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Why Politics? - Because Meaningful Change Starts with Participation
Though the United States has registered marginally higher voter turnouts in the years since, the issue remains that as passionate as many Americans are, particularly the 18 - 24 age group, we struggle to physically find our way to the polls. It is an issue that is particularly important to me, as an Indian-American who has seen the positive effects of having more voices heard in my parents’ home country.
Why Politics? - Because traditional political structures exclude women of color
I continue to do this work to pave the way for young AAPI people who are going through the same formative political experiences that I did. Even if I am the only person who looks like me in a given space, I am inspired every day by the ways my community is growing into its power even in the face of incredible barriers and pain.
Why Politics? - We need more people in politics who put our country first
Like so many other servant leaders, I’ve spent my life at the grass roots and the front lines, and that commitment to serving others has given me an invaluable perspective on the nature of our public challenges and how change happens at the community level. But I’ve also seen the connection between grassroots change and government policies, and know that we need more people in politics who are driven by a desire to serve others, solve problems, and put the needs of the country above the needs of their own ego.
Why Answering the Call? It challenged me to face my insecurities.
The inner work I did at Answering the Call forced me to examine the source of my cynicism and to scrutinize the reasons why I felt that my perspective was unimportant. In the end, it took NPLA staff members Brendon Mills and Max Klau—two white men—to push me to see how the limits of what I assumed was possible, were actually products of my own internalized white supremacy. The seeds of racism and misogyny had rooted themselves in me and convinced me that I was undeserving. Max and Brendon challenged me to stop making excuses and to lean into the capable, powerful woman that I’ve always known I am.
CNN: Forget the post-election blues: Here's how to make what you do next matter.
"While the election is behind us, the work continues. Democracy is a daily journey," said Emily Cherniack, the founder of New Politics, an organization that works to revitalize American democracy by recruiting, developing and electing servant leaders who put community and country over self.
Use this moment to carve out space for reflection so that your next actions reflect your own deepest values, she recommended. "The more clear you are about who you are and your personal mission, the easier the next steps are," Cherniack said.