Interviewer: Siena Iwasaki Milbauer
Here at AAOP, we are so inspired by the incredible advocacy work of Asian American youth. We’re spotlighting their activism in an ongoing series of interviews with individual youth organizers. Today, we speak with Sylvia Jong Soon De Shazo. Sylvia is a member of AAOP’s Youth Action Team, and part of the Youth Ethnic Studies Coalition.
Please introduce yourself!
Sylvia: My name is Sylvia, [I use] she/her pronouns. I am in 11th grade and I live in Minneapolis.
Prior to being a part of the Youth Ethnic Studies Coalition, what was your experience with organizing and activism?
Sylvia: Before the Youth Ethnic Studies Coalition, I had very little experience with organizing. But during my three years in middle school, I was a part of the student council where I was working to make my school a better place for students. During summer 2020, when I joined the AAOP summer youth program, that is when I really started learning how to organize and how to take action at a higher level. I gained so much knowledge by being a part of [the AAOP program].
How did you get involved with the youth ethnic studies coalition? What motivated you to join?
Sylvia: Clara (AAOP’s Youth Program Manager) mentioned it during the summer and invited us to join. After I went to the first meeting, I got hooked on the idea of pushing for ethnic studies. Besides wanting to put my voice out there as a youth, the constant racism and misconceptions of [people’s] history, culture, and background was what motivated me to join. I started to understand that ethnic studies would help break barriers between individuals.
What has been the focus of the coalition’s work? What steps have you been taking?
Sylvia: Currently, our work is focused on educating people about what ethnic studies is and why it is important to youth. We are working on three key focus areas: leading workshops, organizing a toolkit, and our social media page.
Minneapolis Public Schools recently instituted a high school ethnic studies requirement, effective starting with the class of 2025. How do you feel about this win? What are your next steps after this victory?
Sylvia: I am thrilled about the passing of the ethnic studies policy in Minneapolis Public Schools. I am happy to know that my cousins will have the chance to take ethnic studies and learn about different cultures and the histories of individuals that live within their community in a deeper [way]. The next step should be trying to make ethnic studies a part of the social standards as its own [curriculum] strand.
How does your identity as a young Asian American affect your activism?
Sylvia: My identity as a Asian American youth affects my activism [because I have] a different viewpoint that others might not be able to see when it comes to issues.
What inspires and motivates you to be an activist?
Sylvia: Knowing that people are struggling everyday and knowing that I as an individual can do something to contribute to making things better within my community, that is the reason why I am an activist.
(Image credits: Sylvia Jong Soon De Shazo, @youth4ethnicstudies)
Learn more about the Youth Ethnic Studies Coalition!
Instagram: @youth4ethnicstudies
If you are a youth interested in learning more about ethnic studies, or in joining the coalition, send an email to youth4ethnicstudies@gmail.com or to AAOP staff member clara at clara@aaopmn.org
Sources:
Klecker, Mara, “Minneapolis adds ethnic studies to high school graduation requirements”, Star Tribune, 27 Nov 2020. https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-adds-ethnic-studies-to-high-school-graduation-requirements/573214041/. Accessed 12 Dec 2021.
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