As a creative, I believe we are able to focus our intentions when we clearly lay out our priorities. Also, sharing what’s most important to us gives room for accountability. So I, Jamae, hold the following core values in both my work and daily life:
Social Justice
Every human should be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
As an Asian, able-bodied woman, I will never truly fathom the struggles my Black siblings, Indigenous siblings, disabled siblings, and LGBTQ+ / MOGAI siblings have faced in the past nor the hardships thrust upon them under the systems in place today.
I am in solidarity with BI&POC communities, the disabled community, and the LGBTQ+ / MOGAI community.
The ways I’m working to do better in community include:
- Learning
- from queer and trans, disabled, Black and Indigenous Women+ of Color educators, leaders, activists, and artists along with paying them for their labor. I started with Rachel Ricketts’s spiritual activism webinars, Angela Y. Davis’s Freedom is a Constant Struggle, and Nicole Cardoza’s work through the Anti-Racism Daily newsletter.
- Taking action
- by holding space for BI&POC.
- by contacting government officials. Emailing and writing to tell them marginalized populations need resources NOW, to demand defunding the police NOW.
- by speaking up to correct misinformation. I’m starting by having tough conversations with loved ones, talking about how we can combat white supremacy while decolonizing our mindsets.
- by supporting BI&POC-led organizations who serve BI&POC communities. I’m starting by donating at least 5% of my monthly earnings / gifts to grassroots organizations (including Don’t Shoot PDX) as funds are available and volunteering to write letters with Critical Resistance Portland‘s mail program.
I strive to do better.
Also, in light of the alarming rise of hate crimes against the Asian community, I want to state loud and clear:
- I do not condone violence against the Asian community or any other community. Hate crimes are wrong.
- I will not accept any excuse for this violence around me and in my spaces, physical or online.
- If I see it, I will interrupt it however I can.
- We have the power to stop the harm our community is causing others.
- We must unpack anti-Asian and xenophobic mindsets, which can lead to / has resulted in the loss of life.
(Note: Much appreciation to Dr. Kiona and CJ Goulding for sharing the language to express solidarity with the Asian community.)
I encourage everyone to take action. Denounce anti-Asian hate crimes and xenophobia; ask your communities to work in solidarity with the Asian community; circulate relevant news articles, petitions, and mutual aid efforts; intervene when you witness violence; and partner with local Asian American / Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander (AANHPI) organizations.
Equity + Intersectionality
Women’s rights are human rights. Our bodies, our choice.
LGBTQ+ / MOGAI rights are human rights. Love is love is love is love is love.
Immigrant rights are human rights. No human being is illegal.
Disabled people’s rights are human rights. Accessibility matters.
And voting is a right, not a privilege.
Humans are complex beings with complex needs, and I believe each individual has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of joy. When I work with the intersections among social causes, I am better able to support humanity. I’m starting by divesting from patriarchal mindsets, relearning the histories I carry as a third culture Filipinx while connecting how these manifest today, advocating for all human rights to be acknowledged and protected, and calling out inequitable practices.
I strive to do better.
Sustainability
Doing the work is possible when I reserve my energy for the issues that matter most to me. When I take care of myself, I can return to the community whole. Then when I can care for my community, they grow in strength so the group can help its individual members through mutual aid. And the cycle continues.
Sustainability through community care looks like checking on loved ones and colleagues while offering to meet a need when I have the resources; taking care of my physical environment and the living beings that cohabit these areas by switching out wasteful products for eco-conscious alternatives; practicing vegetarianism and minimalism; divesting from businesses with unethical, destructive practices; and working alongside grassroots environmental organizations.
My hope is to leave this world better than when I arrived so generations ahead can enjoy the earth, air, water, and ether they inherit.
We may not see the fruits of our labor in our lifetimes, but we can only move forward if we’re able to rest, revolutionize, repeat.
I strive to do better.
