“Should we create a statement for Diverging Magazine?” a friend texted me shortly after the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of police. At the time, I was relatively new to my role as an editor at Diverging Magazine, an online publication affiliated with the Progressive Asian American Christian (PAAC) community.
Initially, I was confused by the sudden request. Then it hit me. “Oh, for BLM? I can check in,” I replied.
“Exactly. With everything happening.”
I had a moment of realization — I was the Living Justice editor.
“Yes, indeed! That’s why I’m reaching out to you.”
I had to laugh at my “aha moment,” which felt rather embarrassing. The Living Justice section was meant to showcase the advocacy work done by PAAC members, analyzing the personal and theological foundations driving their efforts. Wasn’t Black Lives Matter fundamentally about justice? And yet, in a crucial moment, I had forgotten.
Recognizing Our Power
We often underestimate our own influence. Acknowledging our power can feel uncomfortable, especially for women. Who wants to come across as self-important or boastful about their authority and connections? Yet, many of us overlook our capacity to make a difference or, worse, shy away from utilizing it.
Here’s a gentle reminder: Embrace your power—not just in personal spaces, but also in professional, community, spiritual, and civic engagements.
My friend’s reminder of my role at Diverging Magazine, along with my work at Mochi Magazine and as a freelance writer for various outlets, made me realize: these titles are more than resume fillers. They represent my influence. How can I leverage it for good?
Using My Influence to Address Erasure
One of the most meaningful ways I channel my influence is in combating erasure—the act of rendering certain voices and histories, particularly those that challenge the status quo, invisible. As a writer and editor, I have access to platforms that allow me to amplify underrepresented voices.
Sometimes, this means writing from my own intersectional identities as an Asian American woman. It involves engaging with my fellow editors at Diverging Magazine to discuss our response to George Floyd’s death and the Black Lives Matter movement. It’s about collaborating with writers to draft letters of solidarity and creating resources for Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA) to get involved.
Being part of a team led by my friend Alex Chen, we developed a toolkit for influencers to educate their audiences. It’s about the choices I make as an entertainment editor regarding which films, shows, and artists to highlight. I pay attention to the experts I quote, especially ensuring to include diverse names and customs that reflect a broader narrative. I strive to normalize parenting stories that include POC and non-heteronormative families—not just during discussions of diversity.
I actively integrate facts highlighting disparities into everyday articles about childcare and healthcare. I promote and credit POC creatives and leaders while recommending diverse writers to editors and brand partners, regardless of whether they ask.
As a content creator, I address systemic racism and misogyny in my podcasts and K-pop reaction videos, exploring the complexities of problematic favorites and anti-Blackness within fandoms.
A Simple Call to Action
I share these examples not to boast or to shame others but to illustrate that even in everyday writing tasks, I can combat erasure by choosing who and what I highlight.
These actions may seem mundane and unremarkable, yet they represent the spheres where I hold power. I am thankful for the trust my friends place in me to share their stories. In my small way, I aim to ensure that underrepresented voices are heard more clearly.
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Search Queries:
- How to use privilege to combat injustice
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- How can I support BLM as an ally?
- The role of media in fighting systemic injustice
Summary:
In this article, Jamie Lin discusses how she utilizes her editorial power to combat erasure and amplify underrepresented voices. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing one’s influence and actively engaging in advocacy, particularly in the context of social justice movements like Black Lives Matter. By sharing her own experiences and actions, Lin encourages others to embrace their power to effect change.