“Should we create a statement for Diverging Magazine?” my friend texted me shortly after the tragic incident involving George Floyd. At that time, I was a relatively new editor at Diverging Magazine, an online platform associated with the Progressive Asian American Christian (PAAC) community.
Initially, I found myself pondering the context behind the message. Then it clicked. “Oh, for BLM? I can ask,” I responded.
“Exactly. With everything happening right now.”
“Hmmmm… just remembered I’m the Living Justice editor.”
“Yes, you are! That’s why I’m reaching out to you.”
In that moment, I felt a bit embarrassed for my oversight. The Living Justice section was created to showcase the justice initiatives within the PAAC community — to delve into the personal and theological foundations of their efforts. What better embodiment of justice exists than the Black Lives Matter movement?
Despite BLM being central to my editorial focus — especially as many Asian Americans, including myself, stand in solidarity — I had momentarily overlooked it during a crucial time.
Recognizing Your Power
We often underestimate our own influence and capabilities. Acknowledging this can feel uncomfortable, especially for women. It’s easy to shy away from being perceived as self-important or overly confident about our authority, connections, and reach.
However, it’s important to recognize that we possess more power than we realize. Sometimes, we may know we have influence, yet fear losing it, or we might not feel compelled to leverage it. Regardless of the reasons, it’s essential to embrace our power across personal, professional, community, religious, and civic spaces.
My friend reminded me of my role as Living Justice editor at Diverging Magazine. I also serve as the entertainment editor for Mochi Magazine and freelance for various other publications. These roles carry significance; they provide me with a platform to wield my influence. The pressing question is: how will I use that power?
Combating Erasure and Injustice
One of the most intentional ways I wield my influence is by fighting against erasure — the act of rendering certain groups, particularly marginalized voices, invisible. As a writer and editor, I have access to platforms that can amplify the narratives of those who are often overlooked.
This may involve writing articles from my personal perspective as an Asian American woman. It may also include engaging my fellow editors at Diverging Magazine in discussions about George Floyd’s death, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the subsequent protests.
I collaborate with a devoted team to draft letters of solidarity and create resources for Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA) who wish to take action but feel uncertain about where to begin. I participate in initiatives led by friends, like creating a free toolkit for influencers to educate their followers.
As an entertainment editor, I consciously select which films, shows, and artists to spotlight. I strive to include diverse voices and perspectives, ensuring that the experts and parents I quote reflect a range of identities, particularly those that challenge the norm of whiteness.
I make it a point to feature POC and non-traditional families not only in articles focused on diversity but across all topics. I highlight disparities and injustices even within seemingly unrelated subjects like childcare and healthcare, demonstrating how our intersecting identities shape every aspect of our lives.
I actively promote and source ideas from POC and underrepresented creatives, ensuring their contributions receive due credit. When asked for recommendations, I prioritize POC writers and influencers, even when it’s not explicitly requested.
In my role as a YouTuber, I take the opportunity to discuss systemic racism, misogyny, and oppression in my podcasts and K-pop reaction videos. I aim to address these issues within fandoms, exploring the complexities of problematic favorites and the impacts of anti-Blackness within the K-pop industry.
Is This Just a Subtle Brag?
I share these examples not to boast or to imply that I am more enlightened than others, but to illustrate that even in mundane tasks — like discussing skincare or using tea tree oil — I can challenge erasure by showcasing diverse voices.
These actions may not seem grand or dramatic; they are often quiet and unremarkable. Nevertheless, they represent the spaces where I hold influence, and I am committed to using my privilege to amplify underrepresented narratives. I am grateful to my friends who entrust me with their stories, and I hope to honor that trust by representing the marginalized more authentically.
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Summary
In this article, Emma Lee discusses how she utilizes her platform and privilege to combat the erasure of marginalized voices. By engaging in conversations about social justice, promoting diverse narratives, and amplifying underrepresented groups, she demonstrates the power of influence in addressing systemic injustices, even in everyday writing tasks.
Keyphrase: Using Power to Combat Erasure
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