Our Approach
For so long, our stories have been told by others, or not told at all. We disrupt this norm by ensuring that our community leads every step of our process. We center our people understanding that our stories and ways of remembering are valid, meaningful, and valuable.
Ultimately, we act as a platform and catalyst for existing storytellers and knowledge-bearers.
Shifting the Paradigm
What does it mean when we can tell our own stories?
Current Reality
Our stories have been erased and suppressed, and are often told by others.
Academia and institutional knowledge is most valued.
Objective truth is the most important.
CAPU’s Philosophy
Our stories are valid, regardless of external representation and attention.
Our ways of remembering are meaningful and valuable.
What we learn from our stories is most important
How do we choose our stories?
The Asian and Pacific Islander (API) diaspora umbrella is home to hundreds of languages and cultures, so it is a challenge to platform everyone’s stories. Here are the questions we ask ourselves when starting a new storytelling stream:
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We move at the speed of trust. Our people are not a monolith, and it is vital that we build meaningful connections within our communities before starting any program. If we do not have the trust built yet, we will take the time needed to do so.
Are we seen as a trusted organization in this community?
What relationships have we built with existing knowledge-bearers?
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Even under the API umbrella, there are underrepresented communities and intersections. We strive to elevate the most forgotten and urgent stories.
Are these stories widely known by the general public?
Are other local organizations stewarding these narratives, or is there a gap?
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We are a growing team and can only focus on a few communities at a time.
What existing programs do we have or are we planning to have?
What internal staff and external partners have the bandwidth to give these stories their proper attention?