Outside Cultural Event- We Can Make The Change

            I attended the event Civil Rights, Asian American, and Marriage Equality: 50 years after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 last Wednesday. I thought it would be just some boring talk that I had to go for a class assignment, however, I found out it was an interesting talk as I listen to Helen Zia’s stories. Helen Zia is an Asian American feminist and a LGBT activist; her talk was about issues that involve the civil rights, Asian Americans’ rights and equalities, and marriage equalities where Helen made them interesting and informative by relating her personal experiences to each topic in the way which she tells them as stories.

            The story that really stuck in my mind and got me thinking was when Helen talks about the case where a few Americans killed a Chinese American that was thought to be Japanese and were plead not guilty at the end. When the lawyers and the family members couldn't think of what else to do for the innocent Chinese American, Helen, a teenager at the time, spoke up and insisted that they must do something about it. This led to the National Civil Rights Movement for Asian Americans because the Civil Rights at the time didn't protect Asian Americans’ equal rights; the movement fought and got rights that protected immigrants, other race and classes; Helen’s courageous action created a society more just than the past. Through the story, she was telling us that we can make the changes that are better for our world; I learned from her that our actions now can create a better society for future generations.

Word Count: 269

The Only Memories

            It was a late afternoon where I got tired after an ordinary school day. The computer screen starts to dim after fifteen minutes of inactivity and I was about to fall asleep as I lean back on the computer chair. Suddenly, some images from my childhood pop up in my mind and woke me up. “Why do these images show up so suddenly?” I wondered. I saw my grandma and me eating snacks on a Saturday while my parents are at work because my mom didn't allow junk food back then. I saw my grandma sitting in her old rocking chair with her tan hand-held fan while watching me play jump rope in front of our house. These images were the days when we were still in China. Then I remembered that day was a few months after my grandma’s death; she passed away in China and my family was not able to go see her before she leaves because of work and school in the U.S.

            From that moment on, I realize how much I love and miss my grandma. She took care of me the day I was born because my parents had to work. My grandma cook for me, she clean after my messes, she watch my every move and action to make sure I was fine; but all I did to her at the time was ignore her words and dislike her annoyance and worries, which I later realize her actions showed her love and caring for me. When I finally realize I should have done something for her, but it was too late to do anything and all there was left between us were the memories from the past.

Word Count: 284

Point: Appreciate and treasure your love ones while they’re still with you because it will be too late to do anything when they're gone.