Youth Speaks Stop AAPI Hate Forum (April 2021)

This past spring (2021), Youth Speaks Damien held two forums to educate and discuss with attendees the serious and pertinent issue of AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Hate.

Senior leaders Mia Ogata, Grace Buckman and Zoe Hamada introduced different lenses, including forms of discrimination that we sometimes overlook in Hawaii like the concept of the “model minority” and “cultural appropriation/exploitation.” Guest attendees for the second event included Keith Amemiya, Rep. Linda Ichiyama and even garnered interests from Senior Youth Senators from other high schools. The discussion during the forum was positive, but like any serious issue will require much more conversation. Youth Speaks Damien hopes to hold forums about relevant and timely topics like AAPI Hate in the future and hope that the Damien community can join us in educating and speaking out about these issue.

For more details on the information presented you can head to STOP AAPI HATE.