Each May, during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I reflect on my family’s journey to this country — and the path that brought me to public service.
My grandparents were refugees of the Korean War. My mother came to Georgia in the 1980s seeking the American Dream — not riches, but dignity. A chance to raise her children in a country where freedom was promised and opportunity was possible. She worked multiple jobs and faced hardship with quiet strength. She taught me that even when the odds are stacked against you, you do not give up. You serve.
Her struggle and the life she built for our family made my story possible, becoming the first Asian American Democrat elected to the Georgia General Assembly. That story is not mine alone. It belongs to all those who believe in America’s enduring promise: No matter where you come from, you count. You matter. You belong.
But the truth is, America’s promise is in peril.
We are now more than 100 days into Donald Trump’s second term. Already, we see sweeping executive actions threatening the rights and freedoms of millions of Americans. Immigrant families are once again living in fear. Birthright citizenship — a cornerstone of American identity — is under attack. The federal government has revived policies that racially profile Asian Americans under the false veil of national security. Humanitarian protections are being rescinded. Diversity, equity and inclusion programs are being dismantled.
These are not just political developments. They are moral crises.
They test who we are and what we stand for not just as Democrats or Republicans, not just as immigrants or descendants of immigrants, but as Americans.
I cannot stay silent as someone who owes everything to this country’s belief in freedom, equality and justice. And I know I am not alone.
Across Georgia and the nation, I meet people who refuse to give in to despair — parents standing up for their children’s futures, students organizing for their communities, voters determined to make their voices heard even when systems try to silence them.
To all those who feel disillusioned, angry or afraid, I want you to know you are not powerless.
Democracy has always depended on ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It is not perfect. It never has been. But it is ours to defend, repair and reimagine.
Here in Georgia, we’ve seen what is possible. When people come together across race, background and belief, we have changed the course of this country. We can do it again.
We must.
This AAPI Heritage Month, I don’t just celebrate where we’ve come from. I recommit to the work of democracy — the daily, courageous act of building a future where every American is seen, valued and free.
I do this work not out of anger or fear, but out of faith — in my neighbors, our Constitution, and the conscience of a people who still believe in the idea of America.
The threats we face are real. The road ahead may get harder before it gets better. But I remain hopeful, because hope is not the absence of struggle. It is the belief that together, we can build something better.
So let us rise to meet this moment with clarity, courage and love.
By the power of the vote, we can hold the line.
By the power of the vote, we can heal this country.
By the power of the vote, we can preserve the dream for those who come next.
That is the work of democracy. And it is the work of our time.
Illustration at top by the SPLC.