By Audrey Willett:
To All the Asians is all about sharing the best parts of Asian culture and providing a platform to spread love to everyone. Please enjoy our interview with its founder Makayla below.
AW: Tell us all about you and your organization!
M: Hello! My name is Makayla, and I'm the founder of To All the Asians! I began this organization in January of 2021 as a way for me to express my passion for Asian culture and my love for the community around me. To All the Asians's goal is to uplift everyone around us and spread positivity for the beauty of diversity and culture as a whole. We currently have 6 teams, and we would love for more people to join us! I kickstarted the organization and applications about a month ago in June, and since then, we have grown so much. I'm super excited to see where this organization goes in the future!
AW: Why do you think it’s important for your generation to let their voices be heard?
M: I think it is crucial for our generation to let their voices be heard because Generation Z is going to be the future. In a few years' time, we're going to be adults, and it is so important to let our opinions and voices shine. We matter, and we should be able to voice whatever is on our mind! Generation Z is an extremely powerful collective as a whole, and we have the potential to change the world.
AW: Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future?
M: I am definitely more optimistic about the future. Although our world went through some very difficult situations this year, I think that as a society we can learn to grow and thrive from this. We shouldn't get stuck in this negative stage, and it is our job as Generation Z to spread positivity throughout our everyday lives. The future has so much potential, and I can't wait to see where it goes.
AW: What are the most important issues facing our world right now? And in the future?
M: The most important issue facing our world right now is definitely problems with empathy, understanding, and kindness. There is so much hate around us, even in our everyday lives, and we need to do better. I understand that it's hard to imagine yourself in a different situation, but I think everyone should just try. Treat others the way that you would like to be treated. If we all kept these three ideas in mind, our world would become a much more positive and uplifting environment. I think the same goes for the future as well. We have definitely made progress, but there is still a long way to go!
AW: What does your organization offer that helps the world be a better place?
M: My organization, To All the Asians, definitely embodies the idea of empathy and understanding. It is a safe space for everyone and anyone, and my main goal is to educate and empower people about the beauty of diversity and being different. Without different cultures, ideas, languages, food, and clothing, our world would be all the same. Culture is so enriching and powerful, and we all need to be able to accept our roots in order to help empower those around us to do the same!
AW: Will you be voting in the next election?
M: No, I am not of age.
AW: Please tell us all about your current campaigns, projects, and endeavors. Tell everyone where to find you online and on social platforms.
M: Seeing as I just got started with my organization a month ago, we are still fairly new. However, we are grinding out Instagram posts slowly, and we are also working on creating our own website to help gain wider traction for To All the Asians. Our writing and research team has been working hard on new articles and a new magazine, and our content creation team has been creating lots of informational and creative content! You can follow us on Instagram @toalltheasians to support us, or follow us on TikTok @toallthe_asians!
Apply for our teams! There are no requirements or prerequisites of any kind! All of our links can be found here, and this is the Google Form to apply.
Audrey Willett is a southern California sophomore in high school. She is an activist and aspiring filmmaker, and the Social Media Outreach coordinator for The Gen Z Collective.