Our Time is Now
# THE TIME FOR SILENCE IS DEAD. OUR TIME IS NOW.
I’ve spent too long looking over my shoulder, whispering, "We need a champion. Who will rise up and speak for us?" I’ve been waiting for a hero to take on the system—the system that crushes the weak and bows only to the rich and the political elite.
The crushing realization hit me like a physical blow: **No one is coming.**
I am absolutely finished standing idle. I am finished waiting for a hero. I’ve spent my life following the rules, and now, I’m issuing an order: **I choose to be the voice now. I will be the champion.**
---
### The Cost of Keeping Quiet
I saw the system's setup firsthand as an NYPD Sergeant. I saw how it ruthlessly exploits the AAPI community, precisely because we seldom speak up.
I understand our elders. They raised us on the belief that humility, hard work, and avoiding trouble was the path to safety. But the world has changed. That path is a dangerous relic. In this new era, those who are loud, organized, and visible get left alone. Those who bow their heads, hoping not to cause a stir? **They get screwed.** They are exploited.
We have the world at our fingertips—the ability to connect, organize, and unify instantly. Why are we still scattered? Why aren't we uniting for this fundamental cause and right?
### Sacrificed Like Lambs
Look around. Are you tired? I am **tired** of seeing our mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, and loved ones constantly ignored, overlooked, and abused by the systems built to supposedly protect us.
**WE are constantly being sacrificed like lambs.**
We face harsher judgments, steeper obstacles, and less grace in the **justice system**, the **financial system**, and every other institution in this country.
We exist in an agonizing, frustrating middle ground. Our skin isn't light enough to be accepted by the privileged, and yet we're constantly forced into the role of the perpetual supporting cast. They only come around during election season when they need our donations and our votes.
Where is the defense? Where is the pushback? Look at the dismissal of Andrew Yang during his presidential and mayoral races—the immediate downplaying of our candidates. And the AAPI politicians we do elect? They are either paralyzed by political force or, worse, they are **sellouts**—too silent to bring resources back to the communities that elected them.
**WAKE UP!**
The time for fighting everyone else’s battles while ignoring the crisis right here, right now, in our own communities, is over. The moment to be politely silent is finished.
**It is time to push for US!**
This is my first of many blogs. This is not a discussion; this is a declaration. Let’s make this happen.
***
**Steven Lee**
Former NYPD Sergeant
Lamplighter/Whistleblower
and now a NEW AAPI Advocate
# **IT'S OUR TIME!!!**
