The fight against invisibility and marginalization is ongoing, and it is a fight that many of us in the Asian Pacific diaspora know all too well. We must constantly prove our worth, our talent and our value in a world that sometimes refuses to see us. We must fight for our visibility and validation, even as we strive to create a better future for ourselves and our communities.
But moments like this give us hope. Moments like this remind us that we are not alone and that there are people who see us and value us for who we are. Moments like this inspire us to continue the fight, pushing for more representation and opportunities for ourselves and future generations.
As the Empire State Building glimmered in gold, I felt a sense of pride and joy that was hard to put into words. For a brief moment, we were the stars, the heroes, the icons of the city we call home. And even though those moments have passed, the memory of them will stay with me forever. They will serve as a reminder that we are powerful, we are radiant, we are collaborative and we are golden. And nothing can take that away from us.
