Progressive Politics and the AAPI Movement

Guest Post by Helen Gym


Philadelphia City Councilmember Helen Gym marches for LGBT Pride at the Democratic National Convention.
The biggest political event of the year -- the Democratic National Convention -- just wrapped up in my home city of Philadelphia, and I wanted to offer some reflections on what a moment we're in as a nation and as an Asian American movement.

Last year I ran for citywide office in Philadelphia -- a major leap for someone who not only felt far more at home in grassroots mobilizing but as someone who often felt politics had limited impact when communities were so deeply marginalized and often under siege. We were always too busy mobilizing, developing and getting out our messages, and clarifying policy priorities.

But after two decades of doing this work, our communities were ready for change and poised to lead the charge. Organizations had matured, no longer newcomers to the political scene. Asian Americans United, my political home, had just marked 30 years of organizing in low-income and new immigrant communities. New leadership revitalized our networks; and community-led independent media meant we could tell our stories faster, more creatively and just as loudly as in the mainstream.

Most importantly, the issues that drove us -- mass incarceration and deportation, the dismantling of our public schools, gentrification, rising poverty, and anti-immigrant and racial injustices -- pulled us together with diverse communities in building broad-based justice coalitions which were moving faster than our politics -- putting us on the front lines of solutions, and not just of protests.

This is the movement that I came out of, and it's a movement that swept me into office as Philadelphia's first Asian American Democrat and first Asian American woman on City Council.

But it's also an example of our times as our communities -- and our politics -- continue to evolve.

Helen Gym elected to Philadelphia City Council

Helen Gym is the first Asian American woman elected to office in Philadelphia.



The votes are in! Now it's official. On Tuesday in Philadelphia, public schools activist (and friend to this blog) Helen Gym won the general election for City Council At-Large, after kicking some serious ass at the polls.

Kenney and Gym change the education conversation

With over 142,000 votes, Gym was the leading vote-getter among Council at-large candidates. She is the first Asian American woman and the first Asian American Democrat ever elected to office in Philadelphia.

Gym rode to the Council on the strength of her education activism, building a grassroots campaign and raising more in small dollar contributions in the primary than any other candidate, including the mayor's race.

In her election night statement, Gym thanked community supporters and reiterated her commitment to public education, stressing that "Our work has only just begun."

Helen Gym wins in Philadelphia at-large City Council race

Education activist unseats incumbents in Democratic primary for at-large council seats.



Some big upsets out of Philadelphia's primary elections this week, as two City Council incumbents lost Democratic nominations for "at-large" seats to three relative newcomers -- including school activist Helen Gym.

Some New Faces Win Democratic Nominations For Phila. City Council

Incumbents Ed Neilson and Wilson Goode Jr. were ousted by Helen Gym, real estate investor Alan Domb, and attorney Derek Green in the Democratic battle for City Council at-large seats.

Helen, a vocal public education proponent (and longtime friend and supporter to this blog), was among the top five Democratic vote-getters in the race for a citywide council seat, narrowly beating her nearest competitor, Isaiah Thomas, who came in sixth by about 1,100 votes.

White House to honor Cesar E. Chavez "Champions of Change"

Recognition honors ten community leaders who embody the spirit of Cesar E. Chavez’ legacy

On Monday, March 31, in celebration of Cesar Chavez Day, the White House will recognize ten individuals as "Champions of Change" -- community leaders who embody the spirit of Cesar E. Chavez's legacy, representing "the values and steadfast determination of Cesar Chavez to organize ourselves for a more just tomorrow."

The Cesar E. Chavez Champions of Change include some pretty awesome folks doing amazing work, inspirational work, including Khin Mai Aung, Director of the Educational Equity Program at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and Helen Gym, Board Member of Asian Americans United (and former Angry Reader of the Week). Congratulations!

Here's the full list of this year's Cesar E. Chavez "Champions of Change":

angry reader of the week: helen gym

It's time, once again, to meet another 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 community organizer Helen Gym.