Author Archives: Jaslene Lai

Wonderful Meeting with Gainsight

May 22, 2023 | Mei and I were honored to be invited to speak on the fireside chat/panel discussion at Gainsight’s weekly meeting for AAPI heritage month! We spoke online to around 200 employees from around the world. We spoke on our personal experiences with being an AAPI youth as well as the work AYR has been doing recently. I specifically talked about my experience of being an Asian adoptee and how being from another country influences my approach on things. While Mei talked about her experiences growing up as a AAPI women in Michigan and the struggles that comes with living in a predominantly white area. It was amazing being able to share our stories and give advice on how to start speaking up and advocating and making the workplace a more inclusive place. -Mimi Tuden

Mini Pill, Macro Problem

I had my first period when I was in 4th grade at only 10 years old. It was incredibly painful. Almost all the women in my family have had hysterectomies before menopause due to Uterine Fibroids, which are essentially dormant tumors that form in your uterus causing pressure, pain, bloating and other issues. In addition to this, almost all the women on both sides of my family have endometriosis, which makes periods much more painful. I lived with those symptoms for 6 days a month until 7th grade, when I was 13. My periods started to last for months at a time without stopping. My iron levels started to dip, and I was losing weight because I was constantly nauseous from the pain. So I went to the doctor, to see what could be done. They gave me prescription ibuprofen and left it at that. I went to another doctor, and they said this was normal. I went to another and they agreed with the prior doctor. Another one said there was nothing to do since I was so young. One more had the audacity and disrespect to say I was faking it to get birth control so I could be sexually active. I lost 15 lbs, fainted twice, and missed a week of school before one doctor finally gave me a prescription for progestin based birth control pills, called mini pills, that would help to regulate my period. It worked. Finally. My past situation demonstrates how incredibly difficult it is to obtain preventative birth control. The need for a prescription in so many places to obtain birth control, especially for minors, is a huge roadblock. Some people can’t afford doctors, others can go because of parents. Some people don’t have the time to go to the doctor, others have language barriers that make it difficult, and even more are just afraid of being judged or written off like I was. We need change in the medical field. Women and girls need more respect and trust when they seek treatment, and anything else in dangerous neglect.

Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act

May 14, 2023 | Shout out to US Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) in reintroducing legislation to promote the teaching of AANHPI history in schools. The Teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act would help increase awareness of the history, contributions and experiences of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States so that more students across the nation understand and appreciate the role Asians have played in America’s history. Specifically, the act would: require grant applications from Presidential and Congressional Academies to include AANHPI history as part of their American history and civics programs, encourage the inclusion of AANHPI history in national and state tests administered through the National Assessment of Education programs, and promote collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution’s Asian Pacific American Center to develop innovating programming regarding AANHPI history. Nearly 20 states have mandated the teaching of AANHPI curriculum in their schools. Asian American history is American history. Link to Teaching Asian Pacific American History Act

Hudson’s Trip to the White House

May 11, 2023 | When I got invited to the White House, I was super excited. The thrill of walking up the steps was amazing. Inside, there were portraits and pictures everywhere. We sat down in our seats, and I was really excited. For most of the time before the speeches, I was thinking about how amazing it was to be here. When President Biden showed up, I thought I was having a dream or something. I didn’t actually realize that the real President was standing 10 feet away from me. When the President addressed a message to the AYR group, I was really surprised. I knew it was a really special moment. During the screening, my thoughts went back to the President’s speech a lot. I knew what a big deal it was. When we were leaving, I was sad, but knew I had to leave. Even leaving, I was in awe that that really was the White House. I knew I was more ordinary than most of the people there, and that not a lot of people got to stay there for even that long. Sincerely, Hudson

Eloise’s Trip to the White House

May 10, 2023 | Going to the White House was amazing. Even the president spoke! We also watched a film about an immigrant family called American Born Chinese. I was born in America, but my grandparents (from both sides) were born in South Korea. When they moved to America it was really hard for them. They had to learn a new language entirely, they didn’t have money, they had one kid, and they had no friends. And here is my journal from the trip to the White House: Monday, May, 8th My favourite part of today was when we went to the White House, had the president, Joe Biden, talk about us, had a private tour of the Capital building, and getting canned boba (it was Thai tea, and the tea was good but not the boba part). At the White House, there were lots and lots of musicians, pictures of presidents, and security people. To be honest: I thought the White House would be bigger and more fancy. I was happy to see that most people on the show that we were watching and around me were mostly Asian American and kind of looked like me. In the Capitol building there were lots of colors on the walls, green, red, and a sort of peachisch color. We went on this train that not everyone goes on, and Hirono a Senator from Hawaii helped set it up. ( By the way there are 100 Senators, 2 from each state). I didn’t like the bug that was bugging me, Hudson and, Lucian before going to the security checks, and to the White House. I’m happy to join AAPI Youth Rising because they’re doing a really important thing for people. Asian hate is bad because everyone should be treated the same. Eloise, age 8