Hey, folks. You know what's up. Once again, it's time to meet the Angry Reader of the Week, spotlighting you, the very special readers of this website. Over the years, I've been able to connect with a lot of cool folks, and this is a way of showing some appreciation and attention to the people who help make this blog what it is. This week's Angry Reader is Dora Quach.
Who are you?
I'm Dora. Chinese-Vietnamese American. The youngest daughter of refugees to whom I owe everything.
What are you?
A feminist, an activist. A history nerd and all sorts of other nerdy goodness. I'm a younger sister, a proud auntie. Parent to a rescued terrier mix named McFly. Vintage clothes enthusiast. Thrifty shopper.
Where are you?
At my desk at work, hidden behind a pile of in-kind donations to our shelter. (Thanks to fabulous donors!)
Where are you from?
SGV/626 born and raised! I'm really proud of my hometown and love showing people around. We're known for having the best Chinese food in the world, but we're so much more!
What do you do?
Professionally? I'm the Employment and Housing Resource Manager for the Center for the Pacific Asian Family. Our programs support survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault, especially our API survivors who encounter language or cultural barriers when they try to get help. My goals are to collect/build resources for our program participants. Many of these families will leave our shelter programs and enter the workforce or housing market for the first time on their own, and CPAF staff and volunteers do our best to support them. Many survivors have complicated immigration statuses as a result of isolation and abuse. It makes people uncomfortable when I ask if they're willing to hire/rent to/assist an undocumented family, but they need our help too. Their legal status should not prevent them from receiving compassionate care.
What are you all about?
Don't tease, but I do like exploring. New places, new foods, new activities. Thankfully the greater Los Angeles area provides endless opportunities to explore other communities, cultures, subcultures, music, and arts. I'm so lucky to have an inspiring group of friends and family who push me to be better, stronger, and more compassionate, so I'm all about them! Because we're all involved in different social causes, I learn so much more about the needs of my community.
My friends/family and partner are all so kind to put up with my silly ideas like wearing small hats to fancy parties, cross-stitching swear words, putting swear words on my manicure, or putting secret messages in desserts (sometimes those messages are swear words). This may be a good lead-up to the next question...
What makes you angry?
When you work at a crisis center, you're angry a lot. You're angry about rape culture, misogyny, lack of comprehensive immigration reform, systemic oppression, racism, lack of affordable housing, etc. It's infuriating to hear what our survivors have gone through and to know the barriers they face on their journey, even with our help. Street harassment also makes me really angry, and I will definitely call you out on it.
It also makes me angry when people tell me to calm down. Given the situations I see daily, I think I should be angry, and I will practice self-care when I'm ready. If I have hurt you or crossed a boundary in my anger, then yes, let me know so I can check myself. But we all should be angry! It's ok to be tired too. I know I am, compassion fatigue is real! Let's be angry/compassionate/forgiving/awesome together.
