Perspective

I am tired of the lip service. Let’s do this.

Minneapolis received a lot of attention in 2020 for public safety. Some believe stronger law enforcement is needed to combat

How do we reimagine the work of reducing poverty, supporting mental health services, and dealing with trauma to minimize substance abuse and violence, in order to diminish the need for police to step in as an end to those consequences?

I asked and listened to what voters told me about their hopes — about better jobs, wages, healthcare, and education. I also heard their fears — of more taxes, immigrants, gun laws, and “defunding the police.”

People like myself need to find ways to bring immigrants with us and use our platforms to elevate their stories by handing them the mic.

As Land Stewardship Project has put it, it is not good enough to sustain our land, we need to bring it back to life — which strikes us as a potential mantra for this time. Regeneration is about making things healthier, year after year.

What we have now, from micro to human level, is a selective process
in which a small percentage thrives.
Moving to a regenerative mindset is about infusing life and activity into the whole.

Surveillance, AI, and the Future of Oppression

The policies support the idea that people are “looking out for each other — that it is not about believing that if ‘you’ get something it is taking away from ‘me.’”

You call me “Criminal,” as you cheat, assault, and rob the world blind. You call me “Shit-hole,” as you foul

We cannot silence ourselves with the comfortable belief that our society cares equally for all people.

A version of this essay originally appeared as part of the #MinneAsianStories series produced by the Council for Asian American Leaders.

This 100-year battle is now being waged on three fronts: the legislative branch, the judicial branch, and the upcoming elections.