Commitment to diversity

Growing up in a multicultural college town, I believe diversity is fundamental to life. Journalism, in its purpose to inspire and tell stories to humanity, is not complete without addressing and representing the full range of lived experiences in a community.

In The Name of Uplifting Others

Starting journalism in sixth grade was a fortunate opportunity for me to cover stories through my cultural perspective. Seven years later, I have seen and witnessed firsthand the importance of not only having a diverse range of topics to write about, but a diverse range of journalists in the newsroom. AAJA JCamp, Chapel Hill Magazine, Chapelboro.com, and my school newspaper taught me that. Even in high school-level journalism, I began to observe hints of systemic patterns—how easy it was for students to take the “easy route” and interview people they were already familiar with, to choose topics that appeal to majority, or to avoid complex issues which they may have the privilege to live without. Since the beginning of journalism career six years ago, I have made it a point to use my voice to uplift others. 

Promoting Lunar New Year

For example, when anti-Asian hate crimes were rampant during the pandemic, I petitioned for my school district to recognize Lunar New Year as a holiday. Our movement grew, uniting people across cultures, identities, and socioeconomic classes. After a year of working together and amassing feedback and perspectives from community members through hosting in-person/online forums and surveys, we presented our movement through proposals to Board of Education members, emails for more support, and speeches. I remember people I’ve never met in-person but saw their names and heard their voices online filling up every seat in Town Hall to hear the gavel sound for the Board of Education’s unanimous approval–and we become the first district in NC to succeed. In order to make this a reality, I used the connections I made in my experience as a local journalist. Afterwards, to spread the joy of making this a reality and explaining what the social and cultural significance of this is to my hometown community, I wrote a column for the East Chapel Hill Observer (ECHO), the student newspaper of my then-high school. This story was published online and in print. I was also interviewed by local journalists, including those from the Chinese community by the Chinese Headline News, and CW22.

Getting Into Social Issues Actions

On top of that, diversity isn’t just a requirement in the workplace or for DEI fulfillment. It’s a propelling force that is inextricably linked with a reason to grow and succeed. Beyond just interviewing people who look different from me or have different stories than mine, my commitment to diversity means using my work as a medium to participate in social issues and change ways of living.

Read more in Diversity.