Actress Tamlyn Tomita Meets with Activists to Discuss the Role of Arts in Advocacy
Actress Tamlyn Tomita Meets with Activists to Discuss the Role of Arts in Advocacy
Vocal Artist Maria Aragon Makes a Cameo
May 9, 2011
Contact: Alvina Yeh, Communications Director // alvina@americasopportuityfund.com
Washington, D.C. – Last Thursday, actress Tamlyn Tomita (of Joy Luck Club and Karate Kid II fame) met with a packed room of community leaders and activists to talk about her work as a fellow activist in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Speaking for two hours, Tomita spoke about the issues she was passionate about, her role models, how to engage celebrities in political advocacy, and minority representation in the media.
An activist for over 20 years, Tomita commented on the role she plays, “I’m basically a storyteller that uses my star presence to amplify our issues like healthcare, immigration, access to education, and LGBT rights.
Sergeant Shiro Tomita inspired Tomita at a young age about the values and dedication of community service. Tomita spoke eloquently of her late father who was a Los Angeles Police Sergeant in helping bridge understanding between communities and fighting for those who were taken advantage of. In addition, Tomita cited Congresswoman Judy Chu as one of her inspirations, “Judy Chu was my Asian American Women’s Studies Professor at UCLA. She and Dr. Bob Nakamura - who is another strong advocate for Asian American issues - he was my Asian American Film Studies professor at UCLA. Those two opened my eyes to what it meant to be apart of the community and giving back”.
As an artist who is a woman of color, Tomita also spoke of sacrifices she made in her career in order to choose non-stereotypical roles and roles that showed the broader spectrum of being AAPI.
For those feeling drained in advocacy work, Tomita advises, “There is no way you’re going to be useful to any of the people you serve and try to help and advocate for unless you take care of yourself. It’s as simple as love yourself.”
Also joining the discussion was Youtube star, 10-year-old Maria Aragon. Aragon, a young spokesperson for LGBT equality, spoke on why she chose to sing the Lady Gaga song “Born this Way”, which received 32 million views online. “We shouldn’t let ourselves down because of our differences and that’s why I chose [to sing] this song.”
Online participant Craig Grilley remarked, “I thought it was an engaging discussion with Tamlyn…Her passion and dedication to giving back to her community was revealed in ways and detail rarely seen in the typical celebrity interview”.
“Tamlyn Tomita's amazing career in film and television, and accomplishments as a political advocate, should serve as a model and inspiration for activists of every ethnicity,” said DC participant John Maa. “What most impressed me were the passion and humility that she displayed.”
Finally Tomita challenges our community to be active, “Ask questions, be noisy, go out there”.
To view a recording of the event, please visit our website.
For photos of our event, please visit this flickr page.
For video of Maria Aragon, please visit her youtube channel.
