This story was produced during ThreeSixty Journalism’s 2020 Digital Media Arts Camp, in partnership with the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota and Padilla. Health equity was the theme, with a focus on racism as a public health issue.
Nick Kor is an organizer and movement builder at the Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL). The organization is an advocate to make sure that Asian American voices are being heard and supported. This ties back to health equity, specifically racism because Asians are being targeted as the source of COVID-19.
However, this information can be very misleading and the many Asians that are attacked feel responsible and heartbroken. With the help of CAAL, Asian Americans and Asians can report any incidents where they feel discriminated against or physically attacked.
Health equity suggests everyone should have the same opportunity to a healthy life. For years, Asian Americans have been invisible to the real world because of their belief or cultural myths that prevent Asian Americans from speaking their voices.
Many in the Asian American community are in desperate need of access to doctors, housing, jobs, clean water, and education.
In my audio story, I highlight CAAL’s role in supporting Asian Americans around the nation.
The most challenging part of writing an audio story is editing and adding effects to my audio as a beginner, using Audacity and Otter. However, using audio as a medium brings a strong effect that enhances the speaker’s voice into hearing that they are really inspired and impacted by this topic.
A person’s voice is one of the most powerful assets that can influence and start a movement. In my audio story, I hope you can understand why Asian American stories are being untold, and how we as a society can help lift the narratives of Asian Americans.
As a female Hmong American, I have been told to responsibly uphold my duties of the household and become a doctor.
Part of me understands why this tradition is important to our ancestors and family, but the other part of me wants to break out of the traditional shell and speak out on behalf of who I am.
Working on this audio story changed my perspective of how thankful I am to be where I am now, and the unconditional support I get from people around me.
