Civic Leadership Forum Silicon Valley brings the community together to affirm the message “All of Us Belong Right Here”
On Sept. 3rd, Silicon Valley Community Media and Ding Ding TV launched the music video “All of Us Belong Right Here” as a part of the Civic Leadership Forum Silicon Valley. The music video is a collaborative community effort. Over 60 people participated in the making of the video, and 20 elected officials made an appearance. Joel Wong (the chair of National Asian Americans United) composed the lyrics and music. Ding Ding TV produced the video.
“All of Us Belong Right Here” is the first music video to promote diversity and the “Stop the Hate” campaign in Silicon Valley. Almost 70 people attended Civic Leadership Forum Silicon Valley at Ding Ding TV studio.
“All of Us Belong Here” affirms the message – each wave of immigrants into the U. S. brought something unique with them and contributed to the greatness of our country.
A panel followed the launch. It included:
• Lisa Gillmor (Mayor of Santa Clara)
• Lily Mei (Mayor of Fremont)
• Ken Fong (Founder and Chairman of Kenson Ventures)
• Jay Chen (President of the Board of Trustees for Mt. San Antonio Community College, Lieutenant Commander US Navy).
Joel Wong (the President of National Asia American PAC) asked each participant about the spike in Anti-Asian hate crimes and what they plan to do about it.
Lisa Gillmor (Mayor of Santa Clara and Candidate for Re-election) spoke about hateful rhetoric that started at the beginning of the pandemic and the rising number of Anti-Asian hate crimes targeting individuals and businesses. Mayor Gillmor called it a health crisis and a human rights crisis. She stated: “By working together in our city and standing in solidarity with our Asian American and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters, we can work to create a more just and compassionate society. This music video is the perfect bridge to connect all of us and remind us that we all belong here.”
Lily Mei (Mayor of Fremont and Candidate for Senate) stressed the importance of not just talking about Anti-Asian hate crimes but the need to take action. We cannot be a bystander but an upstander. She stated: “The only way to make a change is to be a part of it. You can’t make a change in something you are not involved in.”
Jeff Lee (the President of Wah Ying Club) spoke about his family’s personal experience with Anti-Asian hate crimes. His daughter was a victim of an attack when she was seven and again at 40 during the pandemic. Jeff Lee stressed the need to work together with other communities: “We need to bring back a healthy community of economic and social relations.”
Ken Fong (Founder and Chairman of Kenson Ventures) spoke of the guilt he feels as a businessman who used to think he didn’t have the time to get involved. But if we do not get involved, we become the problem and not the solution.
Jay Chen (President of the Board of Trustees for Mt. San Antonio Community College, Lieutenant Commander US Navy) spoke about Anti-Asian hate and how it is nothing new. He said: “This is a great country because of its diversity. The minute we start to make the strength of our country feel unwelcomed, our country will start to suffer.”
The music video is a result of a collective community effort to share the message “All of Us Belong Right Here.”
Over 60 people participated in the making of the video, with 23 elected officials making an appearance.
Joel Wong (the chair of National Asian Americans United) composed the lyrics and music. Silicon Valley Community Media and Ding Ding TV produced the video. “All of Us Belong Right Here” is the first music video to promote the “Stop the Hate” campaign and diversity in Silicon Valley.
Why does the “All of Us Belong Right Here” message matter?
America is a country of immigrants but is currently facing numerous challenges. The ascendance of China brings into question its preeminence as the world’s leader. Instead of utilizing our main asset – diversity – many are choosing to ignore the fact Asian and Chinese Americans contributed to the economic and technological advancement of the United States. Likewise, the Covid-19 pandemic saw a rapid spread of misinformation and fear. For over two years, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders suffered physical and verbal attacks, causing them to feel unsafe and unwelcome in public spaces. AAPI businesses were also targeted. According to Stop AAPI Hate, as of August 2021, more than 9,000 anti-Asian incidents had been reported since the beginning of the pandemic.
“All of Us Belong Right Here” affirms the message – each wave of immigrants into our country, whether voluntary or otherwise, brought something unique and contributed to the greatness of this country. “America’s great ‘cause we’re diverse We hailed from all corners of our universe! So let’s stay united and be of good cheer, All of us belong right here!”
Producers: Ken Fong Joel Wong
Director & Publisher: Diana Ding
Composer & Lyrics: Joel Wong
Co-Producers: Herbert Chiu, Sandy Wang, Willis Lin
Singers: Joel Wong, Diana Ding, Herbert Chiu, Sandy Wang, Music Land School of Music Children’s Choir
Video & Audio: Willis Lin
Audio Tech: Glen Hsia
Choreographer & Instructor: Michelle Ahl Christine Ling Special
Thanks to: Ken Fong, Weimin Yuan, Maeley Tom
“All of Us Belong Right Here” Cast:
Michelle Ahl, Rick Ahl, Bruce Benson, Suvarna Bhopale, Sunil Bhopale, Rihana Canio, Dan Chao, Liang Chao, Sandy Chau, Theresa Cheng, Herbert Chiu, Selena Chu, Sandy Close, Tereasa Cox, Diana Ding, Courtney Ellington, Jose Esteves, Lisa Gillmor, Sophia Golomb, Juliette Gomez, Joe Hamilton, Kathi Hamilton, Ann Hsu, Jane Huang, Athena Jazmine, Ombalino Corbin, Johnson, Chappie Jones, Cheng L Liao, Otto Lee, Stella Lee, Aubri Lee, Cathy Liao, Qing Lin, Christine Ling, SK Lo, Francine Ly, Orrin Mahoney, Carolyn Mahoney, Lily Mei, Carmen Montano, Katarine Niu, Vaidehi Raghavan, Yang Shao, Sierra Shee, Nabanita Shee, Chandan Shee, Sunny Shen, Tony Spitaleri, Nicole Tecci, Wesley Thompson, Crystal Thompson, Maeley Tom, Ana Vargas-Smith, Jeff Wang, Vincent Wang, Sky Wang, Sandy Wang, Hung Wei, Joel Wong, Eunice Yeung, Gloria Young, Aiwa Zelinsky, Yan Zhao, Winnie Zhao,
Community Partners:
Kenson Ventures
National Asian Americans United
California State Library
Music Land School of Music
Jane Huang Dance Academy
American Chinese Youth Performing Art Foundation
Ethnic Media Service
Civic Leadership USA
Studio One
OneVetOneVote American
Teochow Foundation
Cupertino Rotary Club
Asian American Unity Coalition
Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce
Ding Ding TV and Civic Leadership USA created Civic Leadership Forum in 2016 to provide a platform for the next generation of the AAPI community and empower them to participate in civic engagement and leadership. Likewise, the forums aim to create a national network of AAPI civic-minded organizations and have them and their leaders work in unity.
So far, over 2000 elected officials, community leaders, students, and parents have participated in the events. The forum’s content reached over 200.000 people in Silicon Valley Bay Area and the United States.
This Civic Leadership Forum was supported in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
Learn more at http://www.dingdingtv.com or capiaa.ca.gov/stop-the-hate
“The Stop The Hate campaign is made possible with funding from the California State Library (CSL) in partnership with the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA). The views expressed on this website and other materials produced by Ding Ding TV (SVI Channel) do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the CSL, CAPIAA, or the California government. Learn more at (www.dingdingtv.com/stopthehate) or capiaa.ca.gov/stop-the-hate”
Pictures from Facebook: