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Courage Award recipients, from left, Paul Lee, Karen Korematsu, Karen Narasaki, Sally Chen and Jang Lee. |
Harvard students who supported affirmative action in the school's admission policies assures that Asian Americans will have champions in the next generation of civil rights advocates.
The students were among the individuals honored over the weekend in ceremonies in Washington DC with the American Courage Awards from the Advancing Justice | AAJC (Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC).
The students, represented by Sally Chen and Jang Lee, were joined by AAJC president and executive director Karen Narasaki; former long-time Goodwin Procter LLP Partner Paul Lee; and Fred T. Korematsu Institute founder and executive director Karen Korematsu.
The American Courage Awards is an annual event honoring individuals, groups, or corporations for their extraordinary commitment to the cause of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) civil and human rights.
Along with their fellow Harvard student advocates, Lee and Chen testified in federal court — sharing their personal experiences and emphasizing the importance of race in being able to share their whole stories.
“These young advocates demonstrate that the next generation of Asian American leaders is ready to safeguard the rights of our communities and advance social justice,” said John C. Yang, president and executive director of Advancing Justice | AAJC. “From their testimony in the case to their interviews in the media, these students have illustrated how Asian Americans benefit from affirmative action and why we must care about this fight.”
Korematsu was presented with the President’s Award for her leadership in the Asian American community. She is a civil rights advocate, educator, and public speaker. The daughter of the late civil rights activist, Fred Korematsu, She has dedicated her life to carrying her father’s legacy. In 2009, she established the Fred T. Korematsu Institute to advance racial equity, social justice and human rights for all.
“Karen Korematsu is an undeniable icon in the community and her desire to make the world a better place for everybody is infectious,” said Yang, “Speaking up for the civil rights of Asian Americans courses through her bloodline and we are proud to applaud Karen as she continues her late father’s legacy.”
“Karen Korematsu is an undeniable icon in the community and her desire to make the world a better place for everybody is infectious,” said Yang, “Speaking up for the civil rights of Asian Americans courses through her bloodline and we are proud to applaud Karen as she continues her late father’s legacy.”
“Karen Korematsu is an undeniable icon in the community and her desire to make the world a better place for everybody is infectious,” said John C. Yang, president and executive director of Advancing Justice | AAJC. “Speaking up for the civil rights of Asian Americans courses through her bloodline and we are proud to applaud Karen as she continues her late father’s legacy.”
Lee "understands that lawyers have a special role in society, and that part of that role is to pay it forward,” said Yang. “For Paul it is not only about personal giving, but also about inspiring others to join him in making sure that lawyers continue to give back to the community.”
“Karen Narasaki is a pioneer who grew Advancing Justice | AAJC into the powerhouse that it is today and we are proud to have the chance to say thank you as we honor her with the American Courage Award,” said Yang.
“A part of Karen’s legacy is pushing organizations and individuals to do more for the communities that rely on them – a job she did so well as the president of Advancing Justice | AAJC - and she has been instrumental in creating the infrastructure for today’s Asian Pacific American advocacy landscape.”
Lee "understands that lawyers have a special role in society, and that part of that role is to pay it forward,” said Yang. “For Paul it is not only about personal giving, but also about inspiring others to join him in making sure that lawyers continue to give back to the community.”
“Karen Narasaki is a pioneer who grew Advancing Justice | AAJC into the powerhouse that it is today and we are proud to have the chance to say thank you as we honor her with the American Courage Award,” said Yang.
“A part of Karen’s legacy is pushing organizations and individuals to do more for the communities that rely on them – a job she did so well as the president of Advancing Justice | AAJC - and she has been instrumental in creating the infrastructure for today’s Asian Pacific American advocacy landscape.”
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