Space for EVRyone: Introducing… Bonny Chung
This is the first in our Space for EVRyone blog series. To recommend another amazing person for us to profile, reach out to us at info@evresea.com
Bonny Chung is a Civil Servant working in the Department for Transport. As part of her Civil Service corporate contribution, she is co-Chair of the Civil Service Race Forum’s East and Southeast Asia Working Group. Outside of work, she is a volunteer Community Champion for On Your Side, provides an advisory arm to Mingle Bristol CIC and is Vice Chair of Bristol Women’s Voice. She is based in Bristol.
· What is your heritage?
I am British-born Chinese. Both of my parents came from Hong Kong.
· What reflections and experiences have led you to join EVR?
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in attacks, violence and discrimination on East and Southeast Asians in the West, particularly on individuals and small-to-medium-sized businesses such as restaurants and takeaways. I remember the public outcry following the Atlanta Spa shootings in 2021 and felt that I had to do something, to speak out and protect ESEA people from these attacks caused by harmful media rhetoric. Personally, I have also had myriad experiences of racism based on my assumed descent and heritage, e.g. being called racist names and having racist slurs made at me when walking down the street. This has to stop and that’s why I am an active opponent to racism. Thus I am always happy to share my lived experience and to help identify solutions. As ESEA people, we’re often identified as a ‘model minority’ and using our voice helps to challenge that stereotype.
· What does antiracism mean to you?
It means actively challenging racism through engaging with Community Leaders and decision-makers, taking part in consultations and making efforts to change non-inclusive policies, behaviours and beliefs that perpetuate racism. It means working with others to create safe spaces for ESEA people to come together and discuss ways to counter racial prejudice, systemic racism, and the oppression of specific racial groups. It means giving ESEA people a platform to speak and be heard, supporting them to build their confidence to take up space and increasing ESEA representation at every stratum of society. By increasing representation, society will see more ESEA faces on TV, on adverts, on C-Suite Board, etc., which will help to normalise their presence. We also need more role models for change particularly from the ESEA people in more senior positions. We need action at every level: individual, community and structural.
· What is your favourite thing about your heritage?
Lots of things! I love going back to Hong Kong to visit my family there, I love writing (traditional Chinese), the history, and – as anyone will tell you – the amazing quality of food and flavours you get over there. It’s truly second-to-none!
· What are your hopes for the future?
I hope that ESEA communities of every generation will come together to share their stories,discuss problematic issues and proactively work together, alongside our allies, to combat it. It is time to change racist beliefs and behaviours. Ending racism will be a piecemeal and gradual process, but it is achievable if we can put our hearts and minds to it, together.
At the same time, we mustn’t forget to have fun, look after ourselves and each other and to celebrate everyone’s achievements too. There are so many different parts of our culture to celebrate and sometimes that gets lost in all the “serious” discussions that take place.
> You can learn more about Bonny and the campaigns she supports: @microbon365; @minglebristol; On Your Side; @bristolwomensvoice
[The opinions express in this blog are solely Bonny’s own and they do not express the views or opinions of her employer or any of the affiliate organisations listed above.]
