Broadcasts.com - "Dismantling the Model Minority Myth and Fostering Safer Communities, One Conversation at a Time" (Community Signal)

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Dismantling the Model Minority Myth and Fostering Safer Communities, One Conversation at a Time

Published: June 28, 2021, 9:30 a.m.

For this episode of Community Signal, we\u2019re joined by community professionals\xa0Jenn Hudnet,\xa0Lana Lee, and\xa0Phoebe Venkat. They candidly share stories about the impact of racism and stereotypes against Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders in their own lives, in the workplace, and in the communities they manage.

Jenn, Lana, and Phoebe each had stories to share about their families, the circumstances that brought them to the United States, the racism and discrimination they faced, and the shared generational trauma they\u2019re working through together. \u201cWe have to look forward. We\u2019ve got to acknowledge some of the wrongs that happened to our parents, relatives, and friends in the past. It\u2019s very difficult to do. We\u2019re doing it, but it definitely takes a community of community to get that done,\u201d shared Phoebe (7:47).

There\u2019s also a discussion around the work that companies and colleagues must do to maintain safe workplaces and communities. \u201cYour intention might not always be to hurt or harm someone or to make fun of someone, but the impact is still there. Being able to understand the impact that our words and actions have on others is important [as well as] being able to acknowledge the impact that it might have on somebody. I think microaggressions are something that I\u2019ve even had to learn to recognize because I\u2019ve just internalized them and accepted them over the years of being here,\u201d said Jenn (21:12).

And there\u2019s an important reminder in this episode to see your colleagues and community members as individuals. Individuals that might have a bad day, that might make mistakes, or that might be comforted just by your presence. \u201cSometimes we hear stories of people. [Maybe] they posted a really good picture one day and then the next day they\u2019re feeling down. \u2026 As a community manager, [it\u2019s really important to] take time to read and understand where people are coming from,\u201d explains Lana (49:46).

We\u2019re thankful to Jenn, Lana, and Phoebe for sharing with us. May this conversation lead to safer communities, neighborhoods, workplaces, and personal boundaries.

Lana, Jenn, Patrick, and Phoebe also discuss:

The model minority myth and the harm it causes
Recognizing emotional labor and setting boundaries
There are no growth hacks when it comes to helping your community members feel safe

Our Podcast is Made Possible By\u2026

If you enjoy our show, please know that it\u2019s only possible with the generous support of our sponsor:\xa0Vanilla, a one-stop shop for online community.

Big Quotes

Moving forward through generational trauma (8:03): \u201cIt\u2019s interesting for us as the children because it\u2019s very painful to come to terms with [the trauma that] our parents have experienced and even to help them understand. There\u2019s so much that they\u2019ve just accepted as part of life, racism, and pain that they just endure because they are so strong based on the past that they\u2019ve endured. Part of that is also embracing that pain and helping them to embrace it and moving forward with them.\u201d \u2013@jenntothechen

The ripple effects of the model minority myth (12:51):\xa0\u201cIf we\u2019re treated better because we\u2019re Asians or Pacific Islanders, we\u2019re seen as the \u2018teacher\u2019s pet.\u2019 Of course, it does definitely have advantages, but do you want advantages that come at the expense of other people\u2019s suffering?\u201d\xa0-@pheebkat

Your presence can mean a lot to someone going through difficult times (14:26):\xa0\u201cIt\u2019s important for people to know that [you\u2019re there for them], even though they may not need you at the time. You give someone a gift of presence, just being around them, knowing that someone\u2019s there to support them.\u201d \u2013@lanalyzer314

Breaking the model minority myth (18:06):\xa0\u201cWith the model minority myth, a lot of us have just been taught to embrace that culture of silence, of not rocking the boat or causing any conflict. I think one thing that I\u2019ve come to terms with is that it is okay to speak up. Obviously, to do it in a respectful way, to be mindful of a different perspective, but to not be afraid to speak up when you notice something that bothers you, when you notice underrepresentation of a certain culture, and to embrace that. Being able to do that actually really empowers you as a person and also builds community as you bring more light to different issues that people might not be considering.\u201d \u2013@jenntothechen

Think of the impact of your actions, not just your intentions (21:13):\xa0\u201cYour intention might not always be to hurt or harm someone or to make fun of someone, but the impact is still there. Being able to understand the impact that our words and actions have on others is important [as well as] being able to acknowledge the impact that it might have on somebody.\u201d \u2013@jenntothechen

Recognizing the emotion labor that we carry (28:18):\xa0\u201cThe [definition of emotional labor that] I\u2019ve adopted is the labor [that\u2019s] not on your job description. You get hired to be a community manager or accountant or whatever you are, and then you end up taking care of the community around you, your colleagues, making sure they\u2019re okay, [and] volunteering at affinity group events.\u201d \u2013@pheebkat

Prioritizing ourselves matters just as much as prioritizing our communities (32:16): \u201cI struggle with where I want to take on more and do more and constantly think about what my community members need, but I know that if I don\u2019t take care of myself first, I\u2019m not going to be able to do that.\u201d \u2013@lanalyzer314

To build a safe community, start small (44:58):\xa0\u201cWhen you\u2019re building online communities, sometimes it\u2019s harder to get to the heart of others. You\u2019re building a community at scale, you\u2019re trying to make sure that things can work for many, but in terms of making sure people feel safe \u2013 feel heard \u2013 some of that work does need to be one-to-one or with a small group.\u201d \u2013@pheebkat

\xa0 About Our Guests

Jenn Hudnet\xa0is a community manager at\xa0Salesforce. Jenn has joined us on Community Signal twice in the past,\xa0once in 2018\xa0and\xa0once in 2017. She has previously held roles at Lithium Technologies, Google, Procore Technologies, and Intuit.

Lana Lee\xa0is a senior community manager and strategist at\xa0Zuora. She graduated from UC Berkeley in civil engineering and then went to USC, where she got a music degree in oboe performance and Masters in civil engineering. After 15 years as a civil and structural engineer and a career as a web developer, Lana transitioned to community management. Lana was also our guest for\xa0the most listened to episode of Community Signal in 2018. Visit her blog,\xa0Tales of a Community Manager\xa0or her\xa0Netflixionados, Primers and Hulu-ites meetup group\xa0for more from Lana.

Phoebe Venkat\xa0is a director of community for\xa0TripActions. She has more than 10 years of experience in community strategy and building. Her expertise also includes communications, marketing, leadership, and operations in several industries.\xa0Phoebe\u2019s greatest inspiration is her mother, Hanna, who taught her the value of connection and belonging.