Episode 217: Her Parents Survived Genocide—She's Challenging a 50-Year Dynasty

Qasim Rashid

06 Apr 2026 — 2 min read

Running for Congress in California's 7th District, Mai Vang is fighting for working people

BREAKING NEWS (Especially if you live in Illinois)

Today I share exciting news of expansion. Let’s Address This is officially launching its first State platform—Let’s Address Illinois.

Led by State Director Dylan Blaha, you can read all about it in his launch post.

Your support made this expansion possible. As corporate media continues to capitulate to billionaires and fascists, our commitment to human rights and absolute justice remains firm. Especially if you are based in Illinois, I hope you will take a moment to subscribe to Let’s Address Illinois on Substack and help us make an impact in the Land of Lincoln. And stay tuned, as we’ll be launching our second state very soon!

Now, let’s dive into the latest episode of The Qasim Rashid Show.

On Episode 217 of The Qasim Rashid Show:

I have the opportunity to speak with Mai Vang, a community organizer running for Congress in California’s 7th District to take on the political establishment and fight for working families.

You all know that part of my mission is to elevate leaders who reject corrupt corporate PAC money and challenge the status quo—Mai embodies that vision. Mai is a daughter of Hmong refugees, who arrived in the United States after surviving genocide. Born and raised in Sacramento, Mai shares how her experience growing up on Medicaid and food stamps, helping raise her 15 siblings, and organizing in low-income communities shaped her commitment to building a government that works for the people.

We break down the issues driving her campaign, from ending endless wars and calling out genocide, to guaranteeing healthcare as a human right through Medicare for All. Mai’s grassroots, people-funded campaign is up against an entrenched incumbent backed by corporate interests.

Watch this inspiring conversation on YouTube:

Mai is exactly the kind of candidate we need in this moment. Join me in supporting her campaign.

Donate if able

The Qasim Rashid podcast has surpassed 246,000 downloads! Thank you for tuning in. Be sure to subscribe so we can continue protecting your human rights, and our democracy.

Subscribe to Let's Address This

Why I BANNED A Subscriber from Let's Address This

My commitment to human rights doesn't come with an asterisk, and I ask you to embrace the same principle Earlier this week I wrote an important piece on antisemitism in Tennessee. A state funded adoption agency in Tennessee denied a Jewish-American couple the ability to adopt a child,

340,000 Americans Said No to Trump's Attacks On Our Constitution

A follow-up on Trump v. Barbara and what comes next This week, history was made — and the fight is not over. Yesterday on April 1, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara, the case that will determine whether a president can unilaterally strip birthright citizenship from children

The Billionaire Media Takeover Is Nearly Complete

Here's how to fight with your time and resources Last year, I wrote about how Trump purged independent journalists from the Pentagon and replaced them with right-wing propaganda outlets. I warned that media bias was about to get significantly worse. I wish I could tell you I was

Episode 216: A Defining Democratic Primary in Florida

An interview with Oliver Larkin, running for Congress in South Florida's 23rd Congressional District On Episode 216 of The Qasim Rashid Show: I sit down with Oliver Larkin to discuss his race against a corporate-backed incumbent and how he is running on a clear, unapologetic progressive platform. We