1 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:14,520 Speaker 1: Good morning, peeps, and welcome to wok F Daily with 2 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: Meet your Girl Danielle Moody, recording from the Home Bunker. Folks, 3 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:24,720 Speaker 1: it is hard to believe that today is literally one 4 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 1: year out until the twenty twenty four presidential election. As 5 00:00:29,600 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 1: certain many of you have casted your ballots for local, state, 6 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 1: city elections and potentially some members of Congress that are running. 7 00:00:40,360 --> 00:00:44,479 Speaker 1: It is hard to believe that twelve months will go 8 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 1: by from this moment on and it'll be time for 9 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:50,440 Speaker 1: the presidential If you are paying attention to the polls 10 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:53,880 Speaker 1: right now, they look like shit. And who would have 11 00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:58,240 Speaker 1: thought right that Joe Biden in his administration would think 12 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:01,760 Speaker 1: that using our tax dollars to buy civilians into oblivion 13 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:05,480 Speaker 1: wouldn't be a winning strategy. That when we're looking around 14 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: and wondering, oh, why do our schools look the way 15 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 1: that they do, our roads look the way that they do, 16 00:01:11,600 --> 00:01:13,760 Speaker 1: our airports look the way that they do, our rail 17 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 1: stations look the way that we do. Why are we 18 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:19,319 Speaker 1: investing in any type of mitigation around climate change? But 19 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 1: you got fourteen point three billion dollars right to go 20 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:26,000 Speaker 1: towards war, that that wouldn't be a fucking winning strategy. 21 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:32,400 Speaker 1: So here we are, folks, where we are being forced 22 00:01:32,440 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 1: to make a really critical decision. And look, I will 23 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 1: tell you that my anger is not going to stop 24 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: me from making the decision between Donald Trump and Joe 25 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:46,120 Speaker 1: Biden because I know exactly what Donald Trump plans to do. 26 00:01:46,800 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: I know exactly how he plans to round people up, 27 00:01:49,440 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 1: I know exactly how he plans to persecute people. I 28 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:54,840 Speaker 1: know exactly how he plans to finish the job that 29 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: he started on January sixth, twenty twenty one. That is 30 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:02,000 Speaker 1: not an option, But I do know that demanding better 31 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:07,639 Speaker 1: from this administration, demanding better from this president, needs to happen. 32 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:10,200 Speaker 1: You don't just get a fucking pass, because the alternative 33 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 1: is the devil. And that is where I find myself 34 00:02:13,760 --> 00:02:18,919 Speaker 1: right now. So coming up next, we have a conversation 35 00:02:19,960 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 1: with a candidate for the House seat for Adam Shipp's 36 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 1: House seat in California who next year, in twenty twenty four, 37 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 1: will be time for his election, and that is jerar 38 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:39,600 Speaker 1: Radevosian coming up next to talk about being the first 39 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 1: Armenian to run for a congressional seat. He will also 40 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:51,239 Speaker 1: give us some insight into the conflict and crises in Armenia, 41 00:02:51,760 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 1: where he had visited recently, as well as talk about 42 00:02:56,280 --> 00:02:58,760 Speaker 1: what he wants to see in Congress and what he 43 00:02:58,840 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 1: will offer if if he has the ability to take 44 00:03:01,760 --> 00:03:11,120 Speaker 1: over Adam Shipp's seat. That conversation is coming up next, folks. 45 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 1: I'm very happy to welcome to wok F Daily for 46 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 1: the very first time, hopefully not the last, a candidate 47 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:27,640 Speaker 1: for Adam Shipp's congressional seat California thirtieth district that will 48 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:31,800 Speaker 1: be up for election in twenty twenty four. We know 49 00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:34,440 Speaker 1: this because we talk about the most consequential election of 50 00:03:34,480 --> 00:03:40,040 Speaker 1: our times. Jar Redovosin, I am so happy to have 51 00:03:40,120 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 1: you. You are openly gay, you are Armenian, and you know 52 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: when folks here California, they think, oh great, like it's 53 00:03:52,200 --> 00:03:55,160 Speaker 1: the land of diversity. But I would like for you 54 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:59,520 Speaker 1: to talk about one your reason for wanting to run 55 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:05,520 Speaker 1: and maybe some of both what is pushing you and 56 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 1: some of the obstacles that you foresee over the next 57 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:12,240 Speaker 1: year as you uh work for this seat. 58 00:04:13,400 --> 00:04:15,520 Speaker 2: Thanks so much for having me, Danielle, Yeah, thank you, 59 00:04:15,640 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 2: it's it's it's a pleasure to be with you and 60 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:23,159 Speaker 2: to talk about these issues You're right, California is it's 61 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 2: one of the most democratic state, uh in in in 62 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:30,720 Speaker 2: the country, and l A in particular where I am, 63 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 2: We're we're blessed with so much diversity and strong progressive 64 00:04:35,839 --> 00:04:41,560 Speaker 2: roots across across the city. But but it's definitely, you know, 65 00:04:41,640 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 2: within pockets of different communities, there are a whole spectrum 66 00:04:45,120 --> 00:04:49,359 Speaker 2: of different issues regarding healthcare, lgbt Q rights, women's rights, 67 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:52,920 Speaker 2: you know. So it's never as you know, it's never 68 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:56,320 Speaker 2: as simple as as you know, an Instagram video might 69 00:04:56,440 --> 00:05:00,600 Speaker 2: might might showcase sometimes. I I'm born in raised here 70 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:03,840 Speaker 2: in Hollywood, in the district which is Adam Schift's district, 71 00:05:03,839 --> 00:05:08,840 Speaker 2: as you said, and I'm Armenian. My parents immigrated here 72 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:12,200 Speaker 2: in the mid seventies. My mom's side came from Lebanon, 73 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:17,240 Speaker 2: dad's side came from Armenia, uh and being the first 74 00:05:17,520 --> 00:05:22,520 Speaker 2: born son of those of my immigrant family, that is 75 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:25,159 Speaker 2: something a badge of honor that I carry with me 76 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:28,800 Speaker 2: every day, and it's also a huge reason why I'm running. 77 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:33,279 Speaker 2: When I started the race, I entered because I felt 78 00:05:33,279 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 2: the American dream. And I know people are cynical about 79 00:05:36,560 --> 00:05:38,720 Speaker 2: the American dream, but I still believe in the American dream. 80 00:05:38,720 --> 00:05:42,040 Speaker 2: The American dream worked for me and my family and 81 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 2: millions of other families, and I believe we have to 82 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:47,599 Speaker 2: work hard to fight for it and to make it 83 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:49,919 Speaker 2: possible for more people to achieve their dream. And that 84 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:52,360 Speaker 2: dream can be however they wanted to find it, whether 85 00:05:52,400 --> 00:05:56,560 Speaker 2: it's access to education, healthcare, housing, But that American dream 86 00:05:56,600 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 2: is slipping away from from millions of people. Uh. And 87 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 2: even in this in this in this state of California, 88 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 2: where we have more resources, uh, more more pro science legislators, 89 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 2: so to speak. And uh, and that is that's a 90 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:14,520 Speaker 2: big reason why I'm fighting. I've always in all my work, 91 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:18,479 Speaker 2: I've worked to expand access to equitable healthcare to make 92 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:23,359 Speaker 2: uh society more just. And now it's uh. I I 93 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 2: had I was working in Washington for for President Biden. 94 00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:28,359 Speaker 2: I had to quit my job to come back to 95 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:33,600 Speaker 2: my hometown here because the issues were were so grand. Uh. 96 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:35,480 Speaker 2: And we need more young people in Congress to fight 97 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 2: for for climate justice, environmental justice, housing justice, health care justice. 98 00:06:40,279 --> 00:06:42,680 Speaker 2: That's what's on the line. And how I show up, 99 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 2: Like you said, I'm lgbt Q, I'm Armenian, proud son 100 00:06:47,279 --> 00:06:51,640 Speaker 2: of immigrants. These are the values and the resilience that 101 00:06:51,680 --> 00:06:54,359 Speaker 2: I carry with me as I approach all the different 102 00:06:54,440 --> 00:06:56,679 Speaker 2: challenges on a end of day basis. 103 00:06:57,240 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 1: What are some of the issues that are coming up 104 00:07:01,920 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 1: for folks in California's thirtieth district. Like we know right 105 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 1: that the right likes to create a narrative around Blue 106 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 1: States as some type of hellhole, right as some type 107 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:22,040 Speaker 1: of healthscape, And we know, just like in any place, 108 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 1: there are challenges. There are challenges to housing and whether 109 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:27,640 Speaker 1: or not it can be affordable. There are challenges as 110 00:07:27,680 --> 00:07:31,200 Speaker 1: it pertains to those that are unhoused. What are some 111 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 1: of the things that are coming up for your potential constituents, 112 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:40,400 Speaker 1: for the people in the thirtieth district of California that 113 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:42,320 Speaker 1: you think need attention right now? 114 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:45,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I like the way you framed it, right 115 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 2: because there's significant progress because of some of the policies 116 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:54,480 Speaker 2: that this state has put forward with regards to a 117 00:07:54,520 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 2: clean air regulations. By twenty twenty five, LA's hosting the Olympics, 118 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:02,560 Speaker 2: and so there's a lot of movement around expanding transportation 119 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:06,320 Speaker 2: access and so many other things that they're that the 120 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 2: city is doing to make it prepare for for for 121 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 2: the Olympics. But there are a number of there are 122 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:15,080 Speaker 2: still many challenges. Housing, as you mentioned, is top of 123 00:08:15,080 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 2: people's mind. I spend a lot of time door knocking, actually, 124 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:20,000 Speaker 2: I've been doing that for months, talking to voters about 125 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 2: what's on their mind. People are, you know, people can't 126 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:28,080 Speaker 2: afford their rent rents California is California renters pay thirty 127 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 2: eight thirty nine percent more in rent and then some 128 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 2: other states in their number of reasons for that. But 129 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:36,920 Speaker 2: it's also home ownership is becoming harder and harder to 130 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:42,760 Speaker 2: hold on to. And because of skyrocketing interest rates highest 131 00:08:42,760 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 2: than twenty five years and not having federal tax benefits 132 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:52,040 Speaker 2: for for some homeowners, You're seeing younger people not even 133 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:54,880 Speaker 2: plan for home ownership in their in their lifetime. And 134 00:08:54,880 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 2: that's actually really scary because home ownership is it's a privilege, 135 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:02,080 Speaker 2: but it's also economic security for your house, for your family, 136 00:09:02,120 --> 00:09:05,080 Speaker 2: for your kids, right and and and if young people 137 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:09,920 Speaker 2: are not thinking that that is part of their sustainable future, 138 00:09:10,040 --> 00:09:14,440 Speaker 2: that that's that's something that we have to address. Voters 139 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:16,679 Speaker 2: here are also concerned about education. You know, I've heard 140 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:20,679 Speaker 2: a lot about student loans and and how people are 141 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:26,119 Speaker 2: struggling to break out of this pro pro profit institution 142 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:29,080 Speaker 2: that is our student loan repayment program and and folks 143 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:32,040 Speaker 2: have been paying into it for for eight nine, ten years, 144 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 2: but still have hundreds of thousands of that And that's 145 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:39,160 Speaker 2: just that's just unconscionable. I think, so people a mother 146 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:42,680 Speaker 2: should not have two kids and two jobs to be 147 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:45,160 Speaker 2: able to pay for her student loans and also put 148 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:45,920 Speaker 2: food on the table. 149 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:47,640 Speaker 3: But that I've heard that story. 150 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:51,040 Speaker 2: Over and over again, and just as as as an 151 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:53,640 Speaker 2: openly gapers and I've also been attacked here by the way, 152 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 2: verbally in Burbank, California, of all places, you know. And 153 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 2: and it's because there's so much there the right ring, 154 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:04,600 Speaker 2: the extreme white ring rhetoric that we have seen fuel 155 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:10,880 Speaker 2: the fragmentation and the deep division that that is in Congress. 156 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 2: And we know that a lot of that it's being 157 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:17,800 Speaker 2: fueled by outside organizations that has that has definitely infiltrated 158 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:22,079 Speaker 2: school board meetings here across the state and in this district, 159 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:25,440 Speaker 2: in liberal cities like Burbank. And you know, when my 160 00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:29,320 Speaker 2: husband and I were at Burbank Pride, you know, someone 161 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:31,720 Speaker 2: came to me and said, you can't be Armenian and 162 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 2: gay at the same time, that's just that the Armenian 163 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 2: gays don't exist. 164 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:35,360 Speaker 3: He said, you. 165 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:38,720 Speaker 2: Should be denouncing one one of your two identities right now, 166 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:40,520 Speaker 2: and wow, can you believe it? 167 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:40,840 Speaker 3: Yeah? 168 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:42,760 Speaker 2: And and of course that's you know, in the in 169 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 2: compared to other people that you know, I'm not saying 170 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:48,600 Speaker 2: that story to generate sympathy, because people have to deal 171 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:50,720 Speaker 2: with a lot worse than that. Believe me, I had 172 00:10:50,960 --> 00:10:53,240 Speaker 2: the protection of my husband and the community around me. 173 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:56,040 Speaker 2: But but that but it's just it's the kind of 174 00:10:56,120 --> 00:11:00,600 Speaker 2: narrative that that this this this information system is creating 175 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:04,920 Speaker 2: that is definitely also infecting. I would say our cities 176 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:08,040 Speaker 2: here and I was at school board meetings fighting back 177 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:12,960 Speaker 2: against the parents who were protesting the inclusion of LGBT curriculum. 178 00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:15,320 Speaker 2: Those issues are all alive and well in this election 179 00:11:15,480 --> 00:11:20,400 Speaker 2: and also in cities across Los Angeles. 180 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 1: I want to switch gears for a moment from your 181 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 1: run and talking about your family's home, right of home 182 00:11:29,559 --> 00:11:34,360 Speaker 1: country of Armenia and you know, on WOOKF I try 183 00:11:35,080 --> 00:11:38,520 Speaker 1: every once in you know, in a while, to be 184 00:11:38,559 --> 00:11:43,120 Speaker 1: able to bring in issues of global interest right in 185 00:11:43,240 --> 00:11:49,800 Speaker 1: how different countries are moving, what issues are going to 186 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:57,360 Speaker 1: also affect us here in the US. While I have 187 00:11:57,480 --> 00:12:02,560 Speaker 1: been posting about just the lack of humanity that I 188 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:06,720 Speaker 1: am seeing online that I'm seeing in the world, and 189 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 1: really trying to center people into how they regain conversation 190 00:12:10,120 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 1: and community and all of these things. Someone had posted 191 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 1: underneath one of my messages and said, but you haven't 192 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:20,280 Speaker 1: spoken about Armenia and what is happening there, and they 193 00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:24,720 Speaker 1: were right, I hadn't, And so I want for you 194 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:28,679 Speaker 1: to give my listeners the opportunity of fifty thousand foot 195 00:12:28,760 --> 00:12:33,680 Speaker 1: view as to because you were there recently. There is 196 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:39,760 Speaker 1: ongoing strife and struggle that is happening in that region, 197 00:12:40,080 --> 00:12:41,800 Speaker 1: and so I want to give you the opportunity to 198 00:12:41,840 --> 00:12:45,240 Speaker 1: both educate me as well as the listeners to your 199 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:46,440 Speaker 1: experience recently. 200 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:49,280 Speaker 3: Thank you so much for raising it. 201 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:53,040 Speaker 2: And also, you know, I've always appreciated the way you've 202 00:12:53,280 --> 00:12:57,959 Speaker 2: centered conversations around international issues, in particular on humanity, right, 203 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:00,199 Speaker 2: because we all have a common humanity think at the 204 00:13:00,280 --> 00:13:04,240 Speaker 2: end of the day, and that also applies to people 205 00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:07,920 Speaker 2: you know of Armenian heritage or people who are Armenian like. 206 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 3: Me and my family. 207 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 2: You know this, You know for Armenians across the country, 208 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:16,080 Speaker 2: and you know, there are more Armenians that live in 209 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:20,880 Speaker 2: the US than actually in Armenia. Armenians we have suffered 210 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:25,360 Speaker 2: genocide in the early nineteen hundreds. Between nineteen fifteen and 211 00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:28,640 Speaker 2: nineteen eighteen, a million and a half Armenians were killed. 212 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:34,520 Speaker 2: And so through that awful chapter in our history, many 213 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:37,920 Speaker 2: Armenian families immigrated across the region and to different parts 214 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:39,760 Speaker 2: of the world. My mom's side, as I mentioned, came 215 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:43,120 Speaker 2: from Lebanon. Armians, but came from Lebanon. You have Armians 216 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:48,280 Speaker 2: from Iran, from other parts of the Middle East as well. 217 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:52,439 Speaker 2: Now fast forward to what's what's transpired over the last 218 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 2: four or five years Armenia. There's a there's a there's 219 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:58,880 Speaker 2: an ethnic enclave of Armenians in a region called Nagarnojapah. 220 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 2: You may have seen some Armians referred to it as Arta. 221 00:14:02,360 --> 00:14:05,679 Speaker 2: That's how Armians like myself refer to that territory. It's 222 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:07,080 Speaker 2: got about one hundred and twenty It used to have 223 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:09,720 Speaker 2: one hundred and twenty thousand Armians living in that. That 224 00:14:09,920 --> 00:14:13,480 Speaker 2: was a state that had declared its independence, that had 225 00:14:13,760 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 2: a functioning government, It was autonomous, and it has thousands 226 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 2: of years of history of religious artifacts. They were the 227 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 2: first Christian nation and many other cultural identities that are 228 00:14:26,480 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 2: so important to how Armenians identify, and they had been 229 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:35,640 Speaker 2: living there for over two thousand years. Just a couple 230 00:14:35,640 --> 00:14:40,560 Speaker 2: of weeks before before the escalation of war in the 231 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:46,440 Speaker 2: Middle East, Azerbaijan, which is a neighbor to Armenia, had 232 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:50,360 Speaker 2: and there have been some border scrimmishes over the last 233 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 2: few years, but Azerbaijan had decided to take distract and 234 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 2: take advantage of the distraction that the world was on 235 00:15:01,120 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 2: because of the war in Ukraine. Russia had also been 236 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 2: weakened in the region and was occupied with Ukraine, and 237 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:12,880 Speaker 2: so Osby John attacked that ethnic enclave and one hundred 238 00:15:13,120 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 2: and twenty thousand Armenians over night Danielle or I should 239 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 2: say thirty six hours roughly. Not only were hundreds of 240 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:24,840 Speaker 2: hundreds killed on the spot because of the military onslaught, 241 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:29,200 Speaker 2: but because of the warnings from the Ozibi Jihan government 242 00:15:29,200 --> 00:15:33,240 Speaker 2: that they would invade that territory. It led to an 243 00:15:33,240 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 2: exodus of one hundred and twenty thousand, nearly every single 244 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 2: Armenian in there except for a few hundred, according to 245 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:41,720 Speaker 2: a recent report and a mass exodus out of that 246 00:15:41,760 --> 00:15:44,040 Speaker 2: ethnic enclave that was ours for two thousand years and 247 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 2: into neighboring Armenia. And so now Armenia has a humanitarian 248 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:54,400 Speaker 2: crisis dealing with this influx of refugees, figuring out housing, education, healthcare, stipends, 249 00:15:54,440 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 2: all the things that people need to survive. 250 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:57,720 Speaker 3: We talk about humanity, right. 251 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:01,240 Speaker 2: I was just there two weeks before this on Wow, 252 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:04,920 Speaker 2: and for me it was it was such a precious 253 00:16:04,960 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 2: opportunity because I went back with my mom and dad. 254 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:08,840 Speaker 2: Mom and dad had n't been in fifty years since 255 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:12,160 Speaker 2: they came to this country. They were going through their own, 256 00:16:12,440 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 2: their own enlightenment. I had been, I've been many times myself, 257 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:19,480 Speaker 2: but going through their eyes was helpful and just a 258 00:16:19,480 --> 00:16:23,360 Speaker 2: whole different way of saying it. My Nigerian husband was 259 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:26,600 Speaker 2: also with us as well, and he was experiencing Armenia 260 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:30,440 Speaker 2: and analyzing the similarities between our two cultures, and that 261 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:33,160 Speaker 2: was a wonderful experience. We stood on parts of the 262 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:36,320 Speaker 2: land that are no longer part of Armenia now, believe 263 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:38,480 Speaker 2: it or not. Because we had gone to that border, 264 00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 2: I wanted to see the humanitarian situation firsthand. I forgot 265 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:46,880 Speaker 2: to mention eight months prior to the attack, Azerbaijan had 266 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:50,360 Speaker 2: blockaded this small region, very similar to the situation now 267 00:16:50,400 --> 00:16:51,720 Speaker 2: that we're seeing happening. 268 00:16:53,200 --> 00:16:54,520 Speaker 3: With Israel and Gaza. 269 00:16:54,560 --> 00:16:58,520 Speaker 2: And these people were did not have access to food, electricity, internet, water, 270 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:02,120 Speaker 2: eight months, eight months, and then came the military onslaught 271 00:17:02,160 --> 00:17:04,160 Speaker 2: and so of course people are going to run away 272 00:17:04,320 --> 00:17:06,800 Speaker 2: and come back. And so I want to see the 273 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 2: humanitarian convoy of trucks that were parked firsthand and asked 274 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:13,440 Speaker 2: questions about you know, who was getting in what the 275 00:17:13,640 --> 00:17:17,040 Speaker 2: ICRS was doing for Armenians that live in Los Angeles, 276 00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:18,879 Speaker 2: and it's a big part. Then, you know, fifteen percent 277 00:17:19,400 --> 00:17:22,959 Speaker 2: of the of the constituency in this district is our Armenian. 278 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:25,880 Speaker 2: Many of us have friends and family impacted by what's 279 00:17:25,880 --> 00:17:27,720 Speaker 2: happened over the last twelve months. So it's a difficult 280 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:28,440 Speaker 2: time for all of us. 281 00:17:28,760 --> 00:17:33,199 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's thank you for that. Thank you for sharing 282 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:37,640 Speaker 1: that and providing some context. I think that you know 283 00:17:37,840 --> 00:17:41,959 Speaker 1: what happens oftentimes unfortunately inside of the United States, that 284 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 1: we are so self focused, so self centered right on 285 00:17:46,440 --> 00:17:49,520 Speaker 1: what is happening in our own body politic, that we're 286 00:17:49,640 --> 00:17:53,440 Speaker 1: we don't pay attention unless it is a headline grabber 287 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:57,600 Speaker 1: with millions of people. Do we pay attention to the 288 00:17:57,640 --> 00:18:02,880 Speaker 1: moves right that are being made by aggressive military forces 289 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 1: and aggressive countries to gain land, right to you know, 290 00:18:09,040 --> 00:18:13,160 Speaker 1: to enhance their own power, and they think that what's 291 00:18:13,200 --> 00:18:19,160 Speaker 1: important about that region and what is happening is that 292 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 1: it is also emblematic and indicative of our own instabilities 293 00:18:23,840 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 1: that are happening. That what seemed you know, let me 294 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:32,480 Speaker 1: ask you this jorre like what seemed to me ten 295 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:36,760 Speaker 1: fifteen years ago as worlds away, right when war would 296 00:18:37,119 --> 00:18:41,320 Speaker 1: rerupt or there would be a rush of violence in 297 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:46,280 Speaker 1: a particular region, there was still the illusion, if anything, 298 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 1: of safety where we were in the United States. I 299 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:54,720 Speaker 1: don't feel that anymore, right, And so I'll ask you, 300 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:58,920 Speaker 1: you know, does do these conflicts even though with Armenia 301 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:02,200 Speaker 1: that is a simal for you, But do they seem 302 00:19:02,680 --> 00:19:05,920 Speaker 1: far or like they're at your doorstep at this time? 303 00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:12,399 Speaker 2: Oh? Yeah, no, they definitely feel close, not only because 304 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:16,919 Speaker 2: I'm ourmedian, but but very much because you know, you know, 305 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:21,400 Speaker 2: they it feels part of a bigger, bigger shift in 306 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:25,439 Speaker 2: in in in geopolitics, you know, and and the way 307 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:29,119 Speaker 2: the world is aligning, you know, I've I've read some 308 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 2: people call it, you know, are we in World War 309 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:35,200 Speaker 2: three now? With the way you know, countries are are 310 00:19:35,240 --> 00:19:38,440 Speaker 2: aligning themselves with the West, with the US and UH 311 00:19:38,480 --> 00:19:43,199 Speaker 2: and Israel versus versus you know, Russia and China right, 312 00:19:43,240 --> 00:19:45,080 Speaker 2: and look at the U N. I mean, the UN 313 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:48,879 Speaker 2: is completely ineffectual now. The Security Council hasn't made a 314 00:19:48,920 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 2: single important resolution in years because of China, China, China's 315 00:19:53,040 --> 00:19:58,760 Speaker 2: and Russia's you know, UH impediments. So I do think 316 00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:02,679 Speaker 2: that what is happening, and COVID nineteen showed this in 317 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:05,240 Speaker 2: real time for anyone who needed a history lesson, that 318 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:08,800 Speaker 2: all of us are interconnected, and what happens two thousand 319 00:20:08,880 --> 00:20:12,320 Speaker 2: miles away, whether it's in Gaza or whether it's in Armenia, 320 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:14,439 Speaker 2: is very much connected to all of us. And that's 321 00:20:14,480 --> 00:20:16,200 Speaker 2: why I love your word humanity in terms of. 322 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:17,000 Speaker 3: How we frame all of this. 323 00:20:17,720 --> 00:20:20,280 Speaker 2: So yeah, I mean not that it doesn't mean that 324 00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:23,120 Speaker 2: I don't feel safe, but it does mean that if 325 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:27,400 Speaker 2: if there's injustice somewhere else, as Martin Luther King Junior said, 326 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:30,000 Speaker 2: there's injustice here at home. And so I feel that 327 00:20:30,280 --> 00:20:33,560 Speaker 2: whether it's Armenia, whether it's even even public health issues, 328 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:37,440 Speaker 2: whether even if it's the housing crisis in the US. 329 00:20:37,520 --> 00:20:41,159 Speaker 2: We have forty five thousand people who are experiencing homelessness 330 00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:44,359 Speaker 2: in Los Angeles. That affects me, even though it doesn't 331 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:47,080 Speaker 2: affect me. But if people are in house and I 332 00:20:47,160 --> 00:20:50,520 Speaker 2: see them on my way to work or or you know, 333 00:20:50,560 --> 00:20:53,280 Speaker 2: if they're down the street, for me is that's part 334 00:20:53,320 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 2: of my common humanity and we it's a moral crisis 335 00:20:55,840 --> 00:20:57,720 Speaker 2: of our our of our lifetime, I feel like. And 336 00:20:57,760 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 2: so it's very it very much feels close. 337 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:04,720 Speaker 1: The last question that I'll ask for you is one 338 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:08,199 Speaker 1: that you know has been new over the last you know, 339 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:11,879 Speaker 1: couple of months of a lot of my listeners as 340 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:15,880 Speaker 1: well as myself, you know, struggle with finding hope during 341 00:21:16,160 --> 00:21:20,280 Speaker 1: these times of like darkness and hopelessness. And so what 342 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:24,960 Speaker 1: is providing you hope right now? And what advice do 343 00:21:25,040 --> 00:21:29,800 Speaker 1: you have for others that are struggling to find any 344 00:21:29,840 --> 00:21:30,640 Speaker 1: type of light? 345 00:21:32,359 --> 00:21:35,199 Speaker 2: You know, I you're gonna laugh, or your listeners might 346 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:37,360 Speaker 2: laugh when they hear me say this, But I actually 347 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:42,800 Speaker 2: am not cynical about Washington and as dysfunctional and as 348 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:45,879 Speaker 2: crazy at it as it is, and we just reached 349 00:21:46,119 --> 00:21:49,080 Speaker 2: a new new height of that with the most anti speaker, 350 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:54,080 Speaker 2: anti woman, sorry, anti LGBTQ, anti woman speaker elected. But 351 00:21:54,160 --> 00:21:58,280 Speaker 2: I'm still not cynical about about Congress and about Washington 352 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:01,119 Speaker 2: and the role that government can plain in the betterment. 353 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:02,239 Speaker 3: Of our lives. And I'll tell you why. 354 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:05,800 Speaker 2: It's because I've seen good things happen. I was Congresswoman 355 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 2: Barbara Lee's legislative director for twelve years ago, twelve thirteen 356 00:22:10,600 --> 00:22:13,960 Speaker 2: years ago, and working for her and with her, you know, 357 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:14,600 Speaker 2: I learned. 358 00:22:15,280 --> 00:22:17,200 Speaker 3: I learned so much. She's my role model. 359 00:22:17,280 --> 00:22:20,200 Speaker 2: And you know, we were able to work with Republicans 360 00:22:20,280 --> 00:22:26,600 Speaker 2: on HIV globally to fight HIV around Africa and Asia. 361 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:30,240 Speaker 3: We were able to curtail the war. 362 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:33,080 Speaker 2: Powers that a president has through the authorization of use 363 00:22:33,119 --> 00:22:33,880 Speaker 2: of military force. 364 00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:34,640 Speaker 3: Barbara Lee was the. 365 00:22:34,560 --> 00:22:37,240 Speaker 2: Only one who voted against that, and now the majority 366 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:40,120 Speaker 2: of Congress supports her, you know, twenty two years later. 367 00:22:40,840 --> 00:22:44,040 Speaker 2: So even amidst that this function and chaos that is 368 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:47,720 Speaker 2: part of our democracy, there are there are, there are 369 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:50,040 Speaker 2: there's a hope that I have that because more young 370 00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:53,440 Speaker 2: people are entering the political process, because more young people 371 00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:56,119 Speaker 2: are awoke, because they want to take matters in their 372 00:22:56,160 --> 00:22:58,080 Speaker 2: own hand, just like I have. I had a great 373 00:22:58,160 --> 00:23:00,440 Speaker 2: job in Washington, I left my home, been there, and 374 00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:03,600 Speaker 2: I came to LA where I'm from to run for Congress, right, 375 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:07,160 Speaker 2: And that's because I felt the responsibility to represent. Because 376 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:10,880 Speaker 2: we only have eleven LGBTQ members in the House of Representatives. Yeah, 377 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:13,200 Speaker 2: because we have no our minions in the House of Representers, 378 00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 2: right and so, and we have so many now young 379 00:23:15,640 --> 00:23:19,320 Speaker 2: people in Congress, thirty year olds. That gives me hope. 380 00:23:19,400 --> 00:23:21,000 Speaker 2: That gives me hope because if more and more of 381 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:22,879 Speaker 2: us can be part of the process, be part of 382 00:23:22,880 --> 00:23:26,880 Speaker 2: that constructive change, we can better not only make Congress 383 00:23:26,880 --> 00:23:31,080 Speaker 2: work better for us and make Congress represent be representative 384 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:34,960 Speaker 2: of the people that tries to represent. I think that 385 00:23:34,960 --> 00:23:37,359 Speaker 2: that'll bring the kind of change and progress that we 386 00:23:37,440 --> 00:23:40,320 Speaker 2: all want to see, whether it's in our cities, or 387 00:23:40,520 --> 00:23:43,120 Speaker 2: it's in our country, or whether it's in the defense. 388 00:23:42,800 --> 00:23:43,639 Speaker 3: Of our democracy. 389 00:23:44,520 --> 00:23:48,159 Speaker 1: Wonderful, well, Duror. We hope to have you back, you know, 390 00:23:48,280 --> 00:23:56,320 Speaker 1: as you continue your quest for the California's thirtieth congressional seat, 391 00:23:57,560 --> 00:24:00,240 Speaker 1: and as we you know, kind of look ahead to 392 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:04,359 Speaker 1: twenty twenty four and we are in it. We would 393 00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:07,439 Speaker 1: love to have the opportunity to revisit this conversation and 394 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:11,080 Speaker 1: check in on how your campaign is going. But thank 395 00:24:11,119 --> 00:24:14,679 Speaker 1: you so much for your time today and words. 396 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:17,320 Speaker 2: Thank you so much. Yeah, thanks for being bring a 397 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:19,879 Speaker 2: light on so many issues and on Urmnian issues today 398 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:22,320 Speaker 2: and for everything you do. I look forward to being 399 00:24:22,359 --> 00:24:24,040 Speaker 2: back talk to you soon. 400 00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:32,200 Speaker 1: Appreciate you. That is it for me today. Dear friends 401 00:24:32,320 --> 00:24:36,040 Speaker 1: on woke a app as always, power to the people and 402 00:24:36,119 --> 00:24:40,040 Speaker 1: to all the people. Power, get woke and stay woke 403 00:24:40,080 --> 00:24:40,520 Speaker 1: as fuck.