Densho Digital Repository - Theo Bickel Interview (Densho ID: ddr-sjacl-2-30-8)

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EK: With the next question regarding -- this could tie into your past work as well at the JCCCW and everything and just the JACL, but I know that you're currently working at the International Community Health Services and, from what I know, it seems to be focused on... I know it's working on really closing the health disparities that focus on, for like refugees and immigrants, and just someone who is a part of that and working on safeguarding rights and mending the health disparities that exist within the realm of immigration, what does this work mean to you, and what values do you find in the work that you do? That's just the first section. I have -- that question was super heavy, so I'm just gonna leave you with that and then we'll ask you the second half. But yeah, what is working -- what is being a part of all that mean to you? What values do you find important to the work that you do, while, yeah, working there?

TB: Right, right, right. Absolutely. I mean, gosh, in so many ways, the healthcare field is so selfless, I think really, for nurses, providers, really acknowledging the fact that you're meeting people where they're at and helping them really, in not just times of dire health, but really throughout one's entire life. Knowing some providers that had helped a mother have a healthy birth, and then having the child come in and be healthy throughout their whole life, then having that patient have their children and a provider just being a part of their life the entire time is just so beautiful and kind of powerful. But the work of the International Community Health Services, I think, dives a bit deeper into really addressing health inequities just like you said beautifully, Elaine, it's really about kind of making health equity happen, not just by being affordable or open longer hours, but really addressing the root causes of why there's health inequities in society, the "social determinants of health" is kind of the industry term that we use. But there's a huge investment in ICHS in helping patients really find the needs that they have and also finding care that's culturally and linguistically appropriate for them because knowing from my family's experience, and knowing writ large that BIPOC communities do not have the same health access that a lot of other people have. And so for... ICHS is kind of like an activist and very mission driven space. And it's just been really powerful to be there in general, but throughout a global pandemic, it's been really special. It's been really incredible.

EK: Just wanted to say that, first of all, just like, thank you for being a part of all that. I mean, it's, health, I just, I think it's such an interesting topic to see how hard it is to be healthy. Which, I mean, due to the greed of other individuals, it's really mind boggling to me, I actually, so I am wanting to go down the law legal path, but I never knew what I wanted to do and I recently took a pharmacy class. And it was focused -- I kind of, almost not took it because I was like, I am not a science person. I literally faint at the sight of blood so I don't know what I'm doing. But it was focused on policies and actually learning about health disparities and especially for low income countries and everything. So I really want to -- after that class made me realize that I want to focus my energy on mending health disparities and getting...

TB: Cool. Right on.

EK: And getting necessary medication to individuals. I just, so being able to hear all of that was... thank you. It just reminded me of like...

TB: I'm so excited for you. That's such an awesome path.

EK: Thank you.

TB: I mean, it's such an important way to make an impact. Because you're right, I mean, health is so structural, and laws and regulations that may seem... what's the term? Passive and fair on its surface. It just can be so cruel. Yeah, there's so many awful impacts.

EK: Yeah. So thank you for that. This second half of the question is due to the genius of Joy. So thank you, Joy. But she mentioned that, I think, about something to do with intersectionality and everything. And so I was wondering, as a Japanese American that works towards immigration rights, I was wondering, what does this like intersectionality, if you think there is, of your background and the work you do, what value does that have to you and what does that mean to you? If that question makes sense? I...

TB: Totally, totally. No, absolutely, yeah, I think fundamentally, intersectionality is like a multiplying effect. We have to understand, when we talk about women's rights, it's not men's rights being taken away. When we're talking about civil rights, it's not a pie that's being split, and so people that are enjoying positions of privilege suddenly lose all their pie slices, the multiplying effect. And so intersectionality is fundamentally a way for us to understand how to make the world fairer and really uplift people. Because, historically and culturally, I mean, there's really this long, long line of racist patriarchy in this country, and for us to be able to unpack that and understand what is a better place? I mean, intersectionality is that tool. For me, as a Japanese American, and I'll say that coming from a really core Japanese American space into ICHS which, historically, has been an Asian American led organization, started in the Seattle Chinatown/International District, but really since the '90s, since... well, yeah, okay, I'll say since the '90s, with kind of our growth and a perspective and leadership focusing outward, it's not just Asian Americans that need to be served, it's everybody and all voices need to be raised. And so it's an organization that's really driven towards intersectionality. And on the same page, I'll place that it's a great privilege to work at an organization that's majority BIPOC. And I think that, I live in south Seattle, which is also majority BIPOC. It's something I take for granted, I think. But, yeah, I don't know, it's a powerful place to be.

EK: Awesome.