Regardless of how one feels about President Obama or how one voted in the last presidential election, most would agree that Obama and his campaign staff ran one of the most effective political campaigns ever.
Senator Obama energized various segments of the society, normally not known for political activism, and put together a far-reaching grass-roots campaign that overcame the inherent advantages more established candidates enjoyed.
The current economic challenges facing this country are enormous. By all accounts, how the Obama administration deals with this economic crisis will be the first real acid test of the Obama campaign’s promise of hope and change.
If President Obama fails to deliver on his campaign pledge, it could potentially turn the current generation of young people who got involved in the political process with such high hopes for the future into a disillusioned crop of political cynics for a long time to come.
One of the individuals who epitomizes the young generation who fervently supported the Obama campaign is Jenn Pae, a second generation Korean American and relative newcomer to politics. Not only was she one of just a handful of delegates of Korean American descent, she was the youngest delegate, at age 25, to go to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
While her potential political career is still at a “developmental” stage, Pae is by no means a neophyte when it comes running for office. Pae served as a president of UC San Diego student body and also served as a president of United States Student Association.
KAP recently spoke with Jenn Pae to learn more about her background, her involvement in the Obama campaign, and her experience as a delegate to the DNC in Denver, and for a glimpse of her political aspirations.
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| » Angelica Jongco, Curtis Chin, Jenn Pae, Cate Park, Patrick Wong - Asian Americans for Obama |
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KAP: First of all, could you tell us a little bit about your personal background?
PAE: Sure, I was born in Santa Clara, California, shortly after my parents immigrated to the U.S. When I was very young they got divorced and I grew up with my mom in Modesto, CA. My mom is a nurse, and she has been an invaluable mentor to me over the years.
Even though I was born here, coming from an immigrant family, my first spoken language was Korean. I had to take English as Second Language (ESL) one year and was almost held back in kindergarten. I quickly adjusted though and pretty soon was taking advanced classes.
Initially, in college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and couldn’t decide on my major until the end of my second year. Eventually, I found political science to be my strong suit. Subsequently, I was elected as the student body president at UC San Diego, the first female Asian American to do so at the university. That led to being elected as the president of U.S. Student Association based out of Washington DC.
KAP: What kinds of social issues were you drawn to?
As president of U.S. Student Association, I was involved in issues such as access to higher education, grants and student loans, and outreach programs. I helped to advocate for those programs on the national level, including testifying before the Senate.
I was appointed to the student loan committee at U.S. Department of Education as a student representative. This committee worked on reforming the student loan industry after a massive student loan scandal emerged.
I graduated from college in 2005 and worked for a non-profit organization in Washington DC for a couple of years. Then, I returned to California and have been working at a non-profit organization in San Francisco called PowerPAC, an organization dedicated to promoting democracy and social justice, and building political empowerment for underrepresented communities.
KAP: How did you get involved in the Obama campaign?
PAE: Prior to this, I had never been involved in any partisan work; rather, my experiences were mostly issue-oriented. Like many people, I was motivated by Obama’s compelling life story as well as his message about change. Obama spoke to my generation like no other candidate was able to. Obama’s mixed heritage also resonated with me because it reflected the multi-racial make up and ethnic diversity of this country.
My generation grew up knowing only Bush as the president. And it seems that during the past several years the American dream that if you do your part then success will follow has been lost.
That’s why our generation has such high expectations of the Obama administration. My generation also strongly believes in public service. People of all background joined to support the Obama campaign. The fact that an average campaign contribution was less than $100 is a telling example.
I donated for the first time to the Obama campaign; worked as a precinct captain in Oakland, CA, polling voters, knocking on doors; and went to Nevada, Pennsylvania, and other states to campaign on his behalf.
Through my organizing work, I was encouraged to run as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. It turned out that the district I was running in was the most competitive one in the state of California, with over 100 candidates vying for four delegate positions (2 man and 2 women)—an all time high. Over a thousand registered Democrats came to the caucus to vote.
I ended up receiving the second most votes at the caucus, boosted by strong support from young people as well as Asian Americans voters. I was the only Korean American delegate from California and the youngest delegate, at 25 years of age, to the Democratic National Convention.
KAP: It seems you are an ambitious woman. Do you have any political aspirations of your own?
PAE: [after a brief pause] I came to learn how power plays in politics. We need to support those candidates who will fight for our causes. It is important for young people to get involved, and I hope to stay involved to fight for those issues that are dear to me such as education, immigration, healthcare, and the like.
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| » Boston City Councilor Sam Yoon and his wife, Christina, Jenn Pae, and an unidentified participant at the DNC Denver |
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KAP: Tell us about your experiences as a delegate to the DNC.
PAE: To see such diversity of people at the convention, so much energy and excitement generated from the heated primary contest between Obama and Clinton, it was inspirational to see that and be part of history.
At the DNC, there were more women delegates than men for the first time in history. Obama giving acceptance speech at the convention on the same day that Dr. Martin L. King gave the “I have a Dream” speech was monumental.
Of course the California delegation had the biggest contingent with over 400 delegates. There were more Asian American delegates than ever including about ten Korean Americans. I met Boston City Councilor Sam Yoon and his wife Christina who was a delegate herself at the convention.
There was so much going on at the convention. The California delegation had state breakfast each morning, and then there were caucuses and various training sessions to attend. Of course, the main role of delegates was to attend the convention proceedings. After the convention, my role as a delegate was over.
KAP: Did you go to Obama’s inauguration?
PAE: Yes, I attended the inauguration. It was a very low budget affair, using accumulated mileage to travel and staying at a friend’s place. The event was just insane. Even though I left my place early at 5:30 am, I still didn’t make it to the Mall until the event was already underway.
I don’t remember so much about what President Obama and other dignitaries said; rather, it was the atmosphere and feelings I had at that moment that I will remember the most.
KAP: Any final comments, in particular to young Korean Americans?
PAE: I am truly hopeful about the way this country is going. There is so much at stake, and we all need to get involved to ensure that our government works for us. Because of the changing demographics, we are seeing more and more Asian Americans in politics. I would like to see Korean Americans get more involved in the political process as well.
(c) By The Korean American Press. (KAP)
