The Colors of Green

A Green Pages interview with Lisa Hsu of the Green Party of California

Why have you joined the Green Party?

I learned about the Green Party in high school while working for Mike Feinstein, former mayor of Santa Monica, California. I would definitely say that it exposed me early on to progressive politics and influenced my academic and career choices. So when I registered to vote, I registered Green. I feel the Green Partyís Ten Key Values are the only way towards creating and fostering a peaceful and sustainable world. With the current global issues we face, we increasingly must consider the Green Party platform.

2. What do you think are the pressing issues of the country?

Obviously, most pressing right now is healthcare. I absolutely believe it is a human right to have access to affordable healthcare. We are embarrassingly behind in this aspect, falling way below developing countries in terms of the cost of healthcare and the number of people who do not have adequate healthcare.

3. What do you think the Green Party should focus on?

I think we need to get out there and have a strong presence on current issues that promote the Ten Key Values. By becoming involved in the national dialogue on issues like healthcare reform and climate change, people will be able to understand better what the Green Party is about and where we stand. I would love to see more young people register Green because they are inspired by our principles.

4. What can Greens do to enhance diversity within the party and in general?

Outreach and involvement on the local level with organizations that support Green issues will help build presence and attract voters. I think itís imperative that we reach out to young people because they are the most open-minded, and they are the future of this country. They will be the stewards of this planet one day, and so they have to be invested in what happens.

5.†With what race or culture do you identify?

I am Asian American– my father is from Taiwan, my mother is Japanese.

6. Could you please give a brief bio of yourself?

I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I am an independent film producer and produced two documentary feature filmsóone on the US occupation of Iraq, and the other on Islamic and Christian fundamentalism.