By Honorary Reporter Dayviana Diaz from Cuba
Photos = Brian Jon, Facebook pages of AAYC, Korea.net 

Brian Jon and 10 other leaders of the ethnic Korean community in New York were invited last month to meet Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook and Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Hwang Hee in New York. At the time, President Moon Jae-in was there attending the annual United Nations General Assembly. 

A business major in college, Jon, 19, is a young political activist and founder of the Asian American Youth Council. Here are excerpts from an interview with him. 

Brian Jon is just 19 but actively takes part in issues facing the Asian American and ethnic Korean community in the U.S. 

How did you get involved activism for ethnic Korean youth in America?
In September 2017, a teacher of Spanish at Bergen County Academies in New Jersey allegedly told ethnic Korean students, "I hate Koreans." To avoid damage to the school's reputation, the board of education sought to quietly resolve the case. I started a petition that got over 1,600 signatures demanding action on the issue that was later brought to a board meeting.

This process allowed me to gather over 80 Asian youth activists who wanted to empower access to the mainstream. We also set a new goal of not merely focusing on one ethnicity, but embracing all Asian Americans in the U.S.. Thus the Asian American Youth Council was born.

The Asian American Youth Council seeks to represent the Asian American community, having held a Korean flag-raising ceremony in Manhattan in August on the 76th anniversary of Korean liberation and a protest against anti-Asian hate in May.

What is the council's purpose?
The council strives to tackle social issues related to race, gender and politics primarily by raising social awareness of the political rights of minorities like Asian Americans. We aim to cultivate influential leaders in our community and encourage youth to take part in the society they live in by becoming the bridge to the U.S mainstream. 

The council on April 6 holds an event for "Korean Hanbok Day," which was designated on Oct. 21 in Tenafly and Closter, New Jersey, with the participation of council members, New Jersey General Assembly member Gordon Johnson and Tenafly Mayor John Glidden.

Why did you pursue the designation of "Korean Hanbok Day" in Tenafly, New Jersey, this year?
As an organization representing and raising the Asian American voice, we wanted to think of the most approachable method to stem the rise of hate crimes. To commemorate and revive this integral part of Korean cultural identity, we established "Korean Hanbok Day" to honor the traditional attire of Koreans.

Brian Jon met Korea's first lady and the country's minister of culture, sports and tourism last month in New York. 

How was meeting Korean first lady Kim Jung-sook in New York?
It was an honor to be among 11 ethnic Korean leaders to have discussions with first lady Kim Jung-sook. Her gratitude and kind words gave me the motivation I needed to become the leader I promised to become.

kalhong617@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from around the world who share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.