For some Philadelphia residents, fighting injustice is a daily routine.
Last night, before a group of 15 students seated in comfy couches and chairs at the Greenfield Intercultural Center, local Asian Americans spoke about dedicating their lives to remedying social injustices in their community.
The panel of speakers stressed the importance of grassroots-level activism that is so often overshadowed by powerful leaders who they said seem to be the only ones with the ability to make changes.
Helen Gym, a board member of Asian Americans United, said, "It is a fatal mistake that people define leadership through power and position. Leadership isn't a title - a lot of it is who is dedicated to helping move a cause."
While the panelists focused their efforts on diverse issues, they all emphasized the importance of being passionate about their work.
For example, Phorllie Tsen, a member of the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia, said, "The best part is, I love what I do. Not many people can wake up in the morning and say that they want to go to work."
Aleyamma Mathew, who works with the Taxi Drivers Alliance of Pennsylvania - a driver-led, multiracial organization representing 5,000 drivers in the area - said her passion for social activism began when she saw the abuses her father faced as an immigrant factory worker.
Mathew's most recent success with the Taxi Driver's Alliance was a 50-cent raise in cab fares for the first time in 14 years.
When questioned about her work fighting injustice, she said, "I think people have this manic idea about this kind of work, but it's something you believe in and that you carry through your entire life."
Engineering senior Emily Chang, who attended the event, admitted, "I've probably grown up really sheltered; I've never really encountered any racism. . This was interesting to hear because they told stories about what shaped their background that I've never really experienced."
Following the discussion, Valerie De Cruz, director of the Greenfield Intercultural Centre commented on the success of the event and expressed the need for more events such as this one to raise student awareness of contemporary social problems that must be remedied.
Inspired by the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the Greenfield Intercultural Center has hosted a slew of events this month focusing on social activism.
"It's important to bring his history alive," De Cruz said.
