Name: Kerry Sakimoto
Year: Junior (2015)
Major/Minor: Diplomacy & World Affairs and Critical Theory & Social Justice double major
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
1. What activities are you involved in on Campus? – Programming Assistant for the Intercultural Community Center (ICC), Asian Pacific Americans for Liberation (APAL), Coalition at Oxy for Diversity and Equity (CODE), Student Alumni Relations Committee (SARC), Occidental Law Association, Undergraduate Research through URC, and a bunch of others.
2. What’s one meaningful activity that you participate on campus that you think more people should know more about and join? –
The Coalition at Oxy for Diversity and Equity (CODE) has been one of the most impactful experiences during my time here at Oxy so far. Not only because the group is made up of many of my friends and faculty mentors, but really because these are issues that I’ve been dealing with my whole life. We’ve been doing a lot of great things this semester and I really believe we’re slowly but surely making progress towards creating a more inclusive and supportive campus for students of color and other marginalized groups. CODE works towards holding Occidental accountable to the rhetoric of diversity and equity they promise so many students who apply and end up coming here. And CODE isn’t only for people of color – Diversity and Equity affects us all, regardless of your race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, religious preference, etc. It is the responsibility of the entire campus to create and promote a diverse and equitable campus environment. To truly send a message to administration and create a strong group to advocate for change, we need the support of everyone.
3. How did you get involved with the Intercultural Community Center and what kinds of things do you do there?
I first learned about the ICC through my participating in MSI my before my first year of college. I absolutely loved the experience and the staff during my year definitely sparked my interest in social justice. I wanted to work for an office that advocated for equity and diversity. This is the reason why I applied to work as a programming assistant for the ICC. I’m passionate about what I do there because we’re dealing with very real, raw subjects that often I’ve experienced personally. We create programs and events that deal to create a more inclusive and supportive campus environments. For example, I put together a panel to discuss affirmative action last fall and to open up a much broader conversation about the myths of meritocracy. Everyone always told me to “do what you love” and I think the ICC is a space on campus where I can actually follow through with that.
4. Tell us more about the Multicultural Summer Institute. What was it like to be a part of it?
I participated at MSI the summer before entering college. It was a truly eye-opening experience. Apart from getting a jumpstart on college level classes, the dialogues each night definitely opened my eyes to a lot of issues I never thought critically about before. It provided me with a strong support network of students on campus to discuss issues of social justice, many of whom I still talk to regularly. It’s sort of a unique bond that you’ll always have.
I also came back the next summer to work as a Teaching Assistant – that was definitely a different experience. It was rewarding to sort of pass on the knowledge that my staff gave me to create a “new generation” of socially aware students on campus and it has been a great experience watching them grow and become leaders on campus.
5. You are also part of APAL, can you tell us more about that?
Asian Pacific Americans for Liberation (APAL) started by myself and two others through an acknowledgement of the lack of a strong support group for Asian Pacific Americans (APA) students on campus. While celebrating our unique cultural heritage is certainly one aspect, APAL works towards creating an inclusive and safe environment to discuss issues within and surrounding the APA community and to discuss what it means to hold the identity of Asian Pacific American.
6. November is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. What does that mean to you and why do you think it’s important to have a month dedicated to that?
I think when we talk about race in the United States, we often discuss it as a Black-White binary. That sort of leaves the question, where do the rest of us fit in? APA Heritage Month is a special month dedicated specifically towards the APA community in recognition of our unique history and heritage in the United States. I never had the opportunity in school to learn about the history of my people specifically in the United States so I think these types of events are necessary to provide context to many issues today. And more than anything, APA Heritage Month serves as a counterspace – because we don’t see many APAs in the media, in government, and in other visual spaces, this month is important to recognize the APA individuals and groups in our community and elsewhere who are making a difference in all fields of work.
7. Things like taking leadership roles and standing up for the rights of others requires you to put yourself out there. What qualities do you embrace or think you have that help you with this? –
I think a lot of being a good leader is being very familiar with yourself – both your strengths and limitations. We’ve all been able to accomplish a lot during our short time here at Oxy, but none of us have done it alone. I think the most important part about taking a leadership role is knowing when and who to ask for help. Once, you begin to get more involved, you’ll learn that there are a lot of people here that are willing to help you accomplish your goals if only you ask and seek them out. I know that isn’t the easiest thing to do either, but we can’t be afraid to step out of our comfort zone.
8. How do you manage your busy schedule with your involvement in many student and campus organization, homework, and life in general? –
Haha, not sure I’m the one to be asking about this – I don’t really know how I do it either. There are a lot of times when I don’t get sleep or have to rely on caffeine to get me through the day. It’s important to know when to cut back – don’t do things just for the sake of doing things. If you don’t really love what you’re doing, then I think you need to ask yourself why you continue to do it. Because when you do things you’re passionate about, it makes it that much easier to wake up early or stay up late to get it done.
9. Why did you choose Oxy? –
I chose Oxy mainly because of the diversity they advertised. I come from Hawaii which is a predominantly Asian / Pacific Islander community so coming to Oxy was certainly a culture shock. I really wanted to learn in a supportive community that fostered diversity, equity, and multiculturalism. And although that isn’t always the case here, I think it’s pretty amazing that students and faculty are able to come together to try and change that.
10. Who inspires you the most? –
Definitely my parents. They work so hard and have sacrificed so much for my benefit over the years and I have no idea how they do it.
11. What’s some advice you would give to a student who has yet to find something they’re passionate about? –
Just get your feet wet. College is a time to experiment and really find out what you’re interested in – take advantage of your 4 years here to do so. Don’t be afraid to get uncomfortable because nothing ever comes easy!
12. Fun fact:
I switched majors once or twice because I refuse to take a class before 10am. That’s just setting myself up for failure.