AAMUnite’s John Berbano on Building Responsible Asian American Voters

By: Lou Maningas Cabalona

 

Time Magazine’s May 2013 issue features a twenty-something lady sitting on her stomach, one arm propping her upper body up, the other is raised up as she tries to take a selfie with her smartphone. The cover story reads “The ME ME ME generation” referring to Millennials further described in the coverlines as, and I quote, “lazy, entitled narcissists who still live with their parents”.

As I kind of expected, after the click-baitish bashing and a meticulous exposition of the causes of their bad behavior, the article written by Jean Twenge, lauds millennials, people born in the early 1980s to around 2000, for being more accepting of differences — not just among gays, women and minorities but in everyone.

Born in an era where technology enables individuals to compete with against huge organizations (think, bloggers vs. newspapers or YouTube directors vs studios), they challenge convention and find new and better ways of doing things. They also, according to the author, are earnest and optimistic.

I have many friends who are considered Millennials and the latter seems to more fittingly describe the many Filipino American and Asian American friends who I have gotten to know through my involvement in the community.

Case in point, I recently caught up with Helena and John Berbano who, respectively, are the Founder and Content Manager of Asian American Millenials Unite, an organization that aims to engage young Asian Americans in the voting process. Here’s a quick Q&A with John on what the good folks of AAMUnite are up to…

Both you and Helena, founders of AAMUnite, and your sister are both immersed in civic engagement. What started both of your political activism?

Our political activism started during the 2008 Presidential Election of Barack Obama. Helena, who was in high school at the time, followed the election closely, and was a big supporter of his campaign. She would often explain why voting and civic engagement is important. Her enthusiasm and vigor rubbed off on me!

Seems like there is a growing number of organizations that focus on engaging more Asian Americans in the political process. With the tight Presidential race coming up, campaigns and other civic groups alike are trying to get every voter they can to the polls. Asian Americans make up a small number of voters comparatively to other minority groups; however, our votes could easily sway an election – especially in a close race. Asian Americans are not the targeted demographic as we do not turn out to vote as well as other groups. These organizations want to see this change – we are engaged and we do care!

For Asian Americans, it seems like we don’t associate effecting change in our environment as a result of being civically engaged. What do you think contributes to this perception?

I think the answer to this is really complex – but part of it stems from socialized stereotypes, particularly, the model minority myth. We (Asian Americans) are “expected” to be the movers and shakers in STEM and business – not in politics. As a result of this perpetuated myth, AAPIs naturally don’t see themselves as civic agents.

Your focus is on millennials. What can citizens aged 18 to 35 bring to the table?

Millennials represent a new generation of voters coming to this election. In general, we have a different perspective when it comes to many issues. We are more accepting on social issues such as gay marriage and transgender rights. From our recent experiences in higher education, we want to see a better financial situation to pay for the rising costs of college tuition. We understand that conflicts are not just black and white anymore – there are gray areas. Millennials just have a different view of the world and we want to see that represented with our government officials.

The AAMUnite team are all across the USA. How did you find each other? How do you collaborate despite distance?

We networked! The executive team started with family and friends. From there, we contacted our Asian and Civic Engagement connections to spread the word about us, put job ads on the internet, and from there we got applications from across the nation. We mostly collaborate through web calls and from there we work as a team to complete assignments and other tasks. We’re in constant contact, and are very intentional in fostering a fun, yet collaborative environment.

Is the group endorsing Asian American candidates?

We definitely support Asian Americans being candidates for elected office, however, we are not endorsing any specific candidate. We are a non-partisan initiative.

The electoral process is a maze.

Yes, it is!

How do you encourage and help potential voters navigate the voting process?

We post important voting information on our social media channels. For instance, we posted deadlines for voter registration, dates for primaries, and nonpartisan tools to use before going to the voting booth. We’ll have some blog posts coming up with more detailed information, once the election is closer. We know some states require different documents when voting, so we’ll try to blanket the process.

Any advice to new voters?

I would say definitely read up on the candidates and the issues from nonpartisan sources, and also to remember that other offices are on the ballot besides the President, and for some states important ballot measures are up for a vote. We recommend looking at candidate/voter guides from your local League of Women Voters, or other local nonprofit that focuses on voting and civics.

Are there plans of also reaching out to voters in person? What other campaigns are in-store as the November elections grows near?

Our team is coming up with a few things that you should be seeing soon. One campaign that you’ll definitely be seeing is our “Pledge to Vote” campaign in which we’ll have people sign up saying that they’ll vote on November 4th.

How can interested individuals participate in AAMUnite efforts?

Interested individuals can participate in AAMUnite efforts on several levels. On one level, they can share and like our content across their social media channels and/or be a part of our social media campaigns. One of our main goals is to help share the civic voices of Asian American Millennials, so spreading the word is key. On another level, they can contribute to our content, by sharing their civic engagement stories to our staff, or by writing for us. Interested folks can reach us by e-mailing info@aamunite.org!

I agree with Twenge. Millennials could be a great force for positive change.

John Berbano at a Trump rally in posing by a signs that says “Trump would NOT hire me because I’m a U.S. born citizen.”

Siblings John and Helena Berbano of attends fellow AAMUnite staff, Abbey Golfo’s graduation at the State University of New York.

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS: Yours truly was honored to be invited to give the introductory remarks at the Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia Jr’s final meeting with the Filipino American community last June 14 before he concludes his term as Ambassador. Top Picture: FYLPRO Alumni from Chicago were nearly all in attendance (clockwise from top left) Lakhi Siap (2015), Jan Paul Ferrer (2014), Consul General Gene Calonge, Abbey Eusebio (2014), Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia, Jr and Louella Cabalona (2015).

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS: Piyesta Pinoy 2016 in Bolingbrook was a smashing success with a record 7000 attendees. Backstage, members of SamaSama Project hung out with Filipino celebrity Xian Lim. From left to right, Baron Cabalona, Gerry Lomotan, Xian Lim, Louella Cabalona, John Kniker, Ran Sevilla and Bobot Ong.