Standing in Solidarity, Resilience With the AAPI Community
As Rob Bonta sits in his office, he reflects on a picture that hangs as a reminder of resilience: a Stockton hotel lobby from 1920 with a sign that reads, “Positively No Filipinos Allowed.” Throughout the history of California, many people, including Bonta, have personally felt the sting of hate and intolerance.
Today, as California’s first Filipino American attorney general, Bonta has a clear message for the Asian American Pacific Islander community: “I value you, I see you, I am you.”
As keynote speaker of Southern California Edison’s annual AAPI Heritage Month celebration, Bonta shares that one of his first priorities as attorney general is to ensure that those targeted by the forces of hate are protected and those who are responsible are held accountable.
The theme of the celebration, “Solidarity & Resilience: Honoring our History, Forging a Future Together,” is echoed in the personal stories and words of encouragement from guest speakers. Event emcee, Tamlyn Tomita, actress from “The Joy Luck Club,” “The Karate Kid Part II” and “Cobra Kai,” guided viewers through musical performances and award recipients.
Susan Jin Davis, former chief sustainability officer of Comcast NBCUniversal, shared her personal guideposts, which align with resilience and solidarity.
“We need to speak up. We need to use our voices,” said Davis. “The stakes are higher than ever. The AAPI community is under attack. Some of us are dying or being assaulted or being otherwise negatively implicated because of who we are. We need to learn how to advocate for ourselves to speak up against what is wrong and to be there for all of our members.”
This event is an important opportunity to recognize our solidarity with and the resiliency of the AAPI community. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made immense contributions to art, food, culture, literature, science, education and so many other aspects of society. We are better together when we embrace diversity, equity and inclusion, which is why it is a priority at Edison. We will also continue to show solidarity with the AAPI community and speak out against anti-Asian hate and violence”
Pedro J. Pizarro, President and CEO of Edison International
The celebration honored CNT Properties (Global Partnership, LLC) for its achievements in clean energy; Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON) received an award for community partnership; and IW Group, Inc. received an award for its work as a diverse business enterprise.
“This event is an important opportunity to recognize our solidarity with and the resiliency of the AAPI community. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made immense contributions to art, food, culture, literature, science, education and so many other aspects of society. We are better together when we embrace diversity, equity and inclusion, which is why it is a priority at Edison” said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International. “We will also continue to show solidarity with the AAPI community and speak out against anti-Asian hate and violence.”
Additionally, over the past few months, Edison’s API Business Resource Group, ASCEND, partnered with local nonprofit, Asian Youth Center (AYC), to help inspire career paths by building a library of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) career introduction videos for AYC’s students to browse and learn from. ASCEND believes the videos can be utilized to encourage the next generation of STEAM leaders and help to build visibility for the AAPI community in critical professions and in society.
Attorney General Bonta thanked the diverse communities who have stood up in solidarity with the AAPI community and encouraged leaders to continue to speak up.
“An injustice against one is an injustice against all. We are all in this together, unified, allied and in solidarity. All communities deserve to be seen, to be valued and to be protected.”
Click here to view the recorded event.
