President Obama spoke at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies Annual last Tuesday and explicitly mentioned how important it is to recognize the diversity within Asia America to honor its peoples and to better target policy for each demographic.

And I know it can be tempting — given the success that’s on display here tonight — for people to buy into the myth of the “model minority” and glance over the challenges that this community still faces.  But we have to remember there’s still educational disparities like higher dropout rates in certain groups, lower college enrollment rates in others.  There’s still economic disparities like higher rates of poverty and obstacles to employment.  There are health disparities like higher rates of diabetes and cancer and Hepatitis B.  Those who are new to America — many still face language barriers.

I am still processing the speech. I was in tears when I heard him understand that Asia America is diverse and that each experience is valid. I can’t explain how much it means to me that there is someone not Asian American who understands this, that there is one person for whom no explanation is needed.

I also can’t explain how much it means to me to have that person be the President of the United States of America.