Community advocacy can be exhausting, but the result has its reward that monetary compensations cannot compare. Five years of service led up to this moment, hundreds of community members and dozens of community allies all united to help push for more inclusion and representation for the Cambodian community through better language access and economic opportunities.
This past weekend, on Saturday, July 16, 2022, I had another honor of helping to organize and host the Safe Drivers & Language Access Symposium for the Cambodian community. This event was the joint project of the Cambodian Cultural Center of NC (CCC of NC) with the Cambodian Association of North Carolina.
The event centers on the challenge that the Cambodian community have in getting occupational license and driving license, which slows down their ability to quickly join the workforce and become part of North Carolina’s economic engine.
Issues of public safety also arise with members passing their written driver’s license with the computerized exams by memorizing the English multiple choice questions instead of actually understanding safety rules.
In attendance from the State were Senator Gladys Robinson, Representative Amos Quick (House Minority Whip, Democratic), Representative Jon Hardister (House Majority Whip, Republican), and Cristina Espana (Deputy Director of Equity and Inclusion for Governor Roy Cooper).
Guilford and Greensboro officials were represented by Mayor Nancy Vaughan, Councilwoman Sharon Hightower, Councilwoman At-Large Marikay Abuzuaiter, Councilman Justin Outling, and Sheriff Danny H. Rogers.
Our representatives from State Legislature made a joint statement in support of the language access and community’s request, promising upon return to session next year, to introduce a law to “have government exams (e.g. DMV, occupational licensing, etc.) provided in the Cambodian language.”
Phot Credit: Guilford County Sheriff’s Office
The event was attended by approximately 300 community members and allies. Following the event, the Cambodian Association made its petition available online. If you are reading this blog, I hope you can take 2 minutes of your time to read and help sign this petition to support the Cambodian community.
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