Cedric He, 17, is a kid who’s curious about foreign affairs, but he also wants to help others his age and younger to understand the world around them — so he wrote and self-published a 30-page book on the topic.
Available on Amazon (amazon.com/dp/B0DM65WZR3), his book “Portal to American Foreign Policy: An Introduction for Students on Their Way” was released last Oct. 7, and he has already distributed 10 copies for free to his former middle school at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Walnut Creek.
“I am currently reaching out to other middle and high school social studies teachers to distribute more copies to local classrooms,” he said.
Born in San Francisco and raised in Walnut Creek with his parents, Michelle Lun and Billy He, Cedric says researching and writing his book took him roughly eight months during his junior year at Lafayette’s Acalanes High School. Cedric says he basically saw a need and filled it.
“I saw a gap in teens’ understanding of global issues, especially in the past few years,” he says. “Many were baffled by the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Gaza conflict and human rights abuses going on around the world, but they didn’t really have nuanced or informed opinions about them.
“They mostly just amplified the particular news channel or social media platform that they had been exposed to, without thoughts of their own. I realized that this was a widespread phenomenon and wanted to do something about it.”
Cedric said he personally also wanted to better understand the logistics and systems behind U.S. foreign policy.
“I always wondered, ‘How do agreements like the Kyoto Protocol work?’ or ‘What’s the impact of the “remain in Mexico” U.S. policy for asylum-seekers,’ ” he adds. “I wanted to find the answers to these questions and share them with others.”
A love for foreign affairs started at a young age for Cedric, who says politics have never been a topic of discord in his home.
“It’s always been a topic of unity,” he said. “It keeps us at the dinner table long after the last bite. We talk about all sorts of topics, from California’s EV (electric vehicles) regulations to the civil war in Syria, to post-American effects in the Middle East, etc.”
“I think for a lot of households, politics is sort of this ‘topic for the adults,’ ” he says. “But my parents have always given me space to share my voice on these topics, and I think this comfort surrounding serious topics was what got me interested in foreign affairs.”
Cedric says his book is unique in reaching today’s youth and that his goal it to give them a better basis for interpreting what they see on the news and hear in the media. Even school courses, in his opinion, aren’t cutting it.
“Most middle and high school social studies classes don’t put a lot of emphasis on foreign policy. It’s usually covered as a very minor subpart of history — typically relating to the Cold War — if covered at all,” Cedric says. “They don’t teach you about international relations perspectives like liberalism, realism, peak oil, class-based systems, that are often key to interpreting current events like the Russia-Ukraine war, the grapple for oil drilling rights and more. Many students also have misconceptions about regional organizations like the United Nations and the European Union and their ability to enforce policies among member nations.”
Cedric’s book covers topics such as which countries are in the U.N. Security Council and which can veto a bill in that body.
“More generally, knowing these concepts provides a better foundation for students when they’re watching the news to make informed decisions and conclusions — rather than just listening to an echo chamber of viewpoints.”
Cedric’s mother, who works in hospitality management at Hilton of San Francisco, could not be prouder of her son.
“I’m beyond proud of Cedric!” Michelle Lun says. “For him to write and publish a book on foreign policy for teens while still in high school blows my mind. It really shows how driven he is and how much he cares about making a difference.
“I love that his book is out there helping others learn, especially with something as important as global issues. Honestly, as his mom, I’m just in awe of how mature and focused he is — he’s always aiming higher, and it’s so inspiring to watch!”
She says Cedric mostley did everything on his own, including researching the publication process with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, brainstorming, drafting and spreading the word about his book.
“But I have always been there for him to help brainstorm or review drafts when he needed a second opinion,” she says. “And most of all I just believed in him and his vision. Watching him take on such an ambitious project has been such a rewarding experience for both of us.”
Cedric’s father, a hair stylist in Walnut Creek, feels the same way.
“I have a younger son, Dominic, who will be a freshman next year. He is already following strongly in his brother’s footsteps, with a strong academic record, and he loves to read,” Billy He says. “I’ve always pushed my boys to pursue their education with a diligence and energy that goes beyond learning in school. Cedric has definitely picked up on that in the past couple years, and I could not be prouder.”
One of Cedric’s schoolmates, Acalanes High senior Hank Bauer, of Lafayette, used the software Procreate to illustrate and design the cover and about half of the graphics in Cedric’s book. Hank says he believes in the book’s purpose.
“I feel like this book is a great way for teens to learn foreign policy,” Hank says. “It gives a simple layout and easy-to-understand rhetoric to convey to an audience. I want to get into public policy, and this book serves as a great way for me to get into this field.”
With sites set on becoming a human rights attorney when he grows up, Cedric says he wants to help those who are underserved and ignored in his community. Until then, in his free time, he says he loves reading spy thrillers by Daniel Silva, hiking, playing piano and exploring new technologies like blockchains and their applications in agriculture. He’s also working on his next book.
“I love the process of writing about topics that are not covered enough or are barriers to entry for certain demographics. I’m currently working on a book on Sino-U.S. relations, which if published will cover topics like the trade war, the implications of Trump’s proposed tariffs, Tik Tok and more.”
Reach Charleen Earley, a freelance writer and journalism professor at Diablo Valley college, at charleenbearley@gmail.com or 925-383-3072.