DEI Chief Director of Vermont State University is discussing the life in Vermont and the difficulties navigating in the new Federal Administration – Barre Montpelier Times Argus

A: A lot of words come out. I think the first to come to mind is disappointed. Another is confusing. Another is to feel that we as a country have taken a step back in a significant way and there are many more than just those.

Question: How do you feel about the removal of DEI workers at the federal level and how do you think this will affect school institutions and teachers and students?

A: I personally feel sad and I personally feel truly incredible empathy for the people and offices that participated in this specific action and the cascading impact that is happening on other institutions. For me, I think that one of the things that will be really important to keep in mind not only this enforcement action, but many of the others, is the human component of it. These are our friends, they are our neighbors, they are members of our family. They are our fellow citizens that are affected in this way.

Question: It was temporarily suspended, but there was a freezing of federal aid for school. Does that worry you at all?

A: What it was, in my opinion, especially that it wasn’t right. This is not only affected by higher education institutions. These were trillions of dollars of federal funds; They tried to turn off this, somehow in a fallen. And I heard stories about people who rely on Medicaid, for example, about procedures or restorations or whatever, to people who work for the United States Ministry of Agriculture who help farmers … like this really just manages the range of the range of All of these different places and there was a huge amount of fear and panic, not only from our institution, but also from institutions throughout the country. For some people, the very real consequence was: “Will I continue to be hired?”

C. Have you had fears for your family when the new administration took over?

A. I am Korean-American. My wife is white, and our two children are obviously half Asian-American and half white. Our son, who is 14 years old, is in eighth grade and leading to the elections, there were a number of different things that were told to him. He is obviously a mix of Asian and white and in some way, or in some light, some people just think of him as part of the normal group of students. And in other ways, I think he stands out for his name, right? He is really proud to be a Korean-American in some way. But by leading to the election, there were several students who said things like, “Once Trump is selected” or “If Trump is selected, you are fucked because you are Asian or Asian-American.” And many people said things and did not make the distinction between being Korean-American and Chinese. Everything was simple, which just combined after the election. I am absolutely concerned about the potential of anti -Asian rhetoric to invade again.

Q: I read that you like to run. Is this still something you like to do and what exactly does it for you?

A: Absolutely, I love it. I’m an amateur triattele, so running, obviously, is a big part of this sport, but for me it is also part of what I can do to be a healthy person and find that balance. Obviously there is a lot of stress in work, so for me I like to run, cycling, swimming, but strength training is also something I do regularly. And I am really, really grateful for a group of people I meet. Many people think we are crazy, but we meet at 5:30 on Tuesday and Thursday out throughout the year and exercise together.

Question: Are there any qualities that you have inherited or which you bring through your own life and your own personal experiences?

A: One thing I have been so grateful about throughout my life is unconditional love and empathy … Really growing the potential that people have seen in me because I was in high school and even before that. From high school I had a few different people who really continue to encourage me to work hard, to study in the best way, and ultimately, the type of big turn, if you wish, was after this course, which I accepted as a bachelor’s degree student entitled the history and development of racism in the United States of America, where the encouragement was to think about how I can use my strengths, my skills to help really make the world a better place.

Question: You mentioned in a previous interview with the four “ISMS”. How do you think, closely speaking as an institution, do we do it on these, and then wider as a country?

A: One, just a small kind of clarification. These are the four levels and you can use racism, but you can use any other type of “ISM” in this. So sexism, ability, age, etc., and it begins at an individual level. It goes to the interpersonal level, the institutional level and then the system level. And in fact, I think that what we see and experience right now is a really good illustration of how these things are brushed together if you want and operate.

Question: Are there any guilty pleasures you participate in as shows that you love to watch?

A: I want to say that there were not many television these days. One of my hobbies I really like but I couldn’t do is play a game called Magic: The Gathering. I would like to be able to do it more regularly than I am. The last show I just finished was a second season, which is on Apple TV+. This is a science fiction show. And the show was previously a show called “Pacinko”, which is based on a book about a Korean family. And this actually happens on Apple TV+. I love science fiction, love fantasy and this is somewhat related, but my 10-year-old daughter really enters Harry Potter now. … If I could go to the movie theater and see a movie, that’s one of my favorite things.

Q: Is there any specific type of music you like to listen to?

A: Generally speaking, jazz is actually my favorite music genre. I have a pretty eclectic look in music. I don’t know if you are familiar with Lo-Fi, but really, really, I really like Lo-O music. I wouldn’t say I’m Swiftie (laughs), but I really love her music. If you look at my Apple or Spotify music, you will only see many different types of music genres. My friends give me difficulties for this sometimes, but I really like to train, dance, pop music, yes, just because I have the feeling that it motivates me.

Q: Do you have regret for the chosen path?

A: I actually do it. As a student, I was learning to be an officer in the United States Maritime Infantry, and I went through a program called platoon leaders class and finished it, eligible for a second lieutenant in the sea case after graduation. It was the beginning of 2005, when the graduation was coming and I was preparing to do it and decided that I should make that I should lead Marines, I have to serve our country that way. And there are many different types of reasons why I ultimately chose not to accept my committee, but in fact it is one of my regrets because I learned so much through this attempt about the victim and the stubborn work that members of the service must make to be able to to serve this way. It was one of the most striking forks in my life.

Through Community News Service, in partnership with Vermont State University Castleton.

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