At this week's Round Table, Emmanuel, Hannah, Heba, and Inyoo delve into the realm of civil rights, advocacy and the power of community action with remarkable guest, Elizabeth (Liz) OuYang, a seasoned civil rights attorney whose dedication spans an impressive 37 years. Liz is a force in combating hate crimes, advocating against police brutality, championing immigrant rights, and advocating for voting rights, media accountability, and workplace integration. Her extensive expertise isn’t just confined to the courtroom; Liz shares her wisdom as an educator at both Columbia University and New York University.
Appointed by President Clinton, Liz served as a special assistant to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 2000. Her commitment to fostering change shines through her roles as the founder and supervisor of OCA-NY's Hate Crimes Prevention Art Project, now celebrating its 17th successful year. Additionally, she spearheads the APA VOICE Redistricting Task Force, a pivotal coalition driving Asian American representation in New York State. Our conversation proved to be deeply insightful. We dove into the case of Private Danny Chen, a story that resonates with the essence of justice and community solidarity. Liz led an impassioned campaign for justice following Chen's tragic death, which was fueled by racial maltreatment and hazing in Afghanistan.
Throughout our discussion, we explored the vital role of community activism in such cases, emphasizing why such narrative matters, especially to our youth. Liz enlightened us on the significance of advocacy, highlighting the potency of art and storytelling as instruments for change. We were inspired, informed, and engaged as we navigated the world of civil rights with the incredible Liz OuYang. Thank you for listening!
