APIDC Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California

The Diversity Leadership Institute Salutes May as Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month

Written by Mazuri Colley, CFILC’s I&A Advocate

The History:

The month of May has been officially recognized as a month of celebration for the many communities represented within the Asian and Pacific American communities for almost twenty years. This month was chosen to honor the time of year that the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the U.S. as well as the many Chinese laborers who completed work on the transcontinental railroad in May of 1843 and 1869 respectively. This year’s theme for Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month is "DIVERSITY, LEADERSHIP, EMPOWERMENT AND BEYOND! It’s a theme that celebrates where the Asian and Pacific American community is today while leaving room to envision the future.

The Spotlight: Shannon Coe

It is rare that someone can come along whose life work and experiences embody the true meaning of the words in the theme for this month, but Shannon Coe comes close. Recently Shannon, a new CFILC staff member and a part of the AT Network team, had a chance to talk with DLI about her life, her work in the disability community, her goals for the future and what Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month means to her.

Tell us a bit about your background.: I was born in Vietnam and am of Chinese-Vietnamese decent. I got polio as a young child and in 1982 my family was able to escape Vietnam to a refugee camp and later to the United States. Here in the U.S. I grew up mostly in Los Angeles, specifically East LA. I attended UC Berkeley for my BA in mass communications then went to work in Los Angeles for awhile. I later joined the Peace Corps and worked in Paraguay for two years as an urban youth development worker for at-risk youth and people with disabilities. My specific project was the Special Olympics. I later returned back to school at the Monterey Institute for International Studies and received my Master’s degree in Public Administration and International Management.
You have traveled around the world and worked in many different capacities. What experiences can you share with us that have most shaped the person you are today?: Being born in another country I had a very different experience growing up before coming to America. There is a very different value system in Asian communities regarding people with disabilities; we are not seen to have the same value as other people. If I did not have my parents, I may have been left behind in Vietnam with other people with disabilities who did not get help to escape. If I hadn’t been here, I would not have the opportunities to have medical care and education that I have had today. I love doing disability work because in other countries there are not things like the ADA or protections for people with disabilities, and I can be a part of changing that. People do not have basic rights and medical care and are often not seen as contributors to society. Sometimes disability is seen as a sin that people are paying for, so there are physical barriers as well as cultural barriers. Knowing those differences exist has shaped me.
What is one lifetime goal you have already accomplished and what is one you are currently working on?: Going to the Peace Corps was something I accomplished. I always wanted to work in developing countries and make a meaningful impact. It was very challenging because of a lack of access in the community that I lived in, also with language and cultural differences. I was able to overcome these issues. I learned how to navigate many physical and cultural barriers, and because of that I was able to work doing a lot of advocacy and was even able to meet the president of Paraguay and speak about disability awareness. I was able to help youth with disabilities find jobs and expand their opportunities.; There is a video of me on YouTube being interviewed about disability awareness and physical barriers in Paraguay. Check out the video link here (the interview is in Spanish).; I have always done a lot of international work with the disability community, and my current goal is to build my expertise in the disability rights community here in the United States, but also find a way to bridge my experience abroad and here at home.
Have you had any mentors or role models that have inspired you along the way? If so who are they and how have they impacted your life?: My father who passed away when I was 12 encouraged me to work hard in school. He instilled in me the importance of education. I never really had any mentors or role models that were people with disabilities. I didn’t learn about influential people with disabilities until I went to college at UC Berkeley. So my family and father had a huge influence on who I am. When my parents first arrived here they did not know any English. It was hard for them to find work in this country, but they did. Because of my experience I have taken many opportunities to mentor youth with disabilities because I know that it is important to have a role model who is like you.
The theme for this year’s Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month is DIVERSITY, LEADERSHIP, EMPOWERMENT AND BEYOND! What does that mean to you?: It is really rare that I see an Asian American with disabilities in the crowd. I think culturally disability is not seen as something to be proud of in Asian communities, so it is rare to see them at events. I think the theme means reaching out to all people with disabilities, and it is critical because all backgrounds need to be represented. We will have a true reflection of different experiences and it will be an empowering experience for everyone. When everyone is involved it shapes us as a community, and it is very important to expand. When we have all the opinions and experiences that can empower the community, then everyone can understand the pride of being part of the disability community.

Return to default view

The Diversity Leadership Institute Salutes May as Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month

The History:

The Spotlight: Shannon Coe

Resources:

News

Funding provided By