Change We Need: This Inauguration to Me by NaFFAA Member, Dexter Ligot Gordon
Dexter Ligot-Gordon is a Past NaFFAA National Youth Chair. He is based in Region 8.
This past week has been for me a whirlwind of celebration, inspiration, and emotion. Filipinos for Obama (now named Kaya) gathered in Washington DC, to be a part of this historic moment–a pivot in the trajectory of our nation. Despite all the fanfare, the flurry of celebrity, and the behind the scenes politicking- one particular experience symbolized the gravity and the meaning of this inauguration to me.
On the Monday before the Inauguration, our Washington DC Chapter of Filipinos for Obama/Kaya responded to President Obama’s call to service and organized a project to make care packages for our Filipino World War II veterans, write letters to recent veterans, and to fundraise for USO in support of our nation’s current service-women and men.
I arrived at the OCA office where we hosted the service project. I was taken aback by what I saw. The entire building was full to the brim with tourists, locals, youth, elderly, community members, current service men and women—most of whom were not Filipino. While the organizers had only brought enough supplies to make 50 care packages, over 200 volunteers showed to give a part of their busy schedule to answer a call to service.
The DC Chapter provided a brief educational on the Filipino World War II Veterans issue, about the proud service that our manongs and manangs gave to the United States, and their unjust dismissal. For most, this was their first exposure to the Veterans Equity issue—they were astonished at this injustice, and pledged their support for our cause.
The volunteers were escorted upstairs, where they assembled the care packages for the Filipinos WWII veterans, and wrote letters to recent veterans. The atmosphere was marked by a solemn air. I looked at many faces, they poured such meaning and emotion into the few words of appreciation and gratitude in the letters they wrote.
For me, in one moment this symbolized the best of what our nation could be and how the Filipino community was a part of it. I was overwhelmed by this expression of common purpose, of collective action. Our experience as Filipino Americans– our story, was woven into a broader American narrative. It was an expression that we were all a part of this community, that we each were willing answer a call to come to another’s aid.
This was hope beyond the sound bite. This was an expression that no-matter what happens in the halls of Congress, we as citizens—as members of this community have a duty to care for each other. It was a complete expression of selflessness—an expression of gratitude to those whom have sacrificed for us.
The change our country needs didn’t necessarily happen at the White House. Rather, the change we need was inspired in the hearts of our citizens.
* NOTE: Filipinos For Obama has reformed as “Kaya–Filipino Americans for Progress.” Kaya will focus on electoral moilization, policy advocacy and leadership development. To learn more please visit www.filipinosforobama.org.