26

I was surrounded by a group of young progressive Vietnamese Americans/ P.O.C. in Philadelphia when I realized how my journey towards defining "progressive" has shifted throughout the years.

I told the group, that at nearly 26, being "progressive" means so much more than political leanings or being against oppressive systems, being progressive means knowing how to love, knowing how to have conversations with someone unlike you, and knowing how to empathize with them and to feel their pain. Being progressive is not a "holier than thou" stance, but more so being able to acknowledge that someone else's truths are just as real as your own.

Although anger provides urgency, and anger is real and genuine, love is more revolutionary because it is the ONE weapon we have over deniers, haters, and oppressors.

I am seeing that my friends are older, and thus I am as well. I am beginning to leave a legacy. I am beginning to surmount my place on this earth. I am beginning to become a role-model, I am beginning to think about family, not only the one I was born into but the one I wish to create. What values will I plant as the matriarch of this family? I want to be progressive and active and fiery throughout my life, but I want to make sure the center of that push for justice and opportunity for people of color and for women, is immersed in love.

It surprises me how fast time passes and that I'm no longer a "child" but I like it, I like knowing where I stand and I like evolving.