Meet Amanda Nguyen: NowThis Next Honoree

Amanda Nguyen talks exclusively to NowThis about the importance of inclusivity and representation.

Credit: Amanda Nguyen
Credit: Amanda Nguyen

Throughout history, there have always been trailblazers and creatives from every generation who have led the world to the precipice of historical change through grassroots organization, self-expression, reclamation, and so much more. Youth have always been the leaders of our movements toward change, and here at NowThis, we give megaphones to the change-makers of the world.

Amanda Nguyen is among the 2021 class of NowThis honorees in the category of racial justice. Read Nguyen's interview below.

What do you think is the biggest issue or challenge we face when it comes to racial justice right now?

It's so important that we focus on education and ensure that people understand where the roots of xenophobia and discrimination come from, and where ignorance can and should be stopped. AAPI hate in this country, for example, goes back to the 1800s. People often don’t understand how long it's been around and just how deep-rooted it is in our society. It's only when we start to teach that can we make any progress: the first step to healing is acknowledging that there’s a problem.

On top of that, representation matters. I am often the only person of color in the room. Our voices cannot be heard if we are not in the room to begin with.


 

What are the biggest things that people need to unlearn right now?

People need to get out of the mindset that racism and xenophobia are a thing of the past. It's not. There are structural, systematic exclusions happening in front of our very eyes, and just because it's not blatant doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I have often said that the violence and discrimination we face stems from invisibility and apathy. People must be willing to recognize the inequities and problems in our society, to examine their unconscious biases, and to understand that they might be perpetuating these inequities.

How do you balance self-care with activism?

This line of work can be really hard. We're dealing day in and day out with heavy topics and it can get very mentally and emotionally draining. Activists need to be happy and healthy in order to be effective.

That's why it's so important to take time for self-care. I created something I call the "Menu of Self-Care," which I can choose options from each day to take part in. This can range from little, quick things; like doing a face mask or texting a friend; to things that are more time-consuming, like planet-hunting. I studied astrophysics in college, and it really helps to look at the stars with my telescope and be reminded to take a breath. I make sure I pick a couple things from the menu to do each day.

 

Who are some people that you’ve historically looked up to in this space?

Russell Jeung, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and a professor of Asian American studies at San Francisco State University. He has spent his life working to educate others on AAPI history and culture, as well as to bring awareness to the racism and hate the community has faced, particularly in the past year.


 

What's one resource you'd recommend (i.e. a book, Instagram page, etc.) for those who want to educate themselves on racial justice, and not put the burden on BIPOC folks to educate them?

Follow my friend, Liz Kleinrock. She's an anti-bias anti-racist educator. You can follow her on IG at @teachandtransform.