OPAWL + AAPI Feminism

OPAWL Member Chau-Sa Dang with her little sister in VISIBLE CENSUS 2020

I’ve been grateful to be invited to several writing groups as of late, meeting so many intriguing, insightful storytellers who are willing to be vulnerable and open. I didn’t know quite what to expect when a colleague, the wonderful Gloria Ware of JumpStart, suggested that I connect with a circle of feminist writers and activists from OPAWL – Ohio Progressive Asian Women’s Leadership. Was I an “activist” or an “advocate”? Was I a “writer” or more of a “storyteller” sharing my lived experience? I always thought of myself as more of a “humanist” than a “feminist” – so many identities to unpack! Heading into the weekly OPAWL Writer’s Circle with an open mind, I was about to find out. Quietly wondering, would I feel like “the other” here, too? 

“As a state-wide grassroots community organizing Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and non binary people for social justice and collective power, OPAWL came on my radar through Instagram. Actually, through a wonton dish post…yum!”

Intrigued by the #IWillEatWithYou photos of spicy pho, Korean beef, and lots of white rice takeout encouraging support of local Asian restaurants struggling through the pandemic economy, OPAWL’s urgency, conviction, and innovative state-wide organizing was immersive and impactful. I was immediately drawn to their brand vision and momentum – from mobilizing multicultural voter registration and Census 2020 outreach to virtual panel discussions and open mic events discussing Asian-American experiences during Covid-19.

Their goal? To elevate political consciousness, the voices, visibility, and leadership of progressive Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) womxn and non-binary people in Ohio, building a strong intersectional feminist community, with the purpose of building power and a progressive ecosystem for Ohio AAPIs. 

“OPAWL has become a political home for so many people, a space to learn, grow, and work together. Moving forward, we will continue to put our love and care for one another at the center of our work.” - @teamOPAWL

I was (and have always been) seeking a tribe where I felt optimistic connection, a sense of purpose-driven urgency, and creative energy. Community and solidarity that felt compassionate, authentic, and awakened. Since launching my OBG writing adventure and IRL experiment, I didn’t know what to expect after beginning it. It was the first time when I didn’t place an outcome on something that I created, and the first time where a spark of an idea would open doors to re-imagine the future in so many unexpected, delightful ways. It was also the most unfiltered glimpse into my personal life, political beliefs, and human journey as it continued to unfold at this tipping point for so many of us. One of my teachers once told me to write as if there was no one else in the room. Putting OBG out in the world felt different. The “internet” was now in the room 24/7/365. I knew that more people outside of my beloved family and friend circle might be seeing it or sharing it.

“What did I have to say or share?I had so much to learn, and I am grateful that OPAWL welcomed me.

Teaching me so much, expanding my world by introducing me to Other Brown Girls like me and different from me.”

OPAWL Leader + Dear World Podcast Co-Host: Balpreet Kaur

“Maybe it was when we lit candles during a moment of sacred silence to honor our ancestors who came before us – all feeling a collective unspoken, energetic pull of the Universe magnetically drawing us together and inward.”

OPAWL Leaders: Mi Row, Lisa Factora-Borchers, Jona Hilario, Tessa Xuan, Reiya Bhat

“Maybe it was seeing Other Brown Girl faces, their childhood photos popping up on my laptop screen as the evening speaker lineup was introduced. I felt like I had ‘come home’ – looking at baby and first communion photos resembling my own from my first-generation childhood.”

Or maybe it was seeing all of the “unusual” names and one-of-a-kind spellings that left me unsure how to pronounce, define, or describe them or their beautiful heritages. (Which felt kind of like me, just like me, I thought…) I looked at the corners of the Zoom screen type blocks and paused. I had been intentionally seeking opportunities to be in rooms (even if that meant Zooms as of late) where I would be asked to introduce myself to new people with new ideas. Who had no idea who I was, who I had been, or who I might become. I was seeking new experiences outside of my routine to intentionally test-drive innovative ways of showing up and sharing “my story” as I was re-writing it in real time. My hope? To feel alive and to be around other people who were feeling alive, too. Living their life in purpose and on purpose. Who felt a calling to share the stories that were not being told – starting with their own.

“Meeting organizers, activists, and leaders from Guam, Vietnam, China, India, Pakistan and the Philippines, I was inspired by their hunger, energy and idea-sharing. Most of all? By their everyday idealism in action.”

OPAWL Writing Circle + Zine Leader: Fariha Tayyab

I could feel and see pure kindness, openness, goodness, and goodwill in action. In words – both written and spoken. Shining through their empathy, compassion, conviction, and depth. It was clear that everyone – EVERYONE! – I met at OPAWL believed in something bigger than themselves. They believed in helping others and making change. It was refreshing and revitalizing to see young and seasoned activists collaborating and creating with zest. Just doing it. Designing the thing, launching the Zine, starting the podcast, sharing the poem, stating their beliefs, questioning what mattered most. But mostly, thinking of others.

With so many Diversity + Inclusion organizations, initiatives, and conferences, there still seems to be a gap in the social impact and advocacy movement to expand to other nuanced minority groups. OBG was born because I wanted to design a digital storytelling space and cross-cultural creative home that reflected a modern, engaging approach using tech and user-generated content through multi-platform outreach, brand-building, and community-building.

OPAWL Leaders: Isabella Guinigundo + Reiya Bhat

“I see an opportunity to bring even more dimensionally diverse voices and multicultural visibility featuring Other Brown Girl representation from first and second generation leaders.”

“In the workforce, workplace, marketplace, and digital space.

I am so grateful to say, I found my OBG tribe in OPAWL.”

Inspired by OPAWL’s visionary leadership team – Co-Directors Tessa Xuan, Jona Hilario, returning original Co-Founder Kelly Hill from Tennessee, and OPAWL Writer Circle leader Fariha Tayyab – I discovered that OPAWL, like OBG, was born in response to the 2016 election. With its Columbus chapter launched in early 2016, Cleveland chapter in 2018, and Cincinnati chapter in 2019 soon following, OPAWL has had its most transformative growth through the pandemic. With their soon-to-launch website, Dear World podcast, Value Our Families immigration campaign, and upcoming 'Pandemic Stories' ZINE, 2021 looks brighter, bolder, and bigger than ever. For more ways to support, volunteer, and join OPAWL, visit them on Facebook and Instagram.

“4 years ago, OPAWL did not yet exist. As a community, we have created something that was not there, and that’s worth celebrating…

…the past 4 years, a multi-racial, multi-gendered, and multi-generational movement marched, organized, and voted our way to victory.” - @teamOPAWL

“We commit to spending the next four years...to the progressive movement…and will continue to organize AAPIs across Ohio for justice and liberation.” - @teamOPAWL