.... At Asian Americans for Equality, I shared the story of my brother and my own personal experiences and struggles growing up in New York City with my peers.... In October of last year, I joined Service for School Success (SSS), a program ran by GenerationOn to combat high school dropouts. I learned that students drop out of high school because of a lack of student engagements. After that, I was granted with $120 to create a service project to promote student engagements. In December with 14 students from my school, we planted flower bulbs at Seward Park. I was able to share my personal story and facts about dropout rates in this country. I [continue to] encourage students to stay in school and pursue [higher] education.
May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage month. How are you celebrating? What do you think are some ways other teens of all ethnicities can help celebrate this month?
In celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage month, AAFE held the fourth annual Asian American Community Development Conference.... Over 300 leaders from community-based organizations joined together to analyze different concerns in immigrant communities. There was also the 32nd Asian American & Pacific Heritage Festival, where many different cultural groups preformed.... I believe that to not judge a race, to not speak of any stereotypes and to show respect to a culture are ways that teens of all ethnicities can help celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage month. I believe that every culture should be respected in the same way and not only just this month, but in the years to come.
MTV Act is all about getting young people to take action on social causes. If you could take one action to change the world, what would it be and why?
Through nonprofit organizations such as Asian Americans for Equality, I have learned that for every little action we take, no matter how small the impact may be, we are making a big change as a community.... I grew up in New York City’s Chinatown. Statistics have shown that rent in Chinatown is [comparable] to rent in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. It is funny how two different neighborhoods reveal two different stories at the same prices.... So if I were to take one action to change the world, it would have to be affordable housing and equality for all because of the bad conditions Chinese immigrants are living in, the high renting prices that they are paying and the injustices of expensive housing.
May is national Asian and Pacific American Heritage month. Find ways you can celebrate on MTV Act.
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Celebrate APAHM
Find ways you can celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage this month and every month.
