Welcome to The Other Perspectives Podcast.

In this series we center the First Generation Perspective(s) expressed by artists, each with a unique lived experience and connection to America, the Vietnam War and Cambodian Genocide. Join us in bearing witness to the human experience of war, refuge, and healing explored through the lens of arts, culture, and policy. Made for First Generations everywhere and the legislators, policy makers, and city staff that hold the power to shape our lived realities. Hosted by Ellina Yin.

For the best listening experience start at the beginning and listen in order ☺️…

Part 1 of the Series: Sets up the context and circumstances that were given to the First Generation of Cambodian and Vietnamese Americans and their Parents and Caregivers as the foundations with which to build a new life. In my journey of civic participation, I quickly learned that what many like to joke as policy wonkery, I say policy wizardry. The policies and laws we write and put into action have real life consequences that are felt through generations, such as the impacts of trauma, healing, and the lack of resources available to immigrant communities. Most importantly, though it points back at the foundations of local government as the place with which we can make change and write new stories.

Part 2 of the Series: Illustrates how laws and policies govern our lived realities and what is being reclaimed at the moment from the damages and challenges of cultural and language assimilation. Centering the tenacity of the First Generation to pursue art and storytelling as a means to explore what losing our language meant: a severed connection not only to our culture but in many cases our parents/caregivers and our very identity of who we are.

This series is partially funded by the Santa Clara County Division of Equity and Social Justice (DESJ) through a Community Engagement Mini-Grant Program to address the rise of Anti-Asian Hate Crimes.

Music: Blue Wind Blow by Blue Dot Sessions