I recall once when I was in middle school my father telling me the secret to being successful in America: own something. He had come from Korea in the 1970s and together with my mom ran a flower shop, raised three kids, and supported our two grandparents. According to him, to own the home you live in or the business you run meant you had a stake in America that no one could take away. And that’s a dream shared across generations.
But the American dream that welcomed my father in the 1980s is so different from what my second generation is seeing today. Homeownership is out of reach for so many. Small businesses are getting harder to start. So many of our young families, and restaurant workers are leaving or getting displaced from Koreatown. And dignified care for our aging parents is becoming a major cost.
And this is exactly why I am running to represent Koreatown in the California State Assembly District 54 for this November’s election. I am asking what so many millennial Korean Americans are asking today. What is my job as the second generation when it comes to protecting the legacy of our parents and creating a future for the next generation in Koreatown? We need elected leadership that is laser-focused on protecting our renters, serving our seniors, and community infrastructure (our sidewalks, subway stations, parks) we can all be proud of.
But for too long, we’ve been told to wait our turn. If our first generation worked hard and built small businesses, Koreatown would forever be our home. If the second generation got politically involved and organized, we’d be given a seat at the table. What are the results? Koreatown is home to LA’s largest eviction crises and our legacy businesses are disappearing. After 60 years, Koreatown has never had a representative from our community in any level of government and the political ruling class actively fights against Koreatown candidates.
Power is never given. It must be demanded. And there has never been a more important time to demand for power than today through this November’s elections. Because our fight isn’t just for Koreatown it’s for all of Los Angeles. We know the power of public transit as seen through Seoul and how it can transform a post-war city into a world-class metropolis within a generation. We know the value of senior care and multigenerational housing, a need shared with our Latino neighbors. We know the importance of small businesses as creators of generational wealth and a greater sense of place and community.
As my father said: to succeed in America you must own something. This November election, we can have greater ownership over our community and the future of Los Angeles by building our political power. Be sure to vote for John Yi for California State Assembly District 54.
By John Yi
The author is candidate for the California State Assembly District 54.
